Looking for a wood floor that shouts individuality and high-end design?

Try one that will bring out the purple in your sofa or compliments a safari theme in your family room.

There are many types of unique woods that are grown in the United States or imported from other countries, such as Australia and Brazil. Typically the cost is higher than the more common oak floor and can range as high as $20 or more per square foot. Among the choices are:

AUSTRALIAN CYPRESS

A unique wood that is imported from Australia and has a cream-color wood with hard knots. "It's a great substitute for pine for people who want a rustic look," said Mark Dittmer, general manager for the Chicago region of The Bahr Company, a flooring company.

It also is harder and has less grain than pine. The cost typically is 20 to 30 percent more than red oak, which averages $5 to $6 per square foot. It also has a lot of dark and light shades, which gives it a lot of character.

IPE

Ipe (pronounced EE-pay) is considered one of the hardest woods available and has a rich brown color with a plain grain. It’s also known as ironwood. "It's extremely hard -- it's like putting bricks down on your floor," Dittmer said. The cost is approximately $10 to $12 per square foot.  

While the hardness is important, it is not the selling point for consumers. "It's more for differentiation," Dittmer said. "Your neighbor doesn't have it and, boy, it looks great."

BRAZILIAN CHERRY

Brazilian cherry is brown with orange to red tones that create a warm look. It can be used in a kitchen to contrast with maple cabinets and pull out the dark tones of a black granite countertop.

PURPLEHEART

Purpleheart typically has a deep purple color, but also can include some brown tones. It has a straight grain with a medium to fine texture. Often it is used as part of a contemporary design to provide a contrast against lighter woods.

"You could put it with an oak, maple or ash floor," Dittmer said. "Today with homes having large, open areas you could add it around a fireplace or kitchen island and it can define a room a little better."

ZEBRA AND EBONY

Other exotic woods, such as zebra and ebony, typically are used to accent other woods, Dittmer said. Zebra wood has black and light tan colored stripes, while ebony has a deep black color.  Either could be used with oak, maple or ash. "They're high-dollar floors -- you're talking about $10, $15 to $20 a square foot for the material without installation."

TEAK

Teak has a yellowish-brown tone and comes from Asia. "It's used on boats and has lots of natural oils and tannins that make it resistant to rot,"  said Rick Baumgarten, president of Lee Lumber & Building Material Corp. in Chicago. 

To reduce the cost, spend the extra money on teak kitchen cabinets rather than adding an entire floor in teak. A teak accent strip on a light colored floor will help blend the floor with the cabinets without the additional cost of teak throughout the floor. It also can help compliment a black countertop or stainless steel appliances.

Some Design Ideas

Try adding a one-inch strip of an exotic wood around a more traditional oak, maple or ash floor. The floor also can include ornate inlays at each exterior corner that are made from several types of wood. This typically works best when the inlays are darker than the main floor.