Sapele is one of those wood species that hardwood enthusiasts get genuinely excited about — and the Ideal Wood Classic Collection Leather brings out the best of it. The interlocked grain creates an almost iridescent ribbon figure that you simply can't replicate in vinyl or laminate.

• African Sapele species — naturally harder than most North American species (Janka ~1410 lbf), handles real foot traffic and resists surface dents better than oak
• Engineered multi-ply construction — can be installed over radiant heat and below grade where solid hardwood can't go; more dimensionally stable in humidity swings
• Leather tone — warm, deep cognac-brown with the characteristic ribbon figure that shifts in the light as you move through the room

Pro Tip: Sapele's interlocked grain can cause tearout if machined against the grain — this matters at install time. When cutting, always score with a sharp blade before ripping or crosscutting to prevent edge chipping on the face. A fine-tooth saw blade (60+ tooth for a 10" blade) is worth it with this species. Earn 3% back with YourFloors Rewards. Ships from Canadian warehouses.