The hardness of wood flooring is measured by something call the Janka test.
A.444 inch steel ball is driven into the wood in question to half of the ball’s diameter.
Kids and Dogs?
Before buying and installing your wood floor, it really is necessary to look at the Janka test.
Wood floor does get scratched and dented through normal use.
On top of that, if you have kids or pets, you will have increased concerns about dents and scratches.
For instance, Douglas Fir, has a Janka hardness rating of 660 and proves to be the softest wood on the list–terrible for hard use.
At the top of the scale is Brazilian cherry with a rating of
2350.
One wood that’s off the charts is Brazilian Walnut, with a hardness rating of
3800.
Problems With Hard Wood vs.
Soft Wood While it may seem logical to pick the very hardest wood, keep these points in mind: Soft wood can be hardened to some degree by the application of polyurethene finishes.
Hard wood is always much more expensive than the softer and medium-grade woods.
Hard wood is more difficult to saw, drill, and nail than other woods, requiring more time and labor and, again, more money.
Janka Hardness Rating Chart Check out the hardness rating for wood flooring in the chart below.
Higher numbers indicate harder wood; lower numbers indicate softer wood.
WOOD SPECIES RATING
– SOFT TO HARD Douglas Fir 660 S.
Yellow Pine, Shortleaf 690 S.
Yellow Pine, Longleaf 890 Black Cherry 950 Teak 1000 Black Walnut 1010 Heartpine 1225 Yellow Birch 1260 Red Oak, Northern 1290 American Beech 1300 Bamboo*
– Teragren Craftsman II 1307 Ash 1320 White Oak 1360 Australian Cypress 1375 Hard Maple 1450 Wenge 1620 African Pedauk 1725 Hickory 1820 Pecan 1820 Purpleheart 1860 Jarrah 1910 Merbau 1925 Santos Mahogany 2200 Mesquite 2345 Brazilian Cherry 2350 Brazilian Walnut 3800 Bamboo*
– Cali Bamboo Fossilized 5000
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