For any homeowner considering hardwood flooring, the Janka Hardness Scale is important information. There is a stronger impact on the selection when you know the scores and the different pros and cons of each score. With this in mind, we at Flooring Solutions of Oklahoma would like to share some of the basics of concerning the Janka rating, or otherwise known as the Janka Hardness scale.
What Industry Uses the Janka Hardness Rating Scale?
In ascending order of hardness, the Janka Hardness scale ranks wood. It measures the durability and resistance to scratching of different woods, specifically. The amount of force needed to embed a steel ball into a plank of wood is the testing done to establish the ranking. More force is required with harder woods, and less force for softer woods, as you might have guessed. While soft woods can be more prone to denting and scratching, the extremely hard woods can be difficult and expensive to install.
What is the Hardness of Different Wood Species?
Woods that have a Hardness of Under 1000: These woods are more prone to dings, dents, and scratches, as these woods are considered soft. The woods that fall under this scale indicate that you will have to be more careful with your floors, though this does not make them unsuitable for flooring. Additionally, softer woods are also more flexible making them easier to install and refinish, though it is also means they are more delicate. Pine (790) and mahogany (800) are the two common wood flooring options that fall into this category.
Woods Having a Hardness of 1000 – 2000: Flooring applications are ideal with woods that fall in this category. You can find wood flooring that’s durable enough to withstand wear-and-tear on the lower end, though it is not so hard that installation is challenging. Teak (1150) and red oak (1290) are common examples. Wood is extremely durable with a Janka rating higher than 1500. Bamboo has a rating of 1600, and with a rank of 1820, hickory hardwood is an extremely durable option.
A Wood Hardness of 2000 – 3000: These woods can be difficult to work with, but they are extremely resistant to damage. During the manufacturing process, they may require special tools to install, and the planks may even snap, rather than bend. The striking Brazilian cherry hardwood has a score of 2820, and the exotic tigerwood has a rank of 2160.
Woods that Own a Hardness of 3000 or More: Needing special tools and lots of time, these woods can be extremely difficult to successfully install. Also, during installation, they are prone to brittleness and may break or splinter. These floors can easily last a lifetime or longer when successfully installed on the bright side. With a score of 3692, on the highest end of the scale sits Brazilian Ebony.
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With this quick guide, selecting a wood preference based on the Janka scale should be a bit easier, and from there, you can pick the right wood, color, and plank size. To ensure your wood floor is properly installed, call in the experts of Flooring Solutions of Oklahoma and let our experts take care of the rest.
