The Janka Hardness Scale:
Various Wood Species’ Strength
The Janka Hardness Scale measures the hardness of a wood sample by determining how much force is required to dent it, and these results are compiled to compare the hardness of different wood species, often shown in a visual graph. A higher Janka rating indicates a harder wood that ranks further along the scale. The scale generally ranges from about 0 to 4,000 pounds of force, with higher values showing that the wood can withstand greater force.
How it’s measured:
- The test generally involves pressing a tiny steel ball until half of the ball is sunken into the wood sample.
- The force it took to make the indentation is what is recorded in pounds-force (lbf) or Newtons (N).
- The measurements are then placed along a scale to compare the hardness of a variety of samples.
Pretty neat right?! You may be wondering how you should make hardwood flooring decisions based off these test results… that is why we have our expert flooring team to help you out.
Our flooring professionals are extremely knowledgeable about which type of hardwood is best suited for certain lifestyles, whether it’s high traffic areas and homes filled with pets running around, or areas that support heavy furniture or objects. Talk to our design team today about the Janka Hardness scale and which hardwood is best suited for your home.