The Janka Hardness Scale: What You Should Know

If you plan on shopping for hardwood floors for your Frisco home, then you’ll want to educate yourself on the Janka hardness scale. This rating system is used across the flooring industry and allows you to compare different hardwood species. But what do the ratings mean? And to what degree should you consider them when choosing new flooring? Read on for answers from the Floor Coverings International® of experts.

What is the Janka Scale?

The Janka hardness scale is a system for measuring and comparing the hardness of different wood species. In this system, a particular species is tested to calculate the force required to embed a .444 inch steel ball halfway into the wood. According to these ratings, the higher the number, the tougher the wood is.

3 More Things to Consider

• Why are these ratings significant to hardwood flooring? It is believed that the tougher the wood is, the better it will resist scratching and denting, and the more difficult it will be to nail and saw. So if you are concerned about the potential damage being done to your floors, you may want to look for a wood species that is higher on the Janka scale.
• Is there really that much variation in the toughness of different wood species? The truth is that hardwood flooring is generally very durable and long-lasting, but that different species vary in toughness. Thus, they will react slightly differently to dropped objects, heavy foot traffic, and changing temperature and humidity. Depending on your needs, this may or may not be a concern.
• To what degree should I consider Janka ratings when choosing a hardwood floor? If durability is your primary concern, then you should certainly consider Janka ratings when learning about different floor types. However, they are not the only factor that can affect your floors’ durability. Plank construction and finish are also important.

Want to learn more about the Janka ratings of common hardwoods? Call our team at Floor Coverings International® of ! We’ll be happy to guide you through the process of buying hardwood flooring for your Frisco home.