Hardwood Floor Species Hardness

These ratings were calculated using the janka hardness test which measures the force needed to embed a 444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in a piece of wood.

Hardwood floor species hardness.

Here you ll find charts that break down the wood types by density hardness stiffness and strength. The higher the number the harder the wood is this should be used as a general guide when comparing various species of wood flooring. Certain species of hardwood flooring lasts much longer without visible wear and tear than others. It s no secret that hardwood flooring is a popular choice among homeowners.

Hardwood floors offer a classic look and incredible durability that can withstand nearly any lifestyle. Hardwoods are better than softwoods. For hardwood flooring the test usually requires a 2 6 sample with a thickness of at least 6 8mm and the most commonly used test is the astm d1037. Wood hardness chart species alphabetical hardness species by hardness hardness mahogany honduran 800 padauk 1725 mahogany santos 2200 tabaccowood 1750 maple hard north american 1450 rosewood bolivian 1780 maple ivory 1500 bamboo carbonized 1800 maple soft 999 hickory 1820 merbau 1925 pecan 1820 mesquite 2345 yellowheart 1820.

Pre finished hardwood flooring is also generally more durable than site finished hardwood flooring. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. Forest service list the relative hardness for numerous wood species used in flooring. Home engineered hardwood environment solid hardwood species plantation grown seringa.

While the complete janka hardness listings will reveal that there are some fairly hard softwoods and some relatively soft hardwoods in the species most commonly used in flooring the identifiers hold true. Relative hardness of wood flooring species. Each wood species is listed in alphabetical order in each chart with its corresponding related number next to each species. These are harder species.

Throughout the wood flooring industry the janka hardness chart is recognized as the main source for questions related to the density and relative hardness of both domestic species as well as exotic wood species from around the world. Solid hardwood flooring will always be stronger than hardwood veneer engineered flooring. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. The scale was invented in 1906 by gabriel janka an austrian wood researcher and standardized in 1927 by the american society for testing and materials depending on the room where the flooring will be installed a certain level of hardness may make it a more desirable choice.

Make sure to order around 10 more flooring than your measurements dictate for your project.