Wood Floor Hardness Rating

Not all wood flooring is created equally.  Wood hardness, as measured by the Janka scale, tells you whether a species of wood is appropriate for a house with 4 year-olds and elephants…or for slippered old folks!

In any case, you should protect your wood floor by laying down area rugs, keeping long-clawed animals out, and asking people to remove their shoes.

It’s interesting to note that some hardwoods are softer than so-called softwoods!

WOOD SPECIES RATING UNIT*
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
Oak, Red Northern 1290
Beech, American 1300
Ash, White 1320
Oak, White 1360
Cypress, Australian 1375
Hard Maple 1450
Wenge 1620
Bamboo, Timbergrass 1642
African Pedauk 1725
Hickory 1820
Pecan 1820
Purpleheart 1860
Jarrah 1910
Merbau 1925
Santos Mahogany 2200
Mesquite 2345
Brazilian Cherry 2350
Brazilian Walnut 3800

*The rating unit is determined by firing a .444 inch steel ball halfway into the wood being tested.  A higher number means harder wood; lower number, softer wood.

Damaged Wood Floor

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