Timber Flooring Hardness Rating

The scale used in the table is pounds force.

Timber flooring hardness rating. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. Balsa wood a wood commonly used in crafts ranks at 100 on the scale making it the softest wood on many scales. The janka hardness test is the industry standard for determining the ability of a particular timber species to withstand denting and wear. Janka hardness ratings of wood species it is important to remember that the testing process used in the janka scale is an impact test not a test of scratching scuffing or any other wear and tear that flooring experiences.

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. Even though a janka rating of 8 is considered hard many australian timber species achieve ratings of 12 and above. This test measures the force required to embed an 11 28mm 0 444 in steel ball to half its depth into wood. While this type of wood would not be used for flooring it is easy to see why a rating of 1000 or higher is the standard for flooring options.

In general terms a medium density timber will have a janka rating of 4 to 8 whilst a high density timber achieves a rating of 8. 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. Below are listed the relative hardness for numerous wood species used in flooring.

Hardness rating the hardness of a timber is measured by the janka hardness test. These ratings were done using the janka hardness test. 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. The higher the janka rating the harder the timber species.

The janka hardness test measures the force required to embed a 444 inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood. The janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species. The janka hardness scale is a test used to determine the hardness and density of a hardwood timber and bamboo floor. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating.

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.