The Janka hardness test measures a wood sample’s resistance to denting and wear. It’s used to determine the hardness of a wood species, particularly in the flooring industry, where durability is crucial.

The Janka hardness test is used in the flooring industry to measure a wood sample’s ability to resist dents and wear, determining its species’ hardness and durability. 

In the Janka hardness test, a steel ball with a specific diameter is pressed into a wood sample to a depth of half its diameter. The force needed to embed the ball into the wood to this depth is measured in pounds-force (lbf) or newtons (N). The resulting value is known as the Janka hardness rating and is measured in units of pounds-force or N.

The Janka hardness rating measures a wood’s ability to resist wear, denting, and damage, indicating its durability and hardness.

Naturally, different wood species have varying levels of hardness according to the Janka hardness scale. For instance, oak and maple are relatively hard, while pine is softer.

Engineered wood flooring Janka ratings vary by species, but typically a high rating exceeds 1,000 lbf.

Here’s a rough guideline:

• 1,000 to 1,500 lbf: Considered moderate to high hardness. This range includes many commonly used hardwoods such as oak, hickory, and maple.
• 1,500 to 2,000 lbf: Considered high hardness. Examples of wood species in this range include Brazilian cherry (jatoba) and Santos mahogany.
• Above 2,000 lbf: Considered very high hardness. This includes extremely hard woods like Brazilian walnut (ipe) and ebony.

When choosing engineered wood flooring, it’s important to keep in mind that the Janka rating is not the only factor to consider. You should also pay attention to the construction of the flooring, the thickness of the wear layer, and the type of finish applied to the surface.

Concord Flooring routinely conducts tests on its engineered hardwood floors to ensure the production of only the highest quality products. To learn more about Concord’s benefits, request a meeting.