Product Info : Hardwood Durability
How Durability is Measured
The Janka harness test measures the hardness of wood. The test results are not exact but do provide an excellent reference when comparing one species against another. The Janka chart is commonly used in the flooring industry to compare hardwood flooring types. The higher the Janka rating, the more dent and wear resistant a particular wood is. Additionally, the Janka test can determine how malleable the wood is in regard to nailing and sawing. Typically the hardwood species on the lower end of the chart (Pine, Cherry, and Walnut) tend to be easier to work with for installers.
Janka Explained
High: Anything with a rating above 1800 can be classified as a really durable hardwood. You’ll find many exotic hardwoods in this class including Ipe, Brazilian Teak, Brazilian Cherry, Santos Mahogany, and others. These hardwoods are good for every application from high traffic businesses to homes with kids, pets, and heavily used rooms.
Medium: Filling in the middle ground of the Janka Scale are hardwoods rated between 1200 and 1800. This class is perfect for normal residential applications. This level offers many popular domestic hardwoods like Hickory, Maple, Red and White Oak. There are a couple recognizable exotics in this class including Australian Cypress, Wenge, and Kempas.
Low: This classification is for any hardwoods with a rating less than 1200. This range is obviously best for low-traffic areas. The 3 most popular hardwoods in this class include Walnut, Cherry, and Pine.