Hardwood Janka Rating Scale

The janka hardness test from the austrian born emigrant gabriel janka 1864 1932 measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear.

Hardwood janka rating scale.

The higher the janka rating the more dent and wear resistant a particular wood is. The janka rating is a measure of the amount of force required to push a 444 diameter steel ball half way into a piece of wood. It measures the force required to embed an 11 28 millimetres 0 444 in diameter steel ball halfway into a sample of wood. To learn the basic hardness of different common woods used in flooring check the chart below.

Janka hardness ratings of wood species. The janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species. In laymans terms it is a way to measure a woods resistance to denting. The janka chart is commonly used in the flooring industry to compare hardwood flooring types.

Although not exact the scale is a good reference for which hardwood can better withstand denting and wear when compared with another wood species. 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. The janka hardness scale determines the hardness of a particular type of wood over another. 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.

Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.