Flooring that you can find in your local hardwood floor showroom varies in strength. As you search to find the best material for your home or remodeling project, it is important to learn about the durability. This will allow you to be confident it will stand up to the everyday wear and tear of the environment in your home. Your  hardwood flooring experts are here to answer those questions you have about how hardness is rated, and what makes the most sense for your home:

What is Hardwood?  

You may be familiar with hardwood flooring, but there is meaning behind where hardwood flooring comes from! Hardwood flooring comes from hardwood trees, which equals, wood from trees with broad leaves. Hardwoods are common in North America and some of the more common types include Beech, Black Walnut, Sassafras, Sycamore and White Oak. Learn more about the various types of hardwood trees in the American Hardwood’s Guide to American Hardwood Species. In fact, according to their research, hardwood trees make up 40 percent of trees in the United States!

What is the Janka Rating System?

The durability of wood is measured by an industry standard rating system called the “Janka Ratings System.” The Janka Rating System, also known as the “Janka Hardness Scale” helps determine the durability of various types of wood. This is important when choosing the type of wood for your remodel or home project. The Janka Rating System takes the various types of species of hardwoods and by measuring pressure applied, rates just how hard they are. The higher the rating, the harder the wood is. Hickory happens to be among some of the most durable hardwoods available.
 

How is the Janka Hardness Test Conducted?

The goal of the Janka Hardness Test is used to determine how much force can be applied to the wood. In Make’s article “How Wood Hardness is Measured,” the test measures force applied to a steel ball that is 0.444 inches in diameter halfway into the wood. The higher the rating, the harder is the quality of the wood.

Most Durable Types of Hardwood:

When choosing hardwood flooring for your home remodel project, oak, hickory, and maple are among some of the most popular and durable types available. As you begin to start your hardwood floor installation project, work with your local company to find the best wood that has the right level of hardness for your home!
 
Ready to find the best hardwood flooring for your home? Ward Hardwood Flooring can help! We are your experts to help you find the best style of wood that is durable and accommodating to your lifestyle.  From antique and reclaimed wood to wide plank flooring and more, review all of our hardwood flooring options to find the flooring solution that works best for you! Give us a call at 303-674-6966, email us at info@wardhardwoodflooring.com or stop by our local showroom! Find us at 29390 Industrial Way #100 in Evergreen, Colorado. We are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and available by appointment only on Saturday.