What Is the Janka Scale & Why Is It Important?

Many homeowners choose solid wood flooring for their interior remodeling projects because of its durability and classic beauty. Wood floors add value to a home and they look good when paired with almost any kind of interior design theme. With proper maintenance and care, these floors can also last for a long time. In today’s post, DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Ogden, one of the top kitchen remodeling contractors in our area, will help you choose the best wood flooring for your project by discussing the Janka Hardness Scale.

What Is the Janka Hardness Scale?

The Janka Hardness Scale determines the hardness of a particular type of wood and can be a good indication of how a certain wood floor can be expected to perform, based on your lifestyle. It was invented by Gabriel Janka in 1906 and was standardized by the American Society for Testing and Materials in 1927. The test for the Janka Scale uses a 2″ x 2″ x 6″ piece of wood and a 0.444″ steel ball. The test figures out how many pounds per square inch (PSI) of force is required to push the ball halfway into the plank.

Each species of hardwood has a different level of hardness. For instance, Douglas Fir has a rating of 660 while Brazilian Walnut has a rating of 3680. However, keep in mind that results may vary slightly depending on the grain of wood that was used in the test. In addition, the durability of the wood floor will also depend on the amount of maintenance it receives and its finish. During your kitchen remodel, we recommend talking to your remodeler about the real-world performance of your wood floor.

How to Choose a Wood Floor

In general, you should choose a wood species that has a Janka rating of 1000 or higher. This should mean that the wood floor will withstand damage from foot traffic, furniture and pets. However, you should remember that the primary factor that will determine how long a wood floor will last is maintenance. Choose your wood floor based on its looks, cost and maintenance requirements, and don’t just focus on its Janka rating.

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen of Ogden is the remodeling expert in our area and we can help you with your interior remodel, kitchen renovation, bathroom renovation and more. Call us at (801) 436-8886 to learn more about wood floors or to schedule a consultation.

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