The wood hardness scale was designed by Austrian Gabriel Janka. It is used to determine the resistance of your wood species to impacts.
But beware! The most durable wood is not always the most suitable. It all depends on how it’s used.
How does the Janka wood hardness scale work?
The Janka hardness test measures the force required to embed half the diameter of a 0.444-inch (11 mm) steel ball into the wood. Elle se mesure en pound-force (lbf).
A hardness of 0 lbf corresponds to zero resistance. Exotic wood species, such as ipe, lapacho, or cumaru, are the most resistant wood species. They have a hardness close to 4000 lbf.
Is a more resistant wood species necessarily the best choice?
A wood species more resistant to impacts is also more difficult to work with. Therefore, it all depends on how you intend to use your wood.
The softest wood species, such as balsa or pine, are widely used in crafts because they are easier to carve. Conversely, the most durable wood species will be more often used to build patios, decks, or pergolas, as these require very high impact resistance.
It is important to mention, however, that despite its very good resistance to water and UV, ipe can be very vulnerable to dry winters. Cumaru can also be attacked by powder post beetles. These beetles are very harmful and difficult to detect.
What is the best wood species for a hardwood floor?
For interior hardwood floors, it is preferable to choose a wood species that is sufficiently resistant, but not too difficult to work with. Therefore, native hardwood species such as oak, beech, ash, or hard maple are preferred.
However, these are sensitive to humidity variations. Make sure to maintain a constant humidity level to prevent the wood from cracking or squeaking. We will also use a varnish to waterproof the wood and protect it from scratches and scuffs.
If the environment is important to you, bamboo could be a species to prioritize, as it renews very quickly. Indeed, it reaches maturity after 5 years while other tree species can take up to 50 years.
For your hardwood floors, trust l’Artisan du plancher!
For over 3 generations, l’Artisan du plancher has specialized in installation and repair of floors. Our mission is to offer our customers floors of exceptional quality. Nos experts dévoués sont attentive to your needs and regularly adjusting to market trends. If you need to have a wooden floor installed, discuss with us now
to request a free evaluation. We will be happy to answer all your questions to offer you the service that meets your expectations. Your satisfaction is the only thing that matters to us.
