Hardwood Janka Rating Scale

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.

Hardwood janka rating scale.

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 janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species. 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. Janka hardness ratings of wood species.

In laymans terms it is a way to measure a woods resistance to denting. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. The janka hardness scale determines the hardness of a particular type of wood over another. The scale used in the table is pounds force.

A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. The higher the janka rating the more dent and wear resistant a particular wood is. The janka chart is commonly used in the flooring industry to compare hardwood flooring types. The janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0 444 steel ball into the wood to half of its diameter.

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. 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.