There are many factors to consider when you shop for hardwood flooring. One aspect that many homeowners forget is the hardness of the wood. Each type of wood has a level of hardness which is ranked on the Janka Scale. Learn how this scale works and what to look for to choose a beautiful, durable option for your home.

A Guide to the Hardness of Hardwood Flooring

Why Hardness Matters

Flooring undergoes a lot of stress due to people walking across it every day and heavy furniture sitting on it. Selecting a floor that’s hard enough ensures that it will withstand everyday use without denting or scratching. Harder woods handle more stress than softer ones. The harder the wood is, the more difficult it will be to install because it’s challenging to work with. All hardwoods advertised for flooring should be hard enough for everyday home requirements. However, if you have special flooring needs such as an area that will hold a heavy item like a piano, you should look into harder flooring options.

How to Select Your Wood

The Janka Scale, which is standardized by the American Society of Testing and Materials, ranks all hardwoods and softwoods in order of hardness. The scale measures how much force is required to push a small steel ball halfway through a plank of the wood. The rankings run from zero pounds at the softest to 4,000 pounds at the hardest. For durability and function, wood flooring should be rated at 950 or higher. 

By purchasing your hardwood flooring with Lakeside Floor Coverings, you’ll get excellent quality for a fair price. This family-owned and -operated company has more than 20 years of experience serving customers across the Twin Cities area. They carry a wide selection of residential flooring options to suit your budget and needs. Their knowledgeable team will help you choose the right material and install it for you. Learn more about their products online, or call (763) 503-0100 to request an estimate for your hardwood flooring installation.