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Hardwood Flooring Hardness Levels Tips
Harder is Not Always Better
You want your hardwood floor to look good for a long time. Your first instinct might be to simply choose the hardest wood possible to ensure its long-time sturdiness and durability. However, buying a hard, solid wood floor may not necessarily reduce the need for extra special caring over the years. For example, maple is a wood that is harder than, say, oak. But because maple is a clearer wood, scuffs, dents, and dings may show up quicker than on a darker-grained wood like oak. The result is that even though you have a harder wood on your floor, you'll still end up having to refinish it more often that a softer choice that has a darker grain that can better mask normal wear markings.
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Why Hardness Matters
When testing hardwood flooring, the direction of the grain will determine the result of the testing. For example, testing with force perpendicular to the grain results in what is called a plank’s “side hardness.”
The Janka hardness test is a method used to determine the wood’s hardness. The higher the number of the test, the harder the wood is, and the more resistant to a saw or nail it is.
Another test is called “end testing,” when the force is exerted against the surface of a stump of wood. Typically, wood’s side hardness is less strong than its end hardness. Since you’ll be installing wood side-up, pay closer attention: Hardness ratings are to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.
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Brinell Numbers
One of the methods by which hardwood floors are measured for hardness was created by Swedish designer, Johann A. Brinell in 1910. Originally developed to test the hardness of metal, the procedure involves placing a hardened steel ball on a flat surface of the metal to be tested. The diameter of the dent made by the ball is measured, and the result is what is known as the "Brinell" number.
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To Sand or Not to Sand
When choosing the hardness level of your hardwood floor, you’ll need to know how much wear-and-tear that room will receive. Clearly, a dining room won’t need flooring as hard as a home dance studio, for example. Keep in mind, too, that some wood is naturally harder than any finish you may be applying to it. Why is this important? Knowing how hard you floor is before you apply a finish can prevent unnecessary sandings for future refinishing. If you know you have a sturdy hardwood floor, you may be able to get away with simply screening and refinishing rather than sanding. Softer wood that has been scuffed or dented over time will need sanding and refinishing. The moral of the story? Before you install your flooring, know what strength of wood you need and what you’ll need to keep it healthy!
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Janka Hardness Test
Using the original Brinell test to measure the hardness of metal, Janka developed a similar method to specifically measure the hardness of wood. It’s a standard still used today. In Janka’s test, the force expressed to press a 11.28 mm-diameter steel ball into the wood being tested into a depth of half the ball's diameter give you the result of the wood’s hardness level.
Be aware that different countries have alternate ways of noting the results. The US measures in “pounds-force.” Australia uses newtons (N) or kilonewtons (kN). And in Sweden, the results are marked in “kilogram-force” (kgf). Alternately, you may find standardized results, where the measurement is noted in “Janka,” such as “250 Janka.”
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Dogs and Hardwood Flooring
If you have dogs, you may wonder how wise it is to redecorate your home with hardwood floors. The good news is that dogs and hardwood floors can live in perfect harmony! Here are a few pointers:
Match your dog and your wood. Not colors (!), but weight. The larger your dog, the harder wood you should purchase.
Consider prefinished hardwood. In this process, a varnish is baked onto the wood at a very high temperature, making it extremely durable.
Have your flooring installed with the “Lock & Fold” method (an ingenious process offered with Armstrong flooring), so that minimal dirt will get trapped between the planks.
Keep hair and dirt to a minimum by regular sweeping and/or vacuuming.
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Solid Wood = Stronger Wood?
If you think solid wood flooring is naturally stronger and harder than engineered wood flooring, think again. While solid wood does offer the solidity of one complete piece of milled lumber, engineered wood combines several layers or "plies" of wood in the planks. Solid wood comes in widths from 2-1/4" to 5" wide and have standard thickness of around 3/4". The overriding benefits of solid wood are its "natural" state, as well as the fact that it can be sanded and refinished over time. Alternately, a coat of urethane can be added and reapplied to the flooring, which reduces the cost of full sanding and refinishing.
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How Hard is Hardwood Flooring?
Hardwood flooring is extremely durable by (nature's) design. However, different species of tree (or plant, in the case of bamboo) have different levels of hardness. Use the list of popular hardwoods below to determine which species might be right for your home or office needs:
