The janka hardness test provies a relative scale where the higher the number indicates the harder the wood. This method results in an indention 100 square millimeters in size. This scale is the worldwide standard for gauging the ability of various species of wood to endure normal wear and tear. The pale yellow sapwood is very wide and sharply demarcated from the heartwood.
Today, consumers of hardwood floors are on the hunt for a really high janka hardness rating. The janka hardness test measures the resistance of a type of wood to withstand denting and wear. The janka hardness chart was created as a result of the janka hardness test. A measure of the hardness of wood, produced by a variation on the brinell hardness test. The janka test measures the amount of force required to embed a 0. The janka scale gives a good indication of how well a wood species can be expected to withstand dents and dings. The brinell test is very useful for construction materials. There may be variations of more or less than 20% on the scale, since this is a scientific test. The hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain. Spalting and other discoloration are very common in the sapwood, and the majority of the. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand dent ing and wear. This test measures the force required to embed an 11. The test measures the force required to push a steel ball with a diameter of 11. The janka test measures the force required to embed a.
The hardness is determined by the amount of clay added to the pencil leads during production, the more clay then the harder the pencil. Janka wood hardness scale quality amish furniture hardness. The janka test was developed as a variation of the brinell hardness test. Find your fine hardwood where craftsmanship is still a human art. To say 1100 to 1200 ilb foot is a not a real good figure, because this is the strenth of oak 1140 and that brings us to the queation, what is the janka on plywood, it s going to be the same as rel wood. For example, balsa wood, which is extremely lightweight and used for crafts, is one of the lowest on the scale. The janka wood hardness scale woodwudy wholesale flooring.
Janka hardness chart click to load enlarged pdf file. The higher the force one needs in order to push the ball halfway into the wood, the harder it is. The higher the number, the harder and generally more durable the wood will be. It evolved from the brinell scale, a standardised hardness test developed for the engineering and metallurgy fields and has been in use since 1922 and became an astm standard in 1927. Janka hardness using nonstandard specimens forest products. The janka hardness scale measures the force thats required to embed a. Janka hardness scale janka hardness measurements reflect the number of pounds pressure it takes to press a. The janka rating is a measure of the amount of force required to push a. This test is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood specie to withstand denting and wear. It is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good indication of the effort required to work nail, saw, carve, etc. The hardness of solid wood is measured according to a system called the janka scale. Janka values hardness, or janka value is measured with a test of resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear.
The janka scale ranks the hardness of a wood species. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring. The feel of a pencil and the mark it makes on paper is dependent on the blend and ratio of those two products. Drawing inferences from the drygreen ratios requires caution. Depending on the room where the flooring will be installed, a certain level of hardness may make it a more desirable choice. To give some quantification to the issue of wood species hardness, the lumber industry created the janka hardness scale a standard now widely accepted as the best means of ranking a woods hardness. The janka rating scale was created to rank the various degrees of hardness throughout the different species of hardwoods.
Basically, the scale should be used as an overall guide for durability. Janka wood hardness chart hosking hardwood flooring. For example, balsa wood, which is extremely lightweight and used for crafts, is one of the lowest on the scale at 100 lbs. Georgia luthier supply, quality guitar plans, tools, and. The janka hardness test from the austrianborn emigrant gabriel janka, 18641932 measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. F101 janka hardness scale lumber liquidators flooring co. Below is an illustration that shows what the janka hardness test looks like. The actual number listed in the wood profile is the amount of poundsforce lb f or newtons n required to imbed a. Janka wood hardness scale janka rating for all species.
In laymans terms it is a way to measure a woods resistance to denting. Prefabricated garage portable garage kits garage plans prefab garage. Australian buloke lignum vitae guayacan pockenholz patagonian rosewood. The janka hardness rating indicates how high the relative hardness of a wood species is.
The hardest commercially available hardwood is hickory, and it is five times harder than aspen, one of the soft hardwoods. The scale was created to show the janka hardness test results. Janka rating system when in doubt about the type of wood to select for your cabinetry, flooring, furniture or millwork project, refer to the janka rating system, which measures the relative hardness of woods. Hardwood flooring hardness guide janka hardness scale. To find this number, a steel ball is pushed halfway into a 2 x 2 x 6 wood plank. The janka test measures the hardness of wood so that wood species can be compared to one another. These ratings were calculated using the janka hardness test, which measures the force needed to embed a. Here is a printable pdf of 75 types of wood ranked by janka hardness and. Hickory pecan, satinwood 1820 afzelia doussie australian wormy chestnut 1810 bangkirai 1798 rosewood 1780 african padauk 1725 blackwood 1720 merbau 1712 kempas 1710 black locust 1700 highland beech 1686 wenge, red pine, hornbeam 1630 tualang 1624. The following chart will give you a hardness measurement. 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. Does hardwood floor hardness matter lauzon flooring.
The janka chart is commonly used in the flooring industry to compare hardwood flooring types. Similar to a laminate ac rating, the hardwood floor hardness determines the durability of the species. By the same token, it also is a good indicator of how hard or easy a species is to saw or nail. Janka hardness poundsforce australian buloke 5060 schinopsis balansae quebracho colorado red quebracho 4570 lignum vitae guayacan pockenholz 4500 patagonian rosewood curupay angico preto piptadenia macrocarpa brazilian tiger mahogany 3840 snakewood letterhout piratinera guinensis 3800 brazilian olivewood 3700 brazilian ebony 3692. The hardness of wood uc research repository university of. The number of pounds per square inch psi needed to push the steel ball into the wood determines the janka rating. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring the hardness of wood varies with. The janka test is often used to deduce bamboo flooring hardness. The janka hardness scale is commonly used in the flooring industry as a way to compare types of hardwood flooring for both practical durability and for the woods. Estimating janka hardness from specific gravity for. The janka hardness scale runs from zero softest to 4,000 lbs hardest. The janka hardness values and hardness grades for some common wood species.
The janka scale ranks the hardness of a wood species the spruce. Jun 30, 2015 the janka rating scale was created to rank the various degrees of hardness throughout the different species of hardwoods. Janka hardness scale learn how hard each wood species is. Cds 2 2012 result pdf basisvaardigheden toegepaste statistiek pdf files. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. The janka hardness scale determines the hardness of a particular type of wood over another. Janka hardness scale for wood side hardness chart of some woods usda wood. Currently side hardness, determined using the janka test, is a primary method used to. It is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good. Janka events, although mainly used for hardwood species, are often used to measure the density of bamboo floors. The janka hardness scale should not be the deciding factor on which wood you will use for floors. Meyers hardness test determined the fundamental measure of violence depending on the average pressure applied to induce reentry.
Woods with a low rating on the wood hardness scale are those that will dent and scratch most easily. Results no difference in janka hardness was found for thickness values of 1, 1. Acacia mangium, more commonly known as black wattle in the us, has a 1750 janka hardness rating and is dried to 12 percent moisture for use as flooring. The janka test measures the force n, lb f required to embed an 11. For nine species afrormosia elata, casta nea sativa, guarea excelsa, shorea acuminatissima. It is also a good indicator of how hard or easy a species is to saw or nail. The test also determines how well wood can withstand dents, dings, and wear. While a harder wood will be more durable, it will also be harder to work with. Common red oak with an average janka rating of 1290 is the industry benchmark lor comparing the relative hardness of different wood species bamboo tested on morning star bamboo brand which uses a more mature bamboo 4 year minimum the most commonly used test to assess the hardness of wood is the janka rating. The highest rating on the scale is a 4000, making for an extremely hard wood, also not likely suitable for flooring because. The janka hardness scale starts at zero, with this option being the softest wood choice, making it easy to dent and scratch.
The janka hardness scale often referred to as the janka hardness list is an industry wide measurement of the hardness of wood. The janka hardness test is used to measure the capacity of different species of wood to withstand pressure. The scale can be helpful when picking a wood for high traffic areas. Although not exact, the scale is a good reference for which hardwood can. Janka hardness scale for wood flooring species county floors. Common red oak with an average janka rating of 1290 is the industry benchmark lor comparing the relative hardness of different wood species bamboo tested on morning star bamboo brand which uses a more mature bamboo 4 year minimum. The janka rating is the most commonly used test to access the relative hardness of wood. The less strenth is bolas only 100 lb feet janka hardness. Though no wood on the scale has this rating, a rating like this would not make for a good floor. The higher the janka rating, the more resistant that particular wood is. The higher the number on the scale, the harder the wood. Beginners guide to pencils pencil grades cw pencil.
The janka hardness scale is a measurement of the force necessary to embed a. Heartwood is a deep reddish brown, sometimes with a purplish hueheartwood portions of tamarind tend to be narrow and are usually only present in older and larger trees. 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 astm. The janka hardness test is a measurement of the force necessary to embed a. The hb graphite grading scale is used to determine the hardness and the darkness of pencils. Janka hardness scale definition and applications man of. Learn the hardness of each wood species as measured on the janka hardness scale. Janka hardness poundsforce australian buloke 5060 schinopsis balansae quebracho colorado red quebracho 4570 lignum vitae guayacan pockenholz 4500 patagonian rosewood curupay angico preto piptadenia macrocarpa brazilian tiger mahogany 3840 snakewood letterhout piratinera guinensis 3800 brazilian olivewood 3700 brazilian. These figures are a good indicator of how resistant the wood is to denting and wear. His hardness scale, in which he acknowledges the subjectivity of his. Types of wood american hardwood information center.
The janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. The higher the number next to the h, the harder the pencil lead inside is. The janka scale is a comprehensive chart of hardness ratings for a huge variety of wood species used for hardwood floors. Strand woven bamboo and eucalyptus flooring, on average, have janka ratings upwards of 3,800, which is much higher than traditional wood flooring. Baird brothers natural hardwood and accent parts, whether customdesigned or standard favorites, from timeless classics to the latest design trends. Our chart is based on the janka hardness scale which is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various wood species to resist denting and tolerate normal wear. Since then the janka scale has become worldwide accepted as the international standard for measuring wood hardness. It is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good indication of the effort required to either nail. It is a flooring industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good indication of the effort required to either nail or saw the particular wood. The janka scale can help you choose an appropriate wood for your project. The janka wood hardness scale is a way to measure a woods resistance to dents, scratches and wear. The janka test measures the amount of force needed to drive a 0. Janka hardness, specific gravity, temperate hardwoods this. The janka scale is used to determine the relative hardness of particular domestic or exotic wood species.
The janka test measures the amount of force that it takes to chip or dent a particular type of wood. The most common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is. Understanding the janka rating scale best laminate. The janka hardness scale not just a number gaylord flooring. To see how different wood types rate in terms of hardness, use this. The janka test is a measure of the hardness of wood. A measure of the hardness of wood, produced by a variation of the brinell hardness test. The janka hardness test measures the lbin2 required to embed a. The janka or side hardness test measures the force required to embed a. Nov 05, 2007 the janka hardness scale is a measurement of the force necessary to embed a. Welcome to our janka hardness scale for bamboo and eucalyptus flooring page.
Janka hardness chart for exotic wood and domestic wood. The test computes the pounds of force lbf one requires to drive one 0. Woods with a higher rating are harder than woods with a lower rating. Janka hardwood scale this scale is the worldwide standard for gauging the ability of various species of wood to endure normal wear and tear. Forest service list the relative hardness for numerous wood species used in flooring.
Raspberry jam acacia has a janka hardness rating of 3100 and a very low 5. The janka hardness scale not just a number gaylord. Janka hardness of a given wood species is defined by a resistance to indentation test as measured by the load pounds of pressure required to embed a 11. Estimating janka hardness from specific gravity for tropical and. To distinguish harder and softer pencils, pencil manufacturers rank pencils on a grading scale. The industry standard method for determining the hardness of wood products is called the janka hardness test. The test consists of measuring the amount of force required to insert a 11.
The industry standard for hardness the hardness of a wood is rated on an industry wide standard known as the janka test. To give some quantification to the issue of wood species hardness, the lumber industry created the janka hardness scalea standard now widely accepted as the best means of ranking a woods hardness. Explore our wood density chart to see which hardwood is the best for your next project. The janka hardness test was conducted by measuring the amount of force necessary to embed a. The janka or side hardness test, measures the force poundssquare inch required to embed a.
The test measures the amount of force required to embed a. For wood hardness is a measure of resistance to dent and wear. Here we will present to you our hardwood flooring hardness guidelets begin. In the united states, janka hardness astm d 14394 astm 2006 was initially used as a minimally destructive test for estimating the strength and stiffness properties of wood green et al. These figures are a good indicator of how resistant. The scale is determined by the amount of poundforce required to push a. Wood hardness chart species alphabetical hardness species by hardness hardness mahogany, honduran 800 padauk 1725 mahogany, santos 2200 tabaccowood 1750 maple, hard north american 1450 rosewood, bolivian 1780 maple, ivory 1500 bamboo, carbonized 1800 maple, soft 999 hickory 1820 merbau 1925 pecan 1820 mesquite 2345 yellowheart 1820. A common use of janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species. A harder wood will stand up to high traffic or heavy use better than a softer wood, but it will also be more difficult to sand or hammer a nail into. A harder wood will stand up to high traffic or heavy use better than a softer wood, but it will also be more. Janka hardness scale pdf online recordsearch forum. For example, mahogany has a janka hardness of 800 lbf, and brazilian walnut has a janka hardness of 3,680 lbf. The testing is done on the surface of the plank and the force is exerted perpendicular to the grain, which means that the test collects side hardness data.