Which Hardwood Flooring is the Hardest?

Homeowners who are in the market for new wood flooring often have questions about which floor is the hardest. In our recent blog post, we talked more in-depth about how hardness of wood flooring is related to its overall durability. Today, we will be taking a look at how the different wood species compare on the Janka hardness scale and how you can select hardwood floors that will be as durable as you need them to be.

Let’s take a closer look at the expectations and reality of the hardness of different wood species.

How Hard Should Your Wood Floor Be? 

Red Oak is the industry median for hardness.  On the Janka scale, it measures at 1290. This makes it mostly resistant to dents and dings, though it is not going to be as bulletproof as some people will need it to be.

Generally, Red Oak is a good floor for people with kids and pets compared to softer species like American Cherry and American Walnut (both of which measure around 950 to 1010).

Domestic species can be quite durable when it comes to selecting the right hardwood floor. While Red Oak falls in the middle when it comes to hardness, Maple and Hickory hardwood are also going to be durable selections. Maple is about 20 percent harder than Red Oak and Hickory is about 50 percent harder (coming in at 1450 and 1820, respectively). Even White Oak is slightly harder than its red counterpart.

However, these domestic species often don’t hold a candle to what you can expect from more exotic, imported species.

Look for Exotic Hardwood Floors for Hardness

If you want the hardest wood floors you can get your hands on, then exotic species are likely to be the right fit for you. Not only are these exotics beautiful, but they also have the added durability of being extremely hard to dent and ding according to their rank on the Janka scale.

What is the most durable hardwood you can think of for your home?

Homeowners looking for a durable wood flooring option may want to consider Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) first. This wood has one of the highest Janka ratings at 3510. Compared to Red Oak’s 1290, you will see that exotic wood species like Ipe have a lot to offer when it comes to wood hardness.

Other selections for exotic hardwood flooring include:

• Brazilian Teak: 3540
• Brazilian Cherry: 2350
• Santos Mahogany: 2200
• Tigerwood: 2160
• Amendoim: 1920

It’s also important to note that we have many exotic engineered hardwood flooring options with a thick, sandable wear layer. This means that you are getting the full durability and performance of the species on the surface without having to consider the layers that lay beneath the surface. Sometimes, soft species that make up the core of an engineered floor make it less hard than the visible wear layer would ordinarily be on solid hardwood flooring.

How Does Bamboo Flooring Compare? 

Although Woodboys does not carry bamboo, one of the questions we are often asked is how bamboo flooring compares to hardwood options like Hickory flooring. Most of the time, people are thinking about strand bamboo which can have a hardness more closely associated with exotics. Like the hardest wood floor, strand woven bamboo can withstand a great deal of wear and tear. Plus, it has an interesting grain pattern that can’t be replicated in traditional wood.

However, there is another aspect of this to consider.

Bamboo is an imported product and there is limited quality control on its production. When bamboo is harvested too soon in order to yield more flooring on a tight timeline, it may not be as durable as fully matured bamboo. You may find that your floor is significantly less durable despite its claims to the contrary.

You may be taking a risk if you buy any bamboo floors from less reputable dealers and manufacturers. Always do your homework, no matter whether you want engineered wood, bamboo, or solid flooring.

It’s also important to note that bamboo is more susceptible to moisture issues, especially in the high humidity conditions of the Lowcountry. Always take precautions if you decide to install bamboo, especially over concrete subfloors.

Get Your Questions Answered at Woodboys

When you are looking for the best hardwood floor for your home, don’t allow anything to chance. The Janka scale can feel technical and overwhelming, but the flooring specialists at Woodboys can answer all of your questions. Allow us to help guide you as you make the important decision about which floor is right for your home.

Visit our Ladson showroom to take in one of the South’s largest selections of hardwood flooring or arrange for our mobile showroom and a selection of samples to come to you!