About the Janka Scale

When it comes to measuring hardwood floor durability, the Janka scale is the industry standard. As we explained in a previous post, "The Janka test measures hardness of wood flooring by measuring the resistance of driving half of a .444 inch steel ball into various types of wood. Manufacturers use this test to determine if a species would make good flooring, and homeowners can refer to it to select the best fit for their home."

It sounds reasonable. The harder the wood, the stronger the floor, right? Well, not exactly.

It Comes Down to Finish

Don't let the Janka scale fool you! In reality, hardwood floor durability is much more dependent on the type of finish, and the floor's hardness only makes a small difference.

San Jose Hardwood Floors' owner, Butch Kirk, knows a lot about this topic. "As a homeowner with hardwood floors, I have walnut flooring in my home (which is soft on the Janka scale) and applied the Bona Traffic finish - it holds up wonderfully, even with my 45-pound dog and my cat!"

In addition to giving your flooring the perfect shade for your home, finish protects your floors and provides a little extra strength. "There is not a finish in the world that will stop scratches in the floor, although Bona Traffic seems to be the best on the market," explains Kirk.

Whether you selected hardwood floor for dogs, busy kids or clumsy adults, make sure you use a high-quality, low-VOC finish -- especially in high-traffic areas.

So how much weight should you give the Janka scale versus the finish as you select your new hardwood floors? Come visit our showroom, where our experts can help you consider hardwood floor durability, finish type and much more as you select your new hardwood floors. Make sure you contact us for a free in-home estimate, too!

Photo Credit: rutlo