wood anatomy
Janka Hardness — Measuring How Hard a Wood Species Is
The standardized test measuring wood's resistance to denting, used to compare hardwood species.
Published
What it is
Janka hardness measures the force needed to press a steel ball halfway into wood. White oak is 1360 lbf, red oak 1290, hickory 1820, walnut 1010. Higher-Janka species dent less but aren’t always preferred — softer species like walnut accept stain more uniformly and have richer character.
Why it matters for your wood floors
This entry is part of our complete glossary covering every term homeowners, realtors, and contractors encounter when dealing with wood floor cleaning, recoating, and refinishing. For full context, see our main guides on recoating, chemical abrasion, and the services we offer.
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