Janka Hardness Scale

The Janka Hardness Scale is the industry standard for determining the hardness of different species of wood. We find it useful to determine their suitability for use as log cabin flooring. The higher the number, the harder the wood.

The Janka Scale measures the force required to embed an 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball to a depth equal to half its diameter into the wood being tested, resulting in an indentation exactly 100 square millimeters in size.

The test gives a good indication of the wood's resistance to normal wear and tear and denting, and it also shows how difficult it is to work with as far as nailing and sawing.

Since the hardness varies according to the direction of the grain, the test can be performed on the side or the end grain.

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The same woods grown in different environments have different hardnesses. Canadian woods are harder than American woods because of the shorter growing season.

This table shows the Janka Hardness Scale of various woods and gives an indication of the suitability of the wood for use as flooring. A higher number means that the wood will show less wear and is less easily dented. This is one factor to consider in your choice of log cabin flooring.

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