Janka hardness
A rating of a wood species’ resistance to denting, used as one input among several in species selection.
Janka is a useful number and a poor sole criterion. Hardness is only one variable — stability, grain character and finish performance matter equally.
In the GTA the practical range runs from black walnut at 1010 through red oak at ≈1290 and white oak at ≈1360, to hard maple at 1450 and hickory at 1820.
Related
Terms this one depends on
- White oakThe species currently dominant in both aesthetics and resale signalling across the Greater Toronto Area, at a Janka of roughly 1360.
- Engineered hardwoodFlooring that pairs a real hardwood wear layer with a 90° cross-ply core, which is what gives it dimensional stability over concrete, in condominiums and above radiant heat.
- Solid hardwoodFlooring milled from a single piece of wood, typically 3/4" (19 mm), with a generational wear layer and high sensitivity to humidity swings.
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