What is the hardest hardwood?

Did you know that not all hardwoods are created equal when it comes to durability? When it comes to choosing a floor that will last for decades, wood hardness is an essential factor to consider. What is the hardest hardwood? Whether you're renovating your living room or installing a new staircase, understanding which woods are the most robust will help you make an informed choice.

But how do you know if a wood is actually hard? Is there a method for objectively comparing different species? Yes, and it's been around for over 100 years. You'll discover this in the next section.

What is the Janka scale?

The Janka test measures the force required to drive a steel ball into wood. The greater the force required, the harder the wood is considered. It is now one of the world's leading standards for classifying wood species according to their strength.

The Janka scale was developed in the early 20th century by Gabriel Janka, an Austrian dendrologist. Dendrology is the science of trees: it classifies and evaluates woody species according to their physical properties.

Summary

• How does the Janka method or scale work?
• Choosing the hardness of hardwood according to the room
• Where and when to choose a very hard hardwood?
• Conclusion
• FAQ

How does the Janka method or scale work?

The Janka hardness test determines the resistance of wood to indentation. The wood is tested with a steel ball of approximately 11 mm to measure its resistance. Performed only on dried wood samples with moisture content up to 12%, we can obtain results in pounds-force (lbf), kilograms-force ( kg f ) or newtons (N).

Wood species and their hardness

Hickory or hickory

On the Janka scale, this wood has a hardness of 1820 lbf. It is a genus of trees that includes about twenty species, a dozen of which are native to North America.

Hickory flooring comes in a variety of looks, which can include light-colored woods mixed with dark brown or light-to-dark brown tones and dark black stains. It is a bit more difficult to install due to the wood's density, and it is susceptible to moisture. However, its durability is assured.

Interesting fact: Hickory is often used for making percussion sticks or tool handles, due to its shock resistance and lightness.

The maple

The maple we're studying is more specifically the sugar maple, or hard maple. Our beloved North American tree species can live up to 250 years and provide us with a sweet treat in the spring.

On the Janka scale, maple reaches 1450 lbf of strength. Hardwood harvested from the outer wood of the trunk, or sapwood, is generally a light creamy white color, while hardwood harvested from the center of the tree, or heartwood, is a deeper shade of brown with a slight reddish tint.

Interesting fact: Maple trees grow rapidly, reaching a height of nearly 10 meters in 20 years, depending on their region of origin. They thrive from seed in rich, deep, and fresh soil, up to an altitude of 1,000 meters.

The white oak

White oak floors have a hardness that has been measured at 1360 lbf of resistance. Unlike maple, white oak can live up to 500 years. This tree species is self-pollinating and can take up to 25 years to produce fruit.

In flooring, white oak, despite its name, offers a darker natural color palette than maple or red oak while still offering gray-brown nuances and character.

The white ash

A wood with a hardness of 1320 lbf according to Janka. Unfortunately, threatened by the emerald ash borer, this species may become rare over time and less used for flooring.

White ash flooring has a pronounced grain pattern similar to oak, which can be advantageous for high-traffic areas where imperfections may be less visible.

For other uses, such as making bows or cheese rings, this "nervous" wood is prized for its flexibility.

The red oak

When we think of hardwood flooring, many people often think of red oak. With a strength of over 1290 lbs, this species has a tight, uniform wood grain.

Its colors vary depending on where the material is sourced. The wood will be reddish-brown if it comes from the heartwood and will vary from white to pale brown if it comes from the sapwood, the part of the tree between the bark and the heart of the trunk.

The cherry tree

This wood has a strength of 1260 lbf on the Janka scale. It grows very quickly and can be quite wiry. It ranges in color from light pinkish brown to yellowish. Its wood grain is straight and firm.

Cherry flooring is prized for its beauty and workability. It's also valued for its rapid growth, which helps the environment where reforestation is needed.

The American walnut tree

The American walnut is a large tree native to North America. On the Janka scale, its strength is 1010 lbf, making it softer than its counterparts. Its bark is very dark in color, which earned it the name "black walnut."

Walnut flooring offers rich chocolate tones and uniform grain patterns. The color palette ranges from light pale brown to dark mocha with auburn undertones.

Interesting fact: The walnut tree is exploited for its wood quality but also to extract the oil from its fruits, whose shells can be crushed for use in the manufacture of sandpaper.

Choosing the hardness of hardwood according to the room

Not every space in your home has the same flooring needs. Depending on usage, traffic level, and ambient humidity, some hardwood species will be better suited than others. Here's an overview of recommendations for the main rooms in your home.

Living room or dining room

These are pieces of everyday use, often open and highly visible. Medium to high-hardness wood, such as red oak or maple, offers a good compromise between strength and comfort. These species are well suited to heavy furniture and frequent traffic.

Kitchen

The kitchen presents unique challenges: water splashes, humidity, and falling objects. Therefore, it's recommended to opt for a harder, more stable wood type, such as engineered wood made from merbau or hard maple. Additionally, the floor's finish is crucial to prevent stains. For comprehensive advice, you can check out our article on hardwood floors in the kitchen .

Bedroom

In a bedroom, comfort underfoot and aesthetics are often the priority. You can choose a slightly softer wood, such as walnut, which offers visual warmth and a pleasant tactile feel.

Hallway or entrance

These high-traffic areas require a very hard wood, such as ipe or cumaru. These woods are highly resistant to impacts, scratches, and moisture carried in from outside.

Stairs

Stairs are subject to a lot of friction, so it's a good idea to choose a very dense and durable wood, ideally with a non-slip finish. Hard maple or merbau are excellent choices.

Where and when to choose a very hard hardwood?

Very hardwoods like ipe, cumaru, or merbau aren't just impressive for their strength; they're also very practical in high-traffic areas. Think hallways, stairways, or entryways, where the risk of premature wear is high. A hardwood will hold up better there than a softer species. On the other hand, for a bedroom or lounge area, a slightly softer wood can provide superior comfort underfoot.

It's also important to consider the moisture content and stability of the wood. Some very hard woods are more stable than others when it comes to temperature fluctuations, which is an advantage in a climate like Quebec's.

Wood essence	Hardness (Janka)	Dimensional stability	Ease of maintenance	Visual appearance	Approximate price
Ipe	3,680	Very high	Average	Dark, ribbed, exotic	$$$$
Merbau	1,920	High	Average	Warm, golden brown	$$$
Hard maple	1,450	Average	Easy	Clear, uniform	$$
Red oak	1,290	Good	Easy	Pronounced, natural veining	$$
Black walnut	1,010	Average	Average	Dark, elegant	$$$

Note : Prices are indicative (from $ to $$$$), variable depending on quality, origin and availability.

Conclusion

Choosing a very hardwood is an investment in the long-term durability and strength of your floor. Species like ipe, merbau, or red oak will offer remarkable strength while adding character to your decor. Consider adapting your choice based on the room and its intended use: a good floor is, above all, a well-chosen floor.

Still hesitating? Come visit our showroom or request a free quote.

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