Janka Hardness Scale

The Janka Scale gives the user a good indication of a wood's resistance to wear and denting.  The Janka Scale (Janka hardness test) is a measurement of the force necessary to embed a .444-inch steel ball to half its diameter in wood.

The Janka Scale is the industry standard for gauging the ability of various species to tolerate denting and normal wear, as well as being a good indication of the effort required to either nail or saw the particular wood.  Utilizing the Janka Scale will help you in your hardwood flooring selections.