Janka Hardness Scale Organized by Wood Flooring Species

Below you will find our Janka scale and wood species list.

Click on any of the wood species listed and you can read all about its origin, country of origin and other interesting facts about each species. If you don't see a species list here, call us Toll-Free and one of our helpful service representatives will definitely be able to help you find the flooring you are looking for.

Definitions and Frequently Asked Questions

The grade of an installation site is determined by the relative elevation of the subfloor compared to the ground level around the house. On grade is the most standard grade, representing a subfloor of elevation at or very close to ground level. With this in mind, above grade then is the elevated status of a subfloor, such as a second floor or attic in which the installation site is significantly above the surrounding ground level. Below grade usually refers to a basement, sometimes specifically with a concrete subfloor.

To determine where your floor can be installed, you would refer to the manufacturer's recommendations. Usually, engineered hardwood floors are compatible with any of the three grades, while solid hardwood floors are only for use on or above grade. The reasoning behind this recommendation is that basements are extremely moisture retentive.

Solid hardwood floors, while being durable and attractive, are not as fundamentally stable as an engineered hardwood floor. Thus, they are vulnerable to moisture related issues that will cup and damage solid wood floors below grade. Manufacturer warranties will almost always be voided if a solid hardwood product is installed below grade.

"Which room should I install my hardwood floor in?"
A question like this is subjective; in truth, so long as compliance with the manufacturer's warranty and recommendation for the grade in which a floor should be installed, it is truly a matter of preference. However, for the sake of convenience, we will go over a few options for the area of your hardwood flooring installation site.

Probably the most popular choice for a hardwood flooring installation is the largest room in the house, which usually is the front room (also referred to often as the living room) or den. This is usually the room that "greets" anyone who walks in, and is preferred to present an atmosphere.

The next most popular choice is a bedroom, where a personal touch is preferred for comfortable relaxing periods. The right floor can set the mood for a comfortable book read before bed, or relay a sense of peace.

Dining rooms are a fine choice for hardwood flooring, especially if company for dinner is something that occurs often. A conversation over a fine meal about the wonderful new floor can liven up any dish.

Another significant option is a hallway, such as one leading from or to a bedroom or dining room. Connecting two rooms with a beautiful floor has the ability to impart a sense of travel that can really deliver someone into a new room the right way.