When you select Janka hardwood flooring species, you should consider the following points in making the right choice and in the continued usage of the hardwood flooring.

• You should always choose the hardwood that could stand up to the foot traffic that might occur on the flooring.


• Study carefully the terms and conditions of the supplier during the purchase, including information on the warranty.


• It is advisable to employ a professional installer for hardwood flooring installation.


• Consult the installer or the contractor about the right stain and finish that would be appropriate for your hardwood flooring requirements.


• Ensure that a suitable moisture barrier is provided between the hardwood flooring and the subfloor, so that there is an additional protection.


• Janka hardwood flooring species are natural materials and color variations are likely over time. Keep that in mind while choosing the material. If you are in doubt, consult the suppliers and the contractors.


• You should use only vacuum cleaners and dry mops to the new hardwood flooring to clean dust and dirt.


• You should not use harsh detergents or wax-based cleaning materials. They would diminish the finish of the Janka hardwood flooring species.


• Using excessive water, steel, and other abrasive materials to clean the hardwood flooring should be avoided at all costs.


• You should also not leave damp mops or rags on hardwood flooring surfaces for extended periods, as they would damage the wood.


• The nails of your pets, spillage of corrosive materials and accidental impacts could damage the flooring. Try to minimize such risks. Hardwood flooring should not be installed in areas where moisture is very high. Basements and bathrooms are such places where it is better to avoid hardwood flooring.


• Athletic spike shoes and high-heel shoes are likely to damage the Janka hardwood flooring species. Avoid them as much as possible, while walking on hardwood flooring.


• If the floor is susceptible to radiant heat, it is advisable to install specially engineered Janka hardwood flooring species. These are designed to withstand temperature variations that occur from radiant heat.

Janka Rating & Why it Matters!

Hardwood flooring species are measures by relative hardness ranking systems called Janka. The hardwood flooring species are normally classified as very hard species and less hard species. Very hard species are highly durable and last several years. The less hard species do not have a long life but sawing and nailing them to a subfloor is much easier. The hardness of the wood is calculated by the Janka Ball Hardness Test. 

The Janka hardwood flooring species are ranked in a range of 350-3800. Red Oak, which is one of the most common hardwoods in flooring species, possesses a hardness of 1250, considered as low hardness. On the other hand, Brazilian Cherry has a Janka hardness of 2350; nearly double that of Red Oak. As such, Brazilian Cherry would be much more durable than Red Oak. 

However, harder wood species are more expensive. Red Oak is one of the most inexpensive and readily available wooden flooring materials. Still, if you plan to stay in your home for several years, you would be better off using a harder wooden material. Moreover, houses with very hard Janka hardwood flooring species are generally valued higher in the market and selling them in future would be easier and faster.

Additionally, harder floors need not be sanded very often and the cost of maintenance of these floors is much lesser, though the initial cost might be higher. Contrarily, softer flooring materials are less expensive while laying them but the maintenance cost is higher since they require sanding frequently. The life of the floor is also shortened in this process. 

The hardwood flooring species have varying hardness ratings according to the Janka scale; which are provided here for easy reference. 

The colors of Janka hardwood flooring species also varies widely. Certain species have colors that remain constant. A few species, however, have photosensitive colors and the colors change according to the light to which they are exposed. These variations in hardness and color help people to choose a vast variety of texture, look, and general effect. A brief description of a few select Janka hardwood flooring species is provided below.

White Ash is widely used as flooring material and in cabinet making. It is one of the favorite flooring species and it is much easier to work with it. Even though it is not as hard as white oak or red oak, beautiful and attractive tonal ranges of colors are available in white ash. These colors are darkened over the years and become richer in tone because of high photosensitivity of white ash.

White oak is generally pale in color and it is harder than red oak. As such, red oak is easier for sawing and nailing than white oak. Still, both are widely used for various flooring applications and are favored by many people.

Merbau is harder than oak and it is preferred for its even texture and abrasion resistance nature. This makes it an ideal Janka hardwood flooring species for people who prefer durable flooring. It had been popular from the time people started settling in North America and the popularity had not diminished with time.

Walnut is another Janka hardwood flooring species that is notable for its exotic color. The rich brown appearance in the beginning turns into a lustrous coffee color when the wood gradually ages. Moreover, walnut is much harder than several other types of wood materials like mahogany. Hence, it is a favorite choice for home and office flooring for the rich texture and high durability.