Let's take a look at the various hardness of the wood we offer
Beauty first or is it durability? When shopping for a new or reclaimed wood floor lets be honest that looks come first. Once we have figured out the prettiest flooring the next looming concern comes along of will it last? This blog will help address how wood hardness is evaluated and then layout some of the choices, questions and options for your consideration.
Lets start with the famous Janka Hardness Scale. Here is the most straightforward definition available:
The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. It measures the force required to embed an 11.28 mm (.444 in) steel ball into wood to half the ball's diameter. ... A common use of Janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.
Interestingly this test directly correlates to a warning we give our customers about shoes. Should you have a friend or friends (!) prone to wearing spiked heels your flooring will most likely show you everywhere they walked during their visit. It is that focused point of pressure that causes the real issues. The other common analogy is that while an elephant could happily meander across your kitchen ( which would clearly beg a litany of questions ) it would not leave a mark but your heel wearing friend would most definitely leave a mark.
The actual test looks like this
Click here to see the full Janka Hardness Scale
As the scale shows the hardest woods are the most exotic and most importantly should be avoided for the sake of the planet. From our collection the really hard stuff starts with our hickory weighing in at an impressive 1820!
This installation is our antique reclaimed hickory. Beauty and intense durability in one lovely package. Now I don't want to mislead the reader into thinking that you can stage a nine innning baseball game with full cleats or test out your new hammer on this floor but it will easily deal with daily life. Keep in mind also that reclaimed wood is somewhat harder and denser than new wood since it has been drying for a much longer time.
Now this next option is the go to for most of our customers when they want a floor that combines a flawless natural beauty, easy adaptability to stain and a solid hardness, that's right it is white oak time.
This is a new white oak character grade finished with a golden oak stain. Stunning and meets the hardness question nicely. Let's take a look at some reclaimed oaks.
This is our classic antique oak distressed grade. The picture really says it all doesn't it? Now as we move down the hardness chain the questions come up of sincere worry that the flooring can be damaged easily. This is not necessarily the case. With all these floors it is really a matter of simply caring for the investment with simple things like a no shoes rule ( my wife's favorite ) or quite honestly just by paying attention to what is going on in your home. Don't be intimidated by lower janka numbers! Choose the flooring you want and live your life to the fullest.
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