Choosing a Hardwood Species: Janka Ratings, Grain and Real-World Wear

Janka hardness measures the force required to embed a steel ball halfway into a wood sample. It is a real number, and it answers only one of the three questions that determine how a floor ages.

What Janka tells you

• White oak, 1360: The reference standard. Hard enough for family traffic, stable, and it takes reactive stains well.
• Walnut, 1010: Noticeably softer. Dents from heels and dropped cookware. Chosen for colour, accepted with patina.
• Hickory, 1820: Very hard, with dramatic grain variation that not every palette can absorb.

What Janka does not tell you

1. Grain camouflage: Busy grain hides scratches. A dented hickory floor looks fine; a dented maple floor looks damaged.
2. Finish hardness: Most visible scratches are in the finish, not the wood. The finish system often matters more than the species.
3. Colour contrast: Dark stains reveal dust and scratches. A mid-tone floor stays presentable with a fraction of the effort.