Most durable hardwoods for flooring

When you go shopping for hardwood floor, you will have decided which type of wood suits your home and especially, you will have put some thought regarding the durability of the wood. If you are unsure about the hardness of the wood, you need to refer to the Janka rating system that

measures it. Durability is essential, and some rooms get more traffic than others. They are two categories of wood, each with their hardness ratings.

Exotic Woods

• Brazilian Walnut

Brazilian walnut is without a doubt the hardest and most dense of all woods, in both categories, with a staggering 3680 on the Janka rating. As if this wasn’t already impressive, this incredible wood comes in a wide range of colors, from light blonde to deep brown. Perfect for heavy traffic, in the home or business like bars or restaurants.

• Brazilian Teak

Brazilian Teak takes second place in the exotic woods, not far behind the Walnut. This is a very durable timber rating 3450 on Janka. With its fascinating range of colors from dark to reddish brown to light tan, this wood is an excellent choice for homes or businesses alike.

• Mahogany

Mahogany, the second popular choice. Reaching 2200 on the Janka hardness rating, this beautiful timber has a wide variety of soft neutral tones that are compelling. This is the second most popular exotic wood choice and is only slightly softer than Brazilian Cherry with a Janka Hardness Rating of 2200. Although Mahogany also comes in a variety of colors, its tones are somewhat more neutral compared to the features of Brazilian Cherry.                   

Domestic woods

• Hickory

This is the hardest of domestic woods, with an impressive 1820 on the Janka hardness rating. Hickory comes in lovely arrays of colors, ranging from chocolate to blonde. Its incredible durability makes it the ideal choice for homes with lots of traffic, with young children and pets.

• Maple

With a Janka rating of 1450, Maple is a favorite for people who love lighter shades. Its durability is excellent; this is the wood you find in basketball courts and bowling alleys. A maple timber hardwood floor brings a brightness to your home or office.

• White Oak

This is the last on our list although there are more worth mentioning. White Oak, with a rating of 1360, is slightly harder than red oak. Its colors have a natural refreshing feel from deep brown to light gold. This beautiful wood will enhance the beauty of your home. White oak is a particularly good choice for larger households and humid climates.

If you would like to know more about hardwood for flooring, please contact us at T&G Flooring, or if you can, pop into one of our showrooms in Denver or Evergreen. We know all there is to know about wood and hardwood floors and would love to share our knowledge with you.