Wood Grades

The appearance of the hardwood determines its "grade."  All grades are equally strong and serviceable, but each affords you a different look.

• Clear
• Select
• No. 1 Common
• No. 2 Common

Clear hardwood is free of defects, though it may have minor imperfections.

Select hardwood is almost clear, but contains some natural characteristics such as knots and color variations.

Common hardwood (No. 1 and No.2) has more natural characteristics such as knots and color variations than either clear or select grades, and often is chosen because of these natural features and the character they bring to a room.  No. 1 Common has a variegated appearance, light and dark colors, knots, flags and wormholes.  No. 2 Common is rustic in appearance and emphasize all wood characteristics of the species.

Janka Wood Hardness Rating

Measures the relative hardness of different hardwoods.  The Janka Test involves measuring the force required to embed a 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood half its diameter.  This method was chosen so that the results would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size.  It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear. 

The hardness of wood usually varies with the direction of the wood grain.  If testing is done on the surface of a plank, perpendicular to the grain, the test is said to be of "side hardness."  Testing the cut surface of a stump would be called a test of "end hardness."  In the United States, the measurement is in pounds-force (lbf)

A common use of the Janka Wood Hardness Ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.

Here is the Janka Wood Hardness Ratings for our best selling hardwood flooring species:

• Brazilian Teak (Cumaru) 3540
• Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) 2350
• Brazilian Koa (Tigerwood) 1850
• Rosewood (Tiete) 1780
• Maple (1450)
• White Oak (1360)
• Red Oak (1290)