HARDNESS

The relative hardness of wood species is commonly measured using the Janka Hardness Rating (see the chart at right). This test measures the force needed to embed a steel ball (0.444 in. diameter) to half its diameter into the wood being tested, with the rating measured in pounds of force. While you're not likely to be embedding steel balls in your floor any­time soon, the hardness of the wood is an important consideration.

The average woman wearing high heels can exert 2,000 lb. per sq. in. on a wood floor (and I've seen many floors severely damaged by women's heels). If you have a big dog with long nails, Eastern white pine floors with a hardness rating of 380 lb. might not be your best choice. Brazilian walnut with a hardness rating of 3,680 lb. would pass the high-heel test and give dog nails a run for their money. One last word on high heels: If a heel of one of the shoes is damaged and has a protruding nail, it can attack the floor with 8,000 lb. of force. No wood flooring San Francisco can stand up to that.

The hardness of wood usually varies with the direction of the wood grain. Quartersawn flooring is alittle harder than plainsawn flooring. End-grain floors were a traditional floor covering in factory buildings, heavy-traffic commercial buildings, museums, bridges, and boardwalks. They absorb energy and noise, and the angle of cut allows the growth rings to resist scraping and general wear more effectively than traditionally flatsawn or even quartersawn boards.

At Kapriz Hardwood Floors, you’ll find an amazing selection of hardwood flooring  from the world’s top flooring manufacturers. Solid hardwood in San Francisco, engineered hardwood , click hardwood and more are all available in a vast array of constructions, species and styles. Our volume buying power and largest warehouse inventory allow us to provide the biggest discounts on wood flooring and the fastest shipping.