Bamboo Flooring Janka Hardness Scale

The Janka test measures the force required to embed an 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter (0.222 inch). This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size. It is one of the best measures to determine the hardness and durability of wood species. It is also a good indicator of how hard a species is to saw or nail. A common use of Janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.

The results are stated in various ways, which can lead to confusion, especially when the name of the actual units employed is often not attached. In the United States, the measurement is in pounds-force (lbf). In Sweden it is in kilograms-force (kgf), and in Australia, either in newtons (N) or kilonewtons (kN). Sometimes the results are treated as units, e.g., "660 Janka."

For years, bamboo was not mentioned in Janka reports and list. With the rising popularity of bamboo as flooring, the Janka test has been forced to include the diverse ratings for different bamboo floors.

Statistics below have been sourced from the websites or marketing materials of high quality bamboo flooring suppliers. If you are a company who would like us to update your information due to new testing results, please send us your updated information.

Janka Hardness Scale Flooring Species Hardness Ambient® Strand Woven Bamboo 3944 Ambient® Fusion Strand Bamboo 3944 Ambient® Granada Distressed Bamboo 3944 Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) 3680 Brazilian Walnut (Ipe) 3680 Tiete Chestnut 3540 Teragren® Synergy Bamboo 2426 Brazilian Teak (Cumaru) 3540 EcoTimber® Woven Bamboo 3000 Plyboo® Neopolitan Bamboo 2900 Plyboo® Strand Bamboo 2900 Brazilian Cherry (Jatoba) 2820 Tiete Rosewood (Guibourtia) 2800 Duro-Design® Strand 2800 Chestnut, Southern 2426 Teragren® Synergy Bamboo 2426 Caribbean Rosewood 2300 Santos Mahogany 2200 Ambient® S-Series Solid Bamboo 1997 Ambient® E-Series Engineered Bamboo 1997 Ambient® Radiant Heat Bamboo 1997 Ambient® Galicia Bamboo 1997 Ambient® Castilla Distressed Bamboo 1997 Merbau 1925 Teragren® Signature Bamboo 1921 Jarrah 1910 Plyboo® Edge Grain Natural Bamboo 1900 Plyboo®Squared Sahara Bamboo 1850 Pecan 1820 Hickory 1820 Duro-Design® Pre-finished 1820 Hawa® Engineered Bamboo 1820 Plyboo® Flat Grain Natural Bamboo 1800 Doussie 1770 Hawa® Stain Bamboo 1742 Hawa® Distressed Bamboo 1742 Hawa® Solid Bamboo 1742 Paduak, African 1725 Kempas 1710 Plyboo® Sport Bamboo 1700 Plyboo®Squared Natural/Amber Bamboo 1639 Timborana 1570 Teragren® Studio Bamboo with all-bamboo core 1569 Brazilian Maple 1500 North American Maple 1450 Plyboo® Flat Grain Amber Bamboo 1450 Teragren® Studio Bamboo 1416 Caribbean Walnut 1400 Royal Mahogany 1400 White Oak 1360 EcoTimber® Solid Horizontal-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Natural 1350 EcoTimber® Solid Horizontal-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Amber 1350 EcoTimber® Solid Vertical-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Natural 1350 EcoTimber® Solid Vertical-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Amber 1350 EcoTimber® Engineered Horizontal-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Natural 1350 EcoTimber® Solid Vertical-Grain Bamboo Flooring, Amber 1350 Ash 1320 Teragren® Craftsmen Bamboo 1307 Plyboo® Edge Grain Amber Bamboo 1300 Plyboo® Flat Grain Natural Bamboo 1300 Beech 1300 Red Oak 1260 Yellow Birch 1260 Iroko/Kambala 1260 True Teak 1155 North American Walnut 1010 North American Cherry 950