Bamboo Flooring Janka Hardness Scale

Compare the janka hardness ratings for hardwood and bamboo flooring products

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. If you’re wondering if you want to install bamboo flooring, these ratings can help.

How To State The Janka Rating?

Janka ratings go from zero to 5,000. A rating of zero means the flooring is easy to dent and scratch. The higher the number is, the harder and more durable the floor. 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."

What Is A "Good" Janka Rating?

When choosing flooring for a home, having an idea of the Janka scale rating will provide buyers with an indication of how strong the floor is and how much wear and tear it will be able to handle over the years before it requires repair or replacement. Even still, a "good" Janka rating serves only as an indication, because it is not just the hardness that plays a role in the appearance and durability of a floor over time. It is also the traffic, the maintenance, and prevention that dictates how well a floor will look years after it is installed.

What Is A "Bad" Janka Rating?

We would suggest avoiding any floor that’s anything under 5.5 on the Janka scale. You usually will not see a hardwood floor with a “bad” rating. Those ratings are typically reserved for woods used for products other than flooring, such as Balsa wood used for crafts.

Can Harder affect Comfort?

It is important not to relate the hardness to the way the flooring feel under-foot, as there is no bearing on that facet of the flooring. The Janka scale has no relevance to how soft/hard the floor is in terms of comfort level.

Should I consider the Janka rating when choosing a hardwood floor?

The reality is any floor will take wear even concrete, so when shopping for hardwood or bamboo flooring you should consider where the floor will be located in your home and how much traffic it will get. While the Janka Hardness Scale should play a role in your decision, it should not be the only factor you look at when purchasing a hardwood floor. You should choose a wood, bamboo or cork material with a texture, grain, color, warmth and performance that fits your design style and your lifestyle.