You love the look of hardwood floors, but you’re worried about the dents that could come from everyday use.
This is a genuine concern that many people have.
Being a homeowner, you know that even the slightest movement of furniture can be enough to mark up the floors. You might have young children who use the floors as a playmat.
The hardest hardwood floors are your answer to decorating your home in a practical way.
While no floor can completely guard against dents, the hardest can do a great job at resisting it.
Are you interested in finding out why the hardest hardwood floors might work for you? Read on to find out why they’re worth the investment.
How Hard Is The Hardest Wood Flooring?
Hardwood floors are rated for their hardness using the Janka scale.
Each type of wood receives a Janka rating. The lowest numbers on the scale mean that the wood is more likely to dent, while the highest numbers mean that the wood can resist dents better.
The one thing that the Janka scale does not determine is how likely the wood is to get scratches. Instead, it determines the hardness of certain types of wood flooring.
The lowest ratings are typically in the hundreds, with the highest ratings usually reaching into the thousands.
When looking at the hardest of wood floors, you want one with a high Janka rating.
What Is The Hardest Type of Wood Flooring?
When looking into the hardest hardwood floors, there are a few options to decide from. Since all the options rank high on the Janka scale, your choice should come down to the floor that is right for you.
Hickory
Hickory is one of the hardest domestic woods available for hardwood flooring. It ranks fairly high on the Janka scale at 1,820. It’s a good option that surpasses the industry standard of hardness, but there are many harder options to consider as well.
While hardwood from the United States is used for flooring, it’s not the hardest that’s available. If you’re looking for the hardest floors you can find, exotic species are the way to go.
Garapa Hardwood
Garapa is a hardwood that also takes on the name of “Golden Teak.” One great feature of Garapa hardwood floors is that they are golden in color. It’s one of the softer options when it comes to exotic wood as it has a 1,700 Janka rating.
Garapa is often used outside for decking, so it’s prepared to take on some of the toughest scratches. This makes it a great option for hardwood flooring indoors. It will brighten up a room while keeping up with high traffic.
If you’re looking for an affordable, yet durable option, Garapa might be the choice for you.
Tigerwood Hardwood
Looking for a unique hardwood floor with a lot of character? Tigerwood can give you all that and more!
You might know it better as Brazilian koa or African walnut. It’s a popular choice for hardwood floors for many reasons.
It’s a great option if you want your floors to stand out while protecting against marks and scuffs. Its Janka rating is 2,160, meaning that it surpasses the hardness of domestic woods.
This means that it’s a great option for flooring as it resists dents and damages well.
The lifespan of tigerwood is another great feature of this hardwood. That unique tiger print pattern can stand out for many years to come!
Cumaru Hardwood
Another name for Cumaru is Brazilian Chesnut. This falls in line with the beautiful brown color that makes this wood so stunning.
Cumaru ranks at 3,540 on the Janka scale making it one of the hardest hardwood floor options available.
Pairing its durability with its beautiful patterns, it’s a great option if you want some of the hardest wood available for your flooring.
Ipe Hardwood
Ipe or Brazilian walnut is top-notch if you want the hardest and most durable flooring on the market. It boasts a Janka rating of 3,680, making it extremely hard to dent.
Aside from its extreme hardness, it’s good for a few other reasons as well. One reason is that it’s available in many colors. This makes it a great option for you if you want a certain look to go with extreme durability.
In addition to this, Ipe is also fire resistant!
If you’re looking for the toughest of wood that will last a lifetime, then Ipe is the choice for you.
Are The Hardest Hardwood Floors Worth It?
Janka ratings that are over the standard aren’t bad choices. There are plenty of advantages to consider when going with the hardest hardwood floors on the market.
Consider the area that you plan to install the flooring in. Is it a high traffic area that is bound to see rough wear and tear? Is it an area that a pet will use often? If you said “yes,” then you would benefit from choosing a hardwood floor with a higher Janka rating.
This way, you wouldn’t see as many dents on your floors from impact and high traffic. Even if the kids came in and slid their chairs across the floor, they’d do a great job of resisting the scratches.
Finding a good balance between the look that you want and the durability of your flooring will help you reach the best decision for you.
If dents and scratches are your main concern, the hardest hardwood floors will be worth it.
Want to Learn More About the Best Hardwood Floors for You?
Choosing the right flooring is an important decision. Flooring is meant to last you for many years to come, so you’ll want something that can hold up over time.
At Ipe Woods USA, we have a large variety of durable wood choices, the main one being Ipe. You can trust that your hardwood flooring will stand the test of time and of course, the Janka test!
If you’re ready to invest in the hardest hardwood floors you can find, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us to find out how we can help you find the hardwood flooring that’s right for you!