Alder Hardwood Flooring Hardness

The term hardwood is a taxonomic tree classification.

Alder hardwood flooring hardness.

Although classified as a hardwood alder is one of the softest of all hardwoods and is more commonly referred to as a semi hardwood. Wood hardness chart species alphabetical hardness species by hardness hardness mahogany honduran 800 padauk 1725 mahogany santos 2200 tabaccowood 1750 maple hard north american 1450 rosewood bolivian 1780 maple ivory 1500 bamboo carbonized 1800 maple soft 999 hickory 1820 merbau 1925 pecan 1820 mesquite 2345 yellowheart 1820. General description alder a relative of birch is almost white when freshly cut but quickly changes with exposure to air becoming light brown with a yellow or reddish tinge. When in doubt about the type of wood to select for your cabinetry flooring furniture or millwork project refer to the janka rating system which measures the relative hardness of woods.

In addition individual species of hardwoods vary considerably in terms of strength density color and texture. The janka hardness test from the austrian born emigrant gabriel janka 1864 1932 measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. On a hardness scale alder ranks just above pine and poplar. The hardest commercially available hardwood is hickory and it is five times harder than aspen one of the soft hardwoods.

The janka hardness scale determines the hardness of a particular type of wood over another. Relative hardness of wood flooring species. Alder is a fast growing pioneer species and has nitrogen fixing nodules on its roots. This is why alder hardwood floors are recommended for homes where a rugged floor is acceptable.

Alder hardwood flooring can be used for a casual formal or contemporary look. Even following all precautions and maintenance guidelines this flooring will show a bit more wear and tear than floors made of hardwood that ranks higher on the janka scale. Fantastic floor offers alder hardwood flooring 3 4 thick 7 wide and random length from 2 to 8. It measures the force required to embed an 11 28 millimetres 0 444 in diameter steel ball halfway into a sample of wood.

It does not imply a superior hardness density or quality of wood produced. Throughout the wood flooring industry the janka hardness chart is recognized as the main source for questions related to the density and relative hardness of both domestic species as well as exotic wood species from around the world. The janka rating for red alder the most commonly used in flooring is 590. Distribution principally the pacific northwest where it is the most abundant commercial hardwood.