durability
Paws and claws? No problem!
Wood floors are designed to withstand the traffic of busy
families, including man’s best friend. Wood floors are extremely durable. They can withstand the rambunctiousness of a
puppy and still look beautiful for decades. Just be sure to pick a species that
can endure Fido’s playful spirit, sharp nails, and occasional accidents.
hardness
Each species
of hardwood has a different level of hardness. Some
common domestic species like walnut, cherry, and birch are less hard in
comparison to other common domestic species like maple, hickory, and oak.
The hardness of solid wood is measured
according to a system called the Janka Scale. The Janka Scale gives a good
indication of how well a wood species can be expected to withstand dents and
dings. The scale is determined by the amount
of pound-force required to push a .444-inch
diameter steel ball halfway into the wood.
Ratings for
both domestic and imported species are included
in the scale; however, none of these values apply to engineered wood flooring.
While Janka values give a general sense of how hard solid wood is, other factors
also contribute to the durability of wood as well. This can include things like how the wood is cut and the finish that is
applied to the wood.