What is the Janka Hardness Scale?

The Janka hardness scale is a standardized measurement used to assess the relative hardness of different wood species. The higher the number on the scale, the more resistant the wood is to scratching, denting, and wear — it’s also harder to cut and shape, just so you know. 

More specifically, the Janka hardness scale quantifies the force required to embed a steel ball of a specific diameter halfway into a wood sample. The resulting rating is in pounds-force (lbf) and provides a numerical representation of a wood’s hardness.

Developed in 1906 by Gabriel Janka, an Austrian wood researcher, this scale is particularly useful in the flooring industry because flooring takes a lot of abuse from the weight and velocity of people walking on it. Knowing a wood’s Janka rating is therefore crucial to choosing a durable species. 

The wood species you choose for your cabinetry also matters. While cabinets don’t experience nearly as much impact as floors, it’s still important to know the suitability of different wood species for your construction project so that your cabinets last well into the future.

Why is the Janka hardness scale for wood important?

Knowing the Janka rating for different types of wood is important for determining how well a wood withstands wear. This helps you decide which wood will best suit your specific application. 

But this hardwood hardness scale also directly correlates with other mechanical properties in wood, such as density and toughness. Woods with higher hardness are denser and contain harder fibers, making them more challenging to saw, screw, nail, and even sand. By providing insights into this, the Janka hardness scale is important for selecting a wood species that is both durable and easy to machine or woodwork. 

So, what’s considered a “good” Janka rating for cabinet doors? Well, it depends.

Red oak, with a rating of 1,290, is the industry benchmark and median standard when comparing the hardness of different wood species. You can also simplify ratings by grouping them into three categories:

• Hard 
  • Australian buloke (5,060 lbf)
  • Brazilian walnut (3,684)
  • Ebony (3,220)
  • Hickory (1,820)
  • Sweet birch (1,470)
  • Hard maple (1,450)
  • White oak (1,360) 
  • Red oak (1,290)
  • Ash (1,320)

• Medium 
  • Black walnut (1,010)
  • Teak (1,000)
  • American cherry (950)
  • Soft maple (950)
  • Cedar (900)
  • Mahogany (800)
  • Sycamore (770) 
  • Douglas fir (660)

• Soft
  • Red alder (590)
  • Poplar (540)
  • Pine (580)
  • Western white pine (420)
  • Basswood (410)
  • Spruce (350)
  • Balsa (100)
  • Cuipo (22)

When determining which wood to use for your cabinet doors, consider two factors:

• The space they’re going in. If these cabinet doors are going in a home with a lot of bustle, you may want to consider a harder wood that will withstand daily wear and tear.
• The finish. A good finish helps protect your cabinets from scuffs and scratches. Meanwhile, a bad finish makes those unsightly dings and dents even more noticeable.

For example, poplar is one of the most popular paint-grade woods for cabinet doors. However, when you refer to the scale, you can see it has a low rating of 540.

This means poplar dents easily, which is especially useful to know if you’re painting poplar — because when that wood dents, that paint will crack. Use a protective finish over your paint to get the visual impact of this wood species without sacrificing longevity.

How is Janka rating determined?

The Janka hardness scale for wood derives from the Janka hardness test, which measures how many pounds per square inch of force you need to push a 0.444-inch steel ball halfway into a 2-by-2-by-6-inch piece of wood. The rating corresponds to the force applied to the ball.

Calculating the Janka rating involves a standardized testing procedure:

• Sample preparation: You start by conditioning a sample block of wood (2 by 2 by 6 inches) to a specific moisture content, usually 12%, to ensure consistency in testing.
• Testing apparatus: A specialized testing machine consisting of a steel ball attached to a hydraulic or mechanical press applies a controlled force to the steel ball.
• Testing procedure: The wood sample is securely fixed in a horizontal position. The steel ball sits on the wood surface, and the machine applies force until the ball penetrates the wood to a depth of half its diameter. You then record the maximum force applied.
• Calculation: The recorded force is in pounds-force (lbf). The Janka hardness rating is the force required to embed the steel ball. For example, if a wood’s hardness rating is 1,200, that means it took 1,200 lbf for that steel ball to embed halfway into the sample of wood. 

Janka’s hardwood hardness scale runs from 0 to 4,000 lbf. Most commercially available wood species fall within this range, with values below 100 or above 4,000 not as relevant for common applications.

How different woods compare on the Janka hardness scale

Understanding how different woods compare on the Janka hardness scale is essential in determining the details of your cabinetry project. 

In general, woods with hardness ratings above 1,000 are ideal if durability is your main concern. However, if workability is a bigger priority, or you’re looking for a specific color or grain pattern, medium-hard and even softwoods may be more suitable. 

Here’s a comparison of different wood species and what their hardness rating means for cabinetry, including a note on how engineered wood fits into all of this. 

Australian buloke

This wood comes from a species of ironwood trees native to Australia. It’s known as being the hardest wood in the world, with a Janka rating of 5,060. Its common applications are:

• Heavy-duty flooring 
• Outdoor construction, like decking or fencing
• Crafting tool handles
• Timber bridge construction
• Fine furniture, like accent pieces 

Australian buloke’s extreme hardness is also its weakness. Its density poses difficulties in machining, cutting, and working with traditional woodworking tools. It often requires specialized tools. This, combined with its significant weight, makes Australian buloke ill-suited for cabinetry but a great choice in the flooring industry. 

Oak

As one of the most popular woods for cabinet doors and boxes, oak provides durability and a lasting finish. White oak is slightly harder than red oak, rating 1,360 and 1,290, respectively. 

While not nearly as hard as Australian buloke, oak ranks high on the Janka hardness scale, making it perfect for cabinets. Here’s why:

• Oak’s hardness indicates exceptional resistance to wear, denting, and damage. This is crucial for cabinets as they often endure constant use and impact.
• The high Janka rating of oak translates to better longevity, meaning oak cabinets are more likely to maintain their structural integrity and appearance over time.
• Known for its dimensional stability, oak is less prone to warping or twisting due to changes in humidity and temperature. This stability is crucial for cabinets.
• While hard, oak is still workable with standard woodworking tools. Craftspeople can customize oak with relative ease compared with extremely hard woods.

Mahogany

Mahogany is a great choice for cabinets thanks to its smooth texture, rich aesthetics, and distinctive grain patterns. And its Janka score of 800 highlights its structural integrity and durability.

While high Janka ratings are associated with increased durability, medium-hard woods like mahogany strike a middle ground. For example, mahogany tops harder woods like walnut (3,684) and ebony (3,220) in terms of workability. You can cut, shape, and join it with precision, allowing for intricate detailing in cabinet construction.

Similarly, the attractive grain patterns and colors of medium-hard woods make them visually appealing for cabinetry. Naturally beautiful woods like cherry and alder also fall into this category.

Even though mahogany is not as resistant to wear and denting as harder species, it’s still durable enough for cabinetry. Remember that extreme hardness is only a major priority in flooring applications. Cabinets won’t experience the same level of wear. 

White pine

One of the softest woods commonly used for cabinets, based on the Janka hardness scale for wood, is white pine. With a hardness rating of around 420, this softwood is more likely to show dents and scratches. Luckily, you can make it more durable by:

• Using protective coatings, like polyurethane, lacquer, or varnish
• Choosing a high-gloss finish, which is more durable than a matte finish
• Installing cabinet hardware, like knobs and handles, to minimize contact
• Keeping your cabinets clean to prevent grit and dirt from causing abrasions
• Avoiding harsh cleaning products, which can break down the protective coating

After taking steps to make it more durable, you can better appreciate all that makes white pine a favorite among homeowners, such as its light color, consistent grain, affordability, and rustic style. These traits make white pine a great choice for low-traffic modern kitchens striving for an airy feel or cottage-style design. 

However, take note of the limitations of softwoods. If your kitchen has a lot of foot traffic and is prone to scrapes, a wood with a higher Janka hardness rating will be more suitable.

HDF and MDF

You may be wondering where engineered woods like medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or high-density fiberboard (HDF) stand on the scale. The answer is they don’t. This is because the hardness of engineered woods varies based on the manufacturer. Plus, the Janka rating normally applies to hardwoods and not particle boards.

But, to give you an idea of their hardness, MDF’s durability is often compared to red oak’s (1,290) on the Janka scale. But HDF is actually more comparable to hickory’s hardness, which sits between 1,700 and 1,820. Therefore, engineered woods are still considered to have a higher hardness rating.

Learn more with The Cabinet Door Store

In conclusion, the Janka hardness scale is a great tool to reference when choosing the wood species for your cabinet doors — but it’s not the only important factor. Balancing a wood’s durability with its workability, affordability, and overall appearance will ensure you end up with the kitchen of your dreams. 

When you’re ready to find the cabinet doors that tick all the boxes, The Cabinet Door Store is here to help. We build all our cabinet doors from a range of durable wood species and stock all the popular styles so you can find the perfect fit. We even offer matching drawer fronts for every cabinet door profile.

Revamping your kitchen has never been easier. Simply choose your desired door style, wood species, stain color, and hardware, and have everything delivered to you in a matter of weeks. To find out more about how we can help, contact us today.