Specifications & Sale Pricing Updated July 23, 2010 Click REFRESH/RELOAD on the HOME PAGE for critical updates.New Page? ... SCROLL DOWN ... |
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Janka Hardness Rating Scale For Wood Flooring Species
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This is a partial list which
contains some of the most popular choices in wood flooring. I have also included some more exotic species for your reference. |
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3684 |
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1510 |
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3684 |
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1490 |
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3684 |
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1470 |
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3220 |
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1450 |
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3190 |
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1450 |
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3190 |
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1390 |
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3040 |
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1380 |
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2900 |
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1375 |
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2473 |
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1360 |
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2350 |
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1320 |
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2350 |
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1300 |
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2345 |
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1290 |
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2200 |
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1280 |
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2200 |
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1260 |
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2200 |
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1230 |
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2170 |
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1225 |
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2135 |
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1180 |
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2030 |
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1136 |
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2023 |
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1125 |
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1980 |
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1125 |
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1940 |
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1100 |
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1925 |
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1023 |
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1912 |
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1010 |
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1910 |
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1000 |
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1860 |
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995 |
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1850 |
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950 |
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1850 |
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950 |
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1820 |
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940 |
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1820 |
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910 |
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1820 |
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900 |
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1810 |
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1810 |
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(Longleaf) |
870 |
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1798 |
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840 |
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1780 |
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840 |
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1725 |
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790 |
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1720 |
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770 |
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1712 |
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710 |
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1710 |
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1700 |
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690 |
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1575 |
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660 |
Northern (ON) Red Pine |
1575 |
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590 |
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1575 |
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540 |
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1570 |
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500 |
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1570 |
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380 |
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1557 |
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380 |
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1540 |
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310 |
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1510 |
In addition ... Marreed-Prestman prepares your Red Pine Floor — using professional 'pine floor' finishing equipment — ready for finishing as normal — then, we "uniformly break/unlock the grain" of the wood surface using my (proprietary) Cold Sand ™ Method. (Cold Sanding opens the 'mill burnished" pores of the wood to more readily accept the impregnation of "Diamond-Tough" Aluminum-Oxide resin.)
Note: One should be aware of a "mass-market" or "less knowledgeable" craftsman who's methods may inadvertently burnish (seal/glaze) the wood surface by Hot Sanding thus inhibiting stain and/or resin impregnation — or worse — a "craftsman" who applies a 'Sanding Sealer' which not only inhibits stain and/or resin penetration (as it is intended to do for certain applications) but undermines the bonding and durability of the final finishing top-coats. Lastly, be aware of a "craftsman" who — usually, without informing you — brush-coats a wood floor instead of doing professional (pour down) flood-coats. Flood-Coating using oil based resin — as a skill — is rare today because it requires years of experience and skilled techniques to ensure impregnation of the seams and butt-ends and to ensure thick, even and a long-lasting finish.
"I've read the information on your website but I don't understand why it is 'the exact opposite' of any research I have done. Is your pine different?"
Softwood or Soft Wood?
On a related matter; Pineflooring.ca uses winter-cut and kiln-dried Northern Ontario Red Pine (N.O.R.P.) which weighs ~40 lbs/cu.ft. (prior to kiln-drying) whereas, Marreed-Prestman has never and will never consider using any White or Yellow Pines or Eastern (NB) Red Pine for flooring as their density/hardness is about half that of N.O.R.P.
Why 'the inherent' discrepancy' between logic and reality?
Why is the Softwood label misleading, and perhaps, unfair to consumers?
People are surprised to hear that a modern-day (two person) canoe has the strength to carry thousands of pounds of weight, glide effortlessly over lakes and still have the stretch-ability required to bounce off of white-water river rocks and canyon walls ... that is the strength and flexibility of aluminium-oxide cured resins with today's "diamond tough" resin curing additives.
Lastly, "Pine People" know better than to "throw the baby out with the bath water" ... we want "the ambience" of the birch bark canoe for its connection to nature as it affects our living environment. Pine People value the warmth and beauty of Red Pine and understand the benefits of 'modern technology' ... they do not want a synthetic 'pine' floor. As such, potential Client's inherently research their purchasing decision.
RED PINE "U"
The Janka Hardness Scale for Wood Species
The Cure
Red Pine is a dense substrate (in comparison to other types of wood) and space-age Aluminum-Oxide cured resin is more durable than traditional Epoxy Cured urethane and polyurethane ... and amazingly, about twice (~2X) as durable as "prefinished" floor finishes whereby manufacturers use acid and titanium additives because these fluid resins allow the use of NANO-technology (micro-spray film) that cures instantly under ultraviolet light (UL) and result in great production speed. But, people are human to a fault and, "inherent facts" will always remain in their lexicon. Marreed-Prestman understands the myths and the misunderstandings that are prevalent in the marketplace so — be fair to yourself — consider the valuable information provided throughout my website before you invest in wood flooring of any kind. Because, an educated Client is predisposed to the Intrinsic Value of the flooring work I do.
JANKA Rating, Client Question
Question: "I note Janka Hardness ratings for Red Pine vary dramatically, from 1575 noted on your website to the mid 500's on other's sites. Why is this? Thanks, Doug, Mississauga, ON."
Answer: Hi Doug: Thank you for visiting "a married and depressed man" .... A. Marreed & D. Prestman 'Distressed' Pine Flooring Inc. at www.pineflooring.ca . As per your inquiry: JANKA (J) Ratings for various wood species are determined by the number of pounds of pressure required, to halfway press a steel ball, with a diameter of .444 inches, into the topside and ends of a board.
"Janka is an International Standard Test for Relative Hardness. In North America, certifiable test results are provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Services, Forest Products Laboratory.
Other 'testing' sources, such as, 'hardwood' flooring associations have their own rating systems that, in some cases, are based on 'self-interest' and 'tradition' including "coniferous and deciduous" 'ratings' and 'classifications' that defy logic and lack scientific testing and certification.Livability is Measured by Performance and Lifestyle
Red Pine has a rating of 1575 (J) on the Janka Hardness Rating Scale (J) For Wood Flooring Species. Therefore, Northern Ontario Red Pine is approximately four times (~ 4X) more dense and harder than (any) of the White Pine(s) which have an average rating of ~ 0380 (J) ... but, more surprisingly, N.O.R.P. has a "hardness and durability" rating that is slightly higher than a number of American hardwood species. Top off that amazing fact, consider that N.O.R.P. has twenty-two annual rings per inch of thickness (slow growth) — that is an average of 22 years of growth per inch of 'width — whereas White Pine growth rings are less dense (fast growth) at eight (8) rings per inch of thickness.
Having said that, Livability is not measured solely by Hardness and Durability, it is measured by 'Warmth', Performance and Lifestyle ... a decision in favour of a casual, yet sophisticated, flooring material and 'Diamond-Tough' finish for a more carefree lifestyle.
Consider this as well ... when a 'perfectly' manufactured hardwood floor is dinged, dented or scratched, its "man-made perfection" is lost". The Consumer is 'forever' disappointed with the livability and enjoyment of their floor. Whereas, my new 'distressed' Northern Ontario Red Pine floor can take the abuse by camouflaging normal "wear and tear" and Livability actually improves ' as the floor ages.
"The Eye is Not Drawn to a Single Imperfection".
Value Package
Furthermore, White and Yellow Pines and other true Soft Woods, are 'offensive' (to the perception of Northern RED PINE) only because an uninformed client usually assumes all pines are "too soft" for rustic yet, sophisticated flooring ... without regard for the extraordinary durability of Northern Ontario Red Pine and perhaps, for the Value Package I offer in Premium Materials, Expert Installation and Artistic Finishing.
"A Higher Authority"
PineFlooring.ca aims to educate and entertain potential Clients for "Kid-and-Dog Friendly Flooring." of Heritage and Intrinsic Value. My website represents a culmination of years of research and experience.
PineFlooring.ca has been referred to by lawyers and consumers as "An Authority" by 'connecting' my knowledge and experience (as illustrated within this website) to further their legal cases in "Ontario Small Claims Court" ... in support of their 'Flooring Battles' with commodity-oriented retailers, unresponsive builders and schlock contractors. I ask you, my potential Client's, to respect the fact that PineFlooring.ca is not intended as such for the wood industry nor, for disenchanted consumers. PineFlooring.ca is intended to fulfill my goal of educating and entertaining Pine Lovers and securing the 'sale' of handcrafted and artistic wideplank wood floors ... for a knowledgeable and appreciative audience.
I hope you are being entertained and informed?
Questions, comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Can I clarify "a fact" for you?
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