Why wood density matters for your safety.

Ever wondered about the hardest and softest woods in the world?

You've likely run into the Janka Scale, the ICC, the AWC – or a combination of these resources!

Understanding the hardness of wood species is crucial in interior design specifications due to its direct impact on both applicability and fire rating. 

The Janka hardness scale, which measures a wood's resistance to indentation, helps designers select suitable materials for various applications. 

Harder woods, such as oak or maple, are often preferred for high-traffic areas like flooring, while softer woods, such as pine or cedar, may be more appropriate for decorative elements. 

The 'Relative Hardness' chart below are a good example to showcase the offering on popular interior hardwoods. The Janka ratings of different wood species helps you choose flooring that balances style, functionality, and durability.

There are so many great resources online to learn more! 

Additionally, in the context of fire safety, knowledge of wood hardness aids in selecting materials that meet specific fire rating requirements, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and safety in interior design projects.

The American Wood Council has a published study here to learn more about the Class for each wood.
https://awc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AWC-DCA1-FlameSpreadPerformance-1906.pdf

Always reference your building codes to understand which occupancy requires which finish type. 
The International Code Council has so much information as commercial specifiers for us to build healthier safer environments.
Learn more here: https://codes.iccsafe.org/s/IBC2018/chapter-8-interior-finishes/IBC2018-Ch08-Sec803.13

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