In the 1980?s, Red Oak flooring revolutionized the hardwood flooring industry but with new technology and demands, a stronger, more durable and beautiful hardwood has been discovered that has a more sophisticated look. Ipe(also known as Brazilian Walnut) offers all those qualities and when comparing the Janka Hardness and fire rating, coupled with the warm natural beauty of the wood, you begin to understand why Ipe flooring is the wood flooring for the future.
What is Janka hardness?
The Wikipedia definition states: ?The Janka hardness test measures the hardness of wood. It involves measuring the force required to embed an 11.28 millimeter (0.444 inch) steel ball into wood to half its diameter. This method was chosen so that the result would leave an indention 100 square millimeters in size. It is one of the best measures of the ability of a wood species to withstand denting and wear?.
Red Oak has a rating of 1290 compared to Ipe at 3640. In essence, Ipe flooring is 3 times stronger than Red Oak.
What is the fire spread rating?
Business dictionary states:? it is the rough measure of a material’s propensity to burn rapidly and spread flames?. Red Oak has a class III rating whilst Ipe is at class I, the same as concrete and steel. This is an excellent safety feature for commercial applications.
Red Oak is generally a medium colour and varies widely in grain where Ipe is a darker grain colour. It has a more traditional look whereas Ipe fits both traditional and contemporary settings. The physical attributes are quite visible but its non-visible properties give you a good idea of these woods longevity and durability. Red Oak served its purpose for the19 80′s but with technological advances and more responsible forest harvesting available, Ipe floors are quickly becoming the hottest product for your wood flooring selection.
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P.S. Sorry for my bad english