It's A Scientific Fact
The Janka Hardness Scale measures the hardness of wood. The test is designed to measure the force required to embed a 0.444 inch steel ball into wood at least half its diameter. The Janka Test is one of the best indicators of the ability of various wood species to withstand denting and wear. There is a direct correlation between how hard a species is and how suited it is for use outdoors.  One of the most common uses of the Janka test is to determine how suitable a wood is for flooring and furniture making.  As you can see from the chart below, Ipe is approximately 360% harder than Teak.  This translates into an Adirondack chair that is virtually "bullet proof".  Although Teak is a fine wood for most applications, Ipe is the clear choice for those seeking beautiful maintenance free outdoor furniture that is suitable for even the harshest of environments.

View The Original Ipe Adirondack

 

 

Wood Species	Janka Hardness (pounds-force)
Ipe / Brazilian Walnut / Lapacho	3684
Cumaru	3540
Ebony	3220
Brazilian Redwood / Paraju	3190
Angelim Pedra	3040
Bloodwood	2900
Red Mahogany, Turpentine	2697
Spotted Gum	2473
Brazilian Cherry / Jatoba	2350
Mesquite	2345
Santos Mahogany, Bocote, Cabreuva	2200
Pradoo	2170
Brushbox	2135
Karri	2030
Sydney Blue Gum	2023
Bubinga	1980
Cameron	1940
Tallowwood	1933
Merbau	1925
Amendoim	1912
Jarrah	1910
Purpleheart	1860
Goncalo Alves / Tigerwood	1850
Hickory / Pecan, Satinwood	1820
Afzelia / Doussie	1810
Bangkirai	1798
Rosewood	1780
African Padauk	1725
Blackwood	1720
Merbau	1712
Kempas	1710
Locust	1700
Highland Beech	1686
Wenge, Red Pine	1630
Tualang	1624
Zebrawood	1575
True Pine, Timborana	1570
Peroba	1557
Kambala	1540
Sapele / Sapelli	1510
Curupixa	1490
Sweet Birch	1470
Hard Maple / Sugar Maple	1450
Coffee Bean	1390
Natural Bamboo	1380
Australian Cypress	1375
White Oak	1360
Tasmanian Oak	1350
Ribbon Gum	1349
Ash (White)	1320
American Beech	1300
Red Oak (Northern)	1290
Caribbean Heart Pine	1280
Yellow Birch	1260
Movingui	1230
Heart Pine	1225
Carbonized Bamboo	1180
Cocobolo	1136
Brazilian Eucalyptus / Rose Gum	1125
Makore	1100
Boreal	1023
Black Walnut	1010
Teak	1000
Sakura	995
Black Cherry, Imbuia	950
Boire	940
Paper Birch	910
Cedar	900
Southern Yellow Pine (Longleaf)	870
Lacewood, Leopardwood	840
Parana	780
Sycamore	770
Shedua	710
Southern Yellow Pine (Loblolly and Shortleaf)	690
Douglas Fir	660
Larch	590
Chestnut	540
Hemlock	500
White Pine	420
Basswood	410
Eastern White Pine	380
Balsa	100

 

 

 

 

 

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