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Trusted Tips & Resources

Carpenter and Renovations Pros at Wood FX Share Information on the Janka Hardness Scale

Wood FX Contracting is a Saskatoon family owned and operated with over 18 years experience. Their carpenters and renovation team consist of hardworking individuals ready to tackle your interior home renovations - big or small! They are on-site daily ensuring client satisfaction. In this article, they explain what the Janka Hardness Scale is. Wood FX are Trusted Saskatoon Carpenter and Renovation Pros!


The Janka Hardness Scale


Hardwood flooring is one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to interior home design, as it is a product that never goes out of style. It’s easy to assume that all hardwood flooring is the same when it comes to durability, but this is actually quite far from the truth. Hardwood’s actual hardness is measured by something called the Janka hardness scale. Let’s take a look at what the Janka scale is and how it works.


What is the Janka Hardness Scale?




The Janka hardness scale is a way of measuring the hardness of a given piece of hardwood. It was invented in the year 1906 by an Austrian wood researcher named Gabriel Janka, and it is an adaptation of the Brinell hardness test for metals. In order to better understand the Janka scale, you first need to know how the Brinell test works. The Brinell hardness test is used to test metal materials that are too coarse or rough to be tested by other means. The test involves a steel ball with a 10mm diameter being pressed into the material’s surface under 3,000 kgs of pressure. The resulting indentation is then examined to determine the hardness of the material.


How Does the Janka Hardness Scale Work?





The Janka hardness scale works in a very similar way to the Brinell test. It measures the pounds of force (lbf) it takes to drive an 11.28 mm diameter steel ball halfway into the surface of a slab of hardwood. A test done on the surface of a board, perpendicular to the grain is called a test of “side hardness”, while the same test being performed on the cut surface of a stump is called a test of “end hardness”. Every hardwood board will not yield the same test result, seeing as the hardness of wood varies with the direction of the wood grain, and will be different from one board to another. While durability issues come up when we look at different types of wood grains, there is usually not much deviation when it comes to differences in separate types of wood material, as estimates usually find the difference to be about plus or minus 10%.


Why is a Janka Hardness Rating Important?





Hardwood flooring is a big investment and will typically cost you a pretty penny, so you’ll want to make sure you are getting top quality wood that is not going to deteriorate or wear down after a few short years. While wood with a low Janka rating can still serve you just fine, it is only going to do so if you live a quieter lifestyle that does not involve your home seeing heavy foot traffic. If you have children and/or pets, try to find hardwood with a higher Janka score. A Janka hardness rating is going to give you a great indication of what kind of wear and tear your hardwood is going to be able to handle, helping you make a smarter decision when it comes to making a purchase.




Any questions about hardwood installation or maintaining your hardwood contact Wood FX Contracting! Wood FX is a Trusted Saskatoon Carpenter and Renovation Pro!


Differences Between Engineered Wood Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring



Engineered Wood Flooring vs. Hardwood Flooring


Engineered hardwood flooring sure has made a name for itself. Some people won't even look it's way, preferring traditional hardwood flooring, but there are of course advantages to both. What advantages does engineered flooring have over regular wood flooring you ask? Let's look at both sides of the equation and compare these two types of flooring so that you get a good look at the complete picture.

Engineered Harwood Flooring


First of all, engineered hardwood has a better reaction when it comes to both temperature and humidity. There are many reasons why companies prefer engineering flooring, it can be built and modified to be longer-lasting, more durable, and more cost-effective than some of its contemporaries. That's not the end of the story, however, so let's take a look at more of the differences.



Hardwood Flooring

In order to install Hardwood flooring, it is required that the floor be nailed into the ground. This is not the case with engineered floors however as glue can be used, or in some cases, staples. So far, we are painting a picture together that highlights engineered flooring as the winner of this battle but there are still two sides to this story. 

Let's say that you have been using a hardwood floor for over 20 years in your home. The chances are that by then it may start to lose its original finish. A tremendous benefit to Hardwood floors is that they can be easily sanded and refinished. This is not the case with engineered wood floors as the amount of true wood surface that on has to work with is limited in comparison.

Hardwood flooring will typically cost more money than its engineered counterpart. However, this is not always the case as there are many different kinds of materials that can be used to construct an Engineered Wood floor. One of the benefits of Hardwood is that it has a reliable material that one can expect to last for decades on end. This is not to downplay engineered hardwood, however, as there are many brands that offer tremendous quality and value for the product.





Now you know have a little more knowledge on what you can expect from both types of flooring, you may see why engineered flooring is making such a splash in the market. With more flexible installation options, an engineer’s design palette and reliable companies backing the product, we believe Engineered Floors offer something of great substance and value to the consumer.

At the end of the day however both hardwood and engineered wood flooring both have many advantages and neither is strictly better than the other. Different situations call for different types of flooring and what matters most is choosing the ideal product that will not only help your floor but also make you happy. Flooring is a big decision and there should be no bigger criteria than customer satisfaction.






Trusted Saskatoon Contractor K & S Contracting Share Tips on Preparing Your Basement for Renovation

K & S Contracting specializes in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan, but they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and surrounding area.

In this Trusted Saskatoon Tip, K & S Contracting discusses preparing your basement for renovation. 

Preparing Your Basement for Renovation


A finished basement is a great space to entertain, relax, or pursue hobbies. Turning a cold, empty, concrete basement into an enjoyable living space takes work and planning. There are a lot of design and functionality options which are up to personal choice, but there are some basic considerations to keep in mind for anyone planning a basement renovation. Before you start, take these tips into consideration for a smooth and successful Renovation. 





Start with the Layout

Plan how the room(s) in the basement will be laid out. Any bedrooms must have windows for safety. Put the main socializing area in a spot with good natural light to draw people in. If you are planning on having a TV viewing room it can be in the darker area away from the windows to reduce glare.


What to Fix Before You Start Renovations


Check for moisture by taping some squares of plastic over the walls and floors. If moisture forms underneath, your basement foundation is likely not sealed. If moisture forms on top, the basement needs dehumidifying.

Small leaks in the foundation can be dealt with yourself using some concrete-patching compound. Landscaping considerations such as sloping away from the foundation and installing gutters that send the water far from the foundation will also help. Any cracks in the foundation wider than a pencil should be checked by a professional structural engineer.

Insulate any exposed water pipes with foam insulation sleeves, and insulate any exposed wiring with high-temperature grade red silicone. If you feel uncomfortable working around electrical wires, have a professional take over this part. Have a professional check the integrity of floor joists, and inspect any fuel burning equipment and the ventilation system to ensure you won’t have carbon monoxide buildup. 

Now You are Ready to Start the Renovations

Now that the basement is ready to go, you can start the actual work! If you would rather not DIY a major project like a basement renovation, the Trusted Contractors at K & S Contracting are ready to help! 


Their services include: 


Trusted Saskatoon contractors K & S Contracting share a tip on How Not To Build a Deck

 K & S Contracting specialize in foundation repair for homeowners across Saskatchewan, but they also offer general contracting services to Saskatoon and surrounding area including:

5 Common deck building mistakes


When people decide to take on the task of becoming a carpenter, one of the first things they try to learn is how to build a deck. While building a deck can be a fun and fulfilling project, simple mistakes could turn a fun project into a costly or even deadly nightmare. Here are 5 of the most common mistakes to avoid when learning how to build a deck. 

Selecting The Wrong Material



One of the worst mistakes to make when building a deck is to select the wrong building material. Often people buy the wrong wood or use nails where braces are needed, etc. Personally I have come across dozens of decks built with fencing material. What seems like a cost cutting method could add up to major costs in just a few years. Most fence material has square edges, which chip and break off under the slightest amount of foot pressure. This wood also tends to be knotty and often warps in any weather condition. 



Incorrect Riser Heights

 

One of the most confusing aspects of building a deck for an aspiring carpenter, is cutting the stringer. There is a little math involved that often causes first timers to make the mistake of cutting incorrect riser heights. All of the risers should be the same length except for the bottom riser. All of the other risers will lose the depth of the tread once it is put on so the bottom riser should be a tread depth smaller than the other risers. It’s an easy mistake to make when taking everything else into account.

Not Sealing Your Deck

 

When a deck is built with pressure treated wood, it is recommended to avoid sealing it for 6 months. For some homeowners, six months can turn into a couple of years before they know it. When a deck is not sealed, it will start rotting in a hurry. Make sure to properly clean and seal your deck and check it often to make sure it doesn’t need to be sealed again. To check your deck before you wreck your deck, pour a little water on it to see if it absorbs. If the water is absorbed, it is time to seal it again. A little maintenance goes a long way.



 

 Incorrect placement of Beam Splices

 

More often than not, beginning carpenters make the assumption that separating the distance of beam splices between the different plies is important. While it can help if done properly, It is more important to make sure your splices sit on top of posts. Some designs make it possible to stagger the splices and sit them atop separate posts but if this isn’t possible, make sure sit your splices on top of your posts, even if they are only inches apart between plies. If you avoid this warning, you could be rebuilding after inspection. 






Improper Drainage 

This mistake is actually a series of mistakes that many budding builders make. When building your deck, you want to make sure the water drains in an efficient manner. If the deck is attached directly to your house, it is important to use the proper flashing to make sure water doesn’t accumulate on the side of your house, rotting your structure. It is also important to leave a little space between your planks to allow for drainage. Last but not least, consider sloping your deck .25 inches for every 12 inches away from your house. Doing this will help keep water from accumulating on your deck. 

 

Building a deck can be a fun and rewarding experience as long as you plan ahead and avoid these and other costly mistakes. Happy Building!

READ MORE CLIENT REVIEWS HERE ON THEIR WEBSITE K & S Contracting are Saskatoon’s Trusted Contractor for ICF Foundations..."They will get you back on solid ground!"

K & S Contracting are Trusted Saskatoon General Contractors and foundation specialists

 

 

 

 

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