Woods plays an essential part in construction, furniture, and interior decoration. There is thousands type of wood, used for various types of projects. In Wood qualities, priority is its hardness. Which is measured concerning its resistance against denting and scratching. To find the right wood, builders check the strength of wood.

While measuring the Strength of wood there are few qualities of wood that are checked. These qualities are its density, compressive resistance, and resistance against bending and hardness by pounds-force (IBF). Its density gives the idea of its weight in specific volume; its compressive resistance shows how much weight a plank of wood can bear before it ruptures up; its bending resistance shows either it has the power to stay in shape for long while. A dense wood with packed fibers is always best in strength.

Scale for measuring the hardness of Wood Janka hardness scale is used to measure the hardness of the wood. This indicates how many pounds of force (IBF) are needed to put a 0.444 inches steel ball into the surface of the wood. It exactly shows how much force any wood needs, more forces required will increase Janka rating which indicates more strength.

Top 7 hardest types of wood in the world

1. Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF

It is an ironwood tree which is found in Australia, mostly it is gain from a type of trees found in Eastern and Southern Australia. It is famous as the world`s hardest woods. It has Janka ratting of 5,060 ibf.

2. Schinopsis brasiliensis – 4,800 IBF

Schinopsis Brasiliensis wood comes from a flowering plant species of the Cashew family which is found in Brazil. It is the second hardest wood in the world. Its hardness and strength make it useful for construction. It has Janka ratting of 4,800 ibf.

3. Schinopsis balansae – 4,570 IBF

The Schinopsis balance is a tall tree found in the forest of Argentina and Paraguay. It is also famous for its height which reaches 24 meters in length. It’s the third hardest wood in the world. It`s Janka ratting is 4,570 ibf.

4. Lignum vitae – 4,500 IBF

Lignum Vitae is extracted from the trees of the genus Guaiacum which are found in the Caribbean north coast of South America. It is also good in resistance against water. Which makes it suitable for the construction of ships etc. Its Janka hardness is 4,500 IBF,

5. Piptadenia Macrocarpa – 3,840 IBF

Piptadenia Macrocarpa is found in Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru, it comes on 5th number in the list of hardest woods, It is very hard and enduring wood, its Janka hardness rating is 3.840.

6. Snakewood – 3,800 IBF

Snakewood is found in South America. It has very much figured grain in it along with being exotic hardwood. It has many uses like construction and some other applications. It has dense wood which is suitable for different projects. Its Janka rating is 3,800 IBF.

7. Brazilian Olivewood – 3,700 IBF

Brazilian Olivewood is mostly found in Brazil. It is used in flooring and different types of furniture. Along with an amazing aesthetic, it has properties involving ruggedness and strength. It has Janka ratting of 3,700 ibf.

What is the most expensive wood?

Grenadil, African Blackwood, is the most expensive wood in the world. Its color varies from red to black. It is considered as flowering plant. Grenadi is dense and shining wood. It is used in musical instruments. Even though it is the most expensive wood but it is considered as an endangered species. It is found in Tanzania and Mozambique.
Let’s see some other types of most expensive woods.

Top 6 most expensive types of wood

 1. African Blackwood

African Blackwood is the most expensive wood on the planet. It usually grows in a short tree mainly found only in southern areas of the Sahara desert in Africa. Its plant is exceptionally slow-growing and the tree itself is not more than fifty feet in height. But it does not get mature until it is 200 years of his age. This extremely slow growth ensures its density and hence it is very hard and strong due to which it the most expensive wood. It is cherished for its almost black color with purple tones. It is used in artistic production and expensive musical instruments, both small strung and woodwind. Another feature for making African black wood the most expensive on earth is its oily nature which prevents it from getting rusted. It is very durable and does not decay in years. A log of African Blackwood can cost up to 9000$.

2. Sandalwood

Sandalwood, a unique aromatic wood, is one of the most expensive woods found in the world. It is often obtained from a unique tree mostly located in the south-eastern parts of Asia and the islands around the South Pacific Ocean. Sandalwood, being an expensive wood, is mostly used for religious and holy purposes more than craft or woodwork. Its tree consists of several aromatic, organic oils therefore it is widely used in very expensive perfumes and fragrances. Sandalwood is the most expansive wood for another reason also, it has been used for skin care for centuries and nowadays it is being used in high-quality skincare products. Another feature of being the most expensive wood is that Sandalwood has this unique characteristic to conserve its flavor and aroma for years. It is also used in manufacturing several medicines. Its cost ranges from $70 to $250 per kilogram.

3. Pink Ivory

Pink Ivory, often known as red ivory, claimed to be rare than diamonds is one of the most expensive woods in the world. It is an extremely rarely found wood species and is cherished mainly because of its unique neon shade. Its shades vary from a light brownish pink to blazing purplish red tones. . This unique, unusual wood is strong and hard and has a fine texture. This exotic, South African wood is largely found in the forests of Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. Pink Ivory is very highly dense, durable, and strong and along with that, its sheer texture makes it one of the most expensive woods in the world. It is widely used for different purposes on a large scale. When used in making furniture, it gives a great finish. It is also used in making jewelry. Other uses of pink ivory are made in manufacturing cutlery, dental veneers, musical instruments, billiards, and other luxury items. Its cost ranges up to $80 for one board foot of bright, dazzling shaded wood.

4. Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is also known as Amaranth is another most expensive wood in the world. It is mainly found in some parts of Central America. It is not found very commonly and is a rare species. It has extreme durability and it can resist insect attack and decay with time which is one of the reasons for its expensive rate. Also, it is water-resistant that is why it has been largely used in ship decks and floor. However, the main feature which makes it one of the most expensive woods in the world is its uniqueness. The actual color of the tree, Purple Heart is greyish brown. But the wood converts to purple color as soon as UV rays hit it after being cut down. It is mostly cherished for its unique purple color. It is largely used in making furniture, wood items, and boat-making.

5. Agarwood

Agarwood is also known as Gaharu. It is a resinous that occurs in trees linked to genus Aquilaria. It is considered as the most expensive material because of its more than $100k per kg. Mold infected trees usually produce it. It is fragrant product of both wealth and luxury. Agarwood produced aroma has been given very much importance in various cultures and religions from centuries. It has worth of $32 B in the global market. Its demand is still very high and so is its price. The Aquilaria tree is found in South Asia on the Himalayan foothills. It is also found in Papua New Guinea. It mostly grows 500m above sea level.

6. Holly

Holly is a whitish wood. It is used in different crafts, carving, and inlay applications. It has a pale color with a smooth texture on the surface. It is used in piano and keys of organs and also for lines of inlay. Even though it possesses a small size but it grows very gradually. Which is its very unique quality. Its rare characteristics give it a very unlike wood look. Its narrow grains make it a hardwood. Where it has bundles of good qualities there are some bad ones too. Among which taking stain is on top. Its prices are very high which start from $6 to $40 depending upon its purity. Color and quality are the other two main factors of which increase and decrease its prices.