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Data & figures

4 numbered figures, each drawn from a technical paper on this site and each with its own permalink. Every one carries the table it was built from, so the numbers can be checked rather than trusted.

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Figure 1

Indoor relative humidity against the band hardwood needs

Indoor relative humidity against the band hardwood needsToronto indoor air spends much of the year outside the range hardwood is dimensionally stable in. The shaded band is the safe operating range; the two bars are the seasonal extremes an installed floor actually experiences. The gap between them is why moisture testing, acclimation and expansion gaps are not optional in this city.Safe operating band for hardwood35–55Winter indoor low18–25Summer indoor high60+01530456075% relative humidity

Toronto indoor air spends much of the year outside the range hardwood is dimensionally stable in. The shaded band is the safe operating range; the two bars are the seasonal extremes an installed floor actually experiences. The gap between them is why moisture testing, acclimation and expansion gaps are not optional in this city.

Figure 1 — source data
Condition% relative humidityNote
Safe operating band for hardwood35–55%Where the material is dimensionally stable
Winter indoor low18–25%Heating season
Summer indoor highabove 60%Source states "above 60%" — the upper bound is not published

Source: Climate Mastery — climate reality · Permalink: /data#fig-toronto-indoor-humidity

Figure 2

Janka hardness of the species used in the GTA

Janka hardness of the species used in the GTAResistance to denting, for the five species that account for most Greater Toronto Area hardwood work. Hardness is one variable among several — stability, grain character and finish performance matter equally, and a species chosen on this number alone produces a floor that wears wrong.Hickory1,820Hard maple1,450White oak / European oak≈1,360Red oak (northern)≈1,290Black walnut1,01005001,0001,5002,000Janka rating

Resistance to denting, for the five species that account for most Greater Toronto Area hardwood work. Hardness is one variable among several — stability, grain character and finish performance matter equally, and a species chosen on this number alone produces a floor that wears wrong.

Figure 2 — source data
SpeciesJanka ratingNote
Hickory1,820Extreme durability
Hard maple1,450High-traffic workhorse
White oak / European oak≈1,360Current aesthetic and resale sovereign
Red oak (northern)≈1,290Traditional default
Black walnut1,010Luxury accent

Source: The Intelligent Homeowner's Decision Framework — species · Permalink: /data#fig-janka-hardness-gta

Figure 3

Ontario growing stock, the hardwoods that become floors

Ontario growing stock, the hardwoods that become floorsStanding volume in Ontario by species, from the province’s own 2021 forest inventory. Sugar maple 300,361,212 m³, red oak 85,019,702 m³, yellow birch 82,005,013 m³, ash as a group 42,273,003 m³, basswood 18,444,080 m³. Growing stock is what stands in the forest, not what is cut — Ontario publishes no hardwood-specific harvest volume at all, which is why the harvest is absent from this chart rather than estimated onto it.Sugar maple≈300Red oak≈85Yellow birch≈82Ash (group)≈42Basswood≈180100200300million cubic metres standing

Standing volume in Ontario by species, from the province’s own 2021 forest inventory. Sugar maple 300,361,212 m³, red oak 85,019,702 m³, yellow birch 82,005,013 m³, ash as a group 42,273,003 m³, basswood 18,444,080 m³. Growing stock is what stands in the forest, not what is cut — Ontario publishes no hardwood-specific harvest volume at all, which is why the harvest is absent from this chart rather than estimated onto it.

Figure 3 — source data
Speciesmillion cubic metres standingNote
Sugar maple≈300Largest Ontario flooring hardwood
Red oak≈85Principal tolerant hardwood
Yellow birch≈82Principal tolerant hardwood
Ash (group)≈42Under emerald ash borer pressure
Basswood≈18Not used for flooring

Source: Provenance — growing stock · Permalink: /data#fig-ontario-hardwood-growing-stock

Figure 4

NHLA lumber grades, by required clear-face yield

NHLA lumber grades, by required clear-face yieldWhat each National Hardwood Lumber Association grade requires a board to yield in clear cuttings, under the rulebook effective 1 January 2023: FAS 83-1/3% (10/12), No. 1 Common 66-2/3% (8/12), No. 2A Common 50% (6/12), No. 3A Common 33-1/3% (4/12). This is a lumber grade and it is fixed at the sawmill. It is not the flooring grade on your quote — that is a separate NWFA/NOFMA appearance grade, and the two systems do not cross-reference each other.FAS≈83No. 1 Common≈66No. 2A Common50No. 3A Common≈330255075100% clear-face yield required

What each National Hardwood Lumber Association grade requires a board to yield in clear cuttings, under the rulebook effective 1 January 2023: FAS 83-1/3% (10/12), No. 1 Common 66-2/3% (8/12), No. 2A Common 50% (6/12), No. 3A Common 33-1/3% (4/12). This is a lumber grade and it is fixed at the sawmill. It is not the flooring grade on your quote — that is a separate NWFA/NOFMA appearance grade, and the two systems do not cross-reference each other.

Figure 4 — source data
Species% clear-face yield requiredNote
FAS≈83Boards 6" and wider, 8–16 ft
No. 1 Common≈66Boards 3" and wider, 4–16 ft
No. 2A Common50Minimum cutting 3"×2 ft
No. 3A Common≈33Minimum cutting 3"×2 ft

Source: Grade — nhla yield · Permalink: /data#fig-nhla-clear-face-yield

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