Is Oak Hardwood Better Than Maple

Maple is a creamy white hardwood that sometimes has a reddish tinge.

Is oak hardwood better than maple.

Prefinished maple hardwood comes in a wide range of hues. Maple is harder than oak. The non porous property of maple doesn t hold stain well. Differing sub species of each variety also play an important role when considering the choices between oak and maple.

Maple hardwood can be broadly placed into two types hard maple and soft maple. It can take a beating and look great for years. Less expensive maple is slightly lower in price than oak. Hardwood harvested from the outer wood of the trunk or sapwood is usually a light creamy white color while hardwood harvested from the center of the tree or heartwood is a deeper shade of brown with a slight reddish hue.

Maple wood is harder than oak but not as stable. Maple is less porous than oak which makes it slightly more susceptible to dents and scratches. We decided to get hardwood throughout the main floor of our newbuild except foyer and powder room and are now facing the dilemma of maple vs oak. Cons of maple hardwood.

It is also much costlier than oak. One of the hardest wood species maple is often chosen for heavy use items like dressers and kitchen cabinets. Although hard maple is very stable compared to other species some consumers believe that it is more likely than hardwood oak to twist and warp. Using white oak in design white oak is on trend due to the variety of stain colors available straight grain and contemporary appearance.

Homeowners attempting to match new portions of maple hardwood with older sections often find the task challenging. Dark stains may look blotchy on maple hardwood. It has light graining patterns with wavy curly and straight lines. Maple timber is less porous than oak making it more resistant to dents and scratching.

Fewer imperfections maple has a consistent grain pattern that is more subtle than oak with fewer imperfections. The price difference is usually anywhere from 1 to 5 per square foot. At hearthwood we have more white oak offerings than any other specie. Although i love the uniform look of maple i m concerned wear and tear ie scuff marks dents etc will show easily.

By the time the same quality of materi8al is purchased in an oak floor the cost is pretty close to that of maple. Its longevity also depends on the condition of the wood and the way it is installed. Initially it seems that maple is more costly than the other most popular choice in hardwood flooring oak but that is not necessarily the case. Harder woods can be susceptible to decay while softer wood resists it.

But hardness doesn t always translate into durability. Where you use the hardwood is more important than its density and hardness. Maple has a lighter and creamier complexion than oak. It is harder than red oak for improved indentation resistance and also very versatile for staining and texturing.