Is Oak Hardwood Better Than Maple

Where you use the hardwood is more important than its density and hardness.

Is oak hardwood better than maple.

By the time the same quality of materi8al is purchased in an oak floor the cost is pretty close to that of maple. The non porous property of maple doesn t hold stain well. It has light graining patterns with wavy curly and straight lines. Dark stains may look blotchy on maple hardwood.

But hardness doesn t always translate into durability. Although i love the uniform look of maple i m concerned wear and tear ie scuff marks dents etc will show easily. Maple is a creamy white hardwood that sometimes has a reddish tinge. Harder woods can be susceptible to decay while softer wood resists it.

Maple wood is harder than oak but not as stable. 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. Maple timber is less porous than oak making it more resistant to dents and scratching. One of the hardest wood species maple is often chosen for heavy use items like dressers and kitchen cabinets.

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 cannot absorb stain as well as oak mainly due to its consistency. It is harder than red oak for improved indentation resistance and also very versatile for staining and texturing. Maple has a lighter and creamier complexion than oak.

Less character for some people the lack of a distinctive grain pattern. 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. Maple is harder than oak. It can take a beating and look great for years.

Cons of maple hardwood. Fewer imperfections maple has a consistent grain pattern that is more subtle than oak with fewer imperfections. Prefinished maple hardwood comes in a wide range of hues. 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. It is also much costlier than oak. Its longevity also depends on the condition of the wood and the way it is installed. Maple is less porous than oak which makes it slightly more susceptible to dents and scratches.

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. Less expensive maple is slightly lower in price than oak. The price difference is usually anywhere from 1 to 5 per square foot. Maple hardwood can be broadly placed into two types hard maple and soft maple.