Is Oak Hardwood Better Than Maple

Maple is harder than oak.

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. Less expensive maple is slightly lower in price than oak. It has light graining patterns with wavy curly and straight lines. The non porous property of maple doesn t hold stain well.

The price difference is usually anywhere from 1 to 5 per square foot. But hardness doesn t always translate into durability. Less character for some people the lack of a distinctive grain pattern. Maple is affordable and ultra durable.

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. 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. Maple wood is harder than oak but not as stable.

Using white oak in design white oak is on trend due to the variety of stain colors available straight grain and contemporary appearance. Harder woods can be susceptible to decay while softer wood resists it. Fewer imperfections maple has a consistent grain pattern that is more subtle than oak with fewer imperfections. Dark stains may look blotchy on maple hardwood.

At hearthwood we have more white oak offerings than any other specie. Maple cannot absorb stain as well as oak mainly due to its consistency. 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 is less porous than oak which makes it slightly more susceptible to dents and scratches.

It is harder than red oak for improved indentation resistance and also very versatile for staining and texturing. Cons of maple hardwood. Maple timber is less porous than oak making it more resistant to dents and scratching. It can take a beating and look great for years.

Differing sub species of each variety also play an important role when considering the choices between oak and maple. It is also much costlier than oak. Where you use the hardwood is more important than its density and hardness. One of the hardest wood species maple is often chosen for heavy use items like dressers and kitchen cabinets.

Maple is a creamy white hardwood that sometimes has a reddish tinge. Maple has a lighter and creamier complexion than oak. Maple hardwood can be broadly placed into two types hard maple and soft maple. 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.