Maple Vs Oak Wood Flooring

Overall white oak is the best choice for projects that call for water resistant decay resistant wood.

Maple vs oak wood flooring.

To bring your flooring costs down even further consider second or third grade maple wood. 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. Three essential factors make oak and maple stand apart from each other appearance durability and pricing. Oak wins over maple when you want a dark or dramatic but for neutral tones or to lighten up a space oak is less popular.

Hard maple is a premier flooring material. Fewer imperfections maple has a consistent grain pattern that is more subtle than oak with fewer imperfections. Choosing between maple vs oak hardwood flooring can be challenging. They also come in different species which makes the choosing process tricky.

This is largely because it is virtually non porous. 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. Many people prefer maple over other types of hardwood due to it s unique grain and light delicate color. Maple is commonly used for bowling alleys dance floors and high end homes.

Maple on the other hand is more challenging to coat with stain. Other types of maple flooring are softer and they should be avoided. 3 15 to 7 00 per square foot. Depending on your location and the brand it could be red or white oak but either is cheaper than quality maple or hickory flooring.

Red oak has a reddish rosy tone and a medium to heavy grain pattern. There are two types of oak available red oak and white oak. Differences between oak and maple flooring. Hickory takes stain well and so does oak.

Its durable and glassy surface finishes to a high gloss that can take punishment. It s comparable in price to oak cherry and ash which are also american hardwoods. Maple grows relatively quickly and abundantly around the u s which keeps the cost of this wood low. This is largely because it is virtually non porous.

Which style of flooring is the easiest to stain or refinish. The strength and consistency of oak measures up well against maple hardwood flooring and traditional themes demand the use of traditional building materials. Red oak flooring is also durable but with its more prominent grain lines it s more time consuming to maintain. Maple wood is harder than oak but not as stable.

Oak has been used for centuries and will continue to be in demand for generations. Oak offers more options as far as grain pattern and will provide a richer look when used as cabinetry or flooring. Maple is lighter more affordable and works well in contemporary spaces and for indoor projects. They differ a lot in grain patterns and colours.