Maple Vs Oak Wood Flooring

Many people prefer maple over other types of hardwood due to it s unique grain and light delicate color.

Maple vs oak wood flooring.

Other types of maple flooring are softer and they should be avoided. To bring your flooring costs down even further consider second or third grade maple wood. Durable maple flooring is extremely hard and dent resistant even more so than oak flooring. Maple is commonly used for bowling alleys dance floors and high end homes.

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. 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. Exotic hardwoods such as teak and mahogany will cost more. Three essential factors make oak and maple stand apart from each other appearance durability and pricing.

Hard maple is a premier flooring material. It s comparable in price to oak cherry and ash which are also american hardwoods. Oak offers more options as far as grain pattern and will provide a richer look when used as cabinetry or flooring. Maple wood is harder than oak but not as stable.

They also come in different species which makes the choosing process tricky. This is largely because it is virtually non porous. Overall white oak is the best choice for projects that call for water resistant decay resistant wood. 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.

Differences between oak and maple flooring. 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. Hickory takes stain well and so does oak.

Red oak flooring is also durable but with its more prominent grain lines it s more time consuming to maintain. The strength and consistency of oak measures up well against maple hardwood flooring and traditional themes demand the use of traditional building materials. 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.

Its durable and glassy surface finishes to a high gloss that can take punishment. There are two types of oak available red oak and white oak. Maple is lighter more affordable and works well in contemporary spaces and for indoor projects. A recent survey of retailers we conducted found these hardwood flooring prices for just the material.

3 15 to 7 00 per square foot. Which style of flooring is the easiest to stain or refinish. They differ a lot in grain patterns and colours. This is largely because it is virtually non porous.