Do you want hardwood floors made from a species that's durable, eco-friendly and light in color? Maple might be a good fit for you! Here are the pros and cons to this type of wood flooring.
Pros to Maple Hardwood Floors
- Durability - Maple is very dense and the second hardest type of wood on the Janka scale (it rates at 1450). It's a great choice for wood flooring because it's so dent-resistant; in fact, its durability is one reason it's commonly used in bowling alleys.
- Appearance - This species is a light, warm color with a subtle grain pattern, giving it a calm and clean appearance. It fits into many different types of color palettes and room styles, making it an ideal fit for those that want versatility in their home design.
- Sustainability - Because of its short growing life, maple is a very environmentally friendly species to choose. Plus, it's common and durable enough that using reclaimed maple is an eco-friendly option to consider as well.
Cons to Maple Hardwood Floors
- Staining - Unfortunately, maple doesn't stain well. It tends to look blotchy, so if you do decide to stain this species, make sure you hire a professional. We'd also recommend choosing a very dark color so the blotchiness adds texture instead of being distracting. However, if you do want your maple to be more of a medium hue, you can always dye and seal it. As Houzz explains, "Whereas stains deposit solid pigments into the wood, dyes color the wood without leaving a residue behind, and consequently you achieve a greater degree of clarity."
- Temperature & Humidity Changes - This species is very reactive when it comes to temperature and humidity changes. Depending on where you live, you may need to control these changes within your home very carefully to protect your maple wood flooring.
- Scratching - Although Maple is durable, because the grain is so smooth it scratches very easily. The lighter the shade, the more visible these scratches will be. The good news is there are rubbing compound waxes that will remove scratches that appear, although it does take some elbow grease.
- Yellowing - All hardwood floors change color as they're exposed to light over time. Maple tends to become more yellow with age, which is something to be aware of before investing in this species.
Do you need help finding the perfect wood flooring for your home? Our experts can help! Come visit our showroom or contact us for a free in-home estimate today.
Aged Maple Praline flooring photo courtesy of Mirage
