Maple wood is very strong, which makes it a natural choice for flooring. In fact, maple is the second most popular choice for hardwood floors in the United States, just behind the oak. And many homeowners prefer engineered maple flooring, which is available at our store. We also offer matching wood trim to add a finishing touch to your new floors.
In this article, we’ll talk about different types of maple wood to help you choose the right option for your floors.
Types of Maple Wood
With its light natural finish, clean surface, and subtle grain pattern, maple flooring can add a warm, natural look to any room. But choosing the right type for your home can often be a challenge because there are so many factors to consider when it comes to the appearance and performance of maple wood.
When you are looking to buy maple wood flooring, there are two major categories of maple wood to choose from: soft maple and hard maple. There are many species that fall under the category of soft maple. However, just one species is known as Hard Maple – Acer Saccharum. Hard maple is heavy, hard, strong, tough, stiff, close-grained, and possesses a uniform texture. It’s a more durable variety of wood flooring, resistant to abrasive wear. Soft maple tends to be very similar to hard maple but much lighter in density. Nonetheless, soft maple is sturdy enough for many applications.
Solid maple hardwood flooring is a durable and more costly option because it is made from a single woodblock. It is installed with a tongue-and-groove system when each board is blind-nailed to the subfloor. Solid maple can be refinished multiple times and holds up well to wear and tear in an active household. It is easy to clean with simple sweeping and vacuuming. But it’s susceptible to moisture damage and can swell as a consequence.
Engineered maple hardwood flooring is a budget-friendly alternative to solid maple. It is easier for DIYers to install as a floating floor, or it can also be glued down against a concrete subfloor. Maple engineered wood flooring has a base of recycled scrap wood that helps the flooring resist moisture more effectively and a top layer of attractive maple hardwood. Its plywood construction makes it more stable and less susceptible to warping. An engineered maple floor is a better option if you are looking to install your floor in a moist environment, for example, a basement, bathroom, or against a concrete subfloor. Besides, engineered wood uses less hardwood, so it’s a better choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
Another thing you have to consider when you are shopping for maple flooring is whether you want unfinished or
prefinished wood flooring. Prefinished floors are easy to maintain and clean because the pre-applied finish is very durable.
