About Maple Hardwood Floors

If you've watched a basketball game, you've likely seen maple floors in action. This super dense hardwood is also popular with homeowners who appreciate the soft tones, delicate grain patterns, and overall durability maple offers. Its intense hardness makes it an optimal choice for your active household, no matter the design style. 

What Is Maple Hardwood Flooring?

Crafted from the domestic maple tree, maple wood floors feature solid hardwood planks in light natural tones with clear grain lines. This popular flooring choice works especially well in contemporary, modern, and eclectic designs. Thanks to its density, maple gives you the look of traditional hardwood with the resistance of modern flooring technology, as it naturally resists dents and dings. 

Appearance

If you’re looking for a clean, polished look, maple floors might be the perfect fit for your home because hard maple flooring doesn't have the sharp contrasts of other species, like oak. Its natural finish ranges from light brown to milky white and is accented by a fine, mostly straight grain pattern. Together, they create the clean, consistent look that maple is popular for. 

Durability and Maintenance

Maple flooring consists of extremely hard, dense wood, making it an optimal choice for high-traffic areas like basketball courts and busy homes. Keep in mind that the light color of the wood means it will show scratches more prominently than many other wood types. You can keep imperfections at bay by using rugs and runners to help protect and extend the life of your maple hardwood floors. 

When cleaning maple hardwood floors, stick to dry methods like a soft broom or dry mop. Moisture of any kind, as well as temperature fluctuations over time, can cause hard maple flooring to split, warp, or shrink. Read the manufacturer’s guide that comes with your flooring for specific care instructions. 

Lifespan

When used in basketball courts or other sports arenas, the life expectancy of maple hardwood flooring averages about 40 years. Unless you have the foot traffic of an entire basketball team trampling about in your home, the lifespan of your maple floors can extend for generations under the right conditions. 

These include: 

• Proper installation
• Using high-quality wood and installation materials
• Regular maintenance that follows the manufacturer's guidelines

Installation

Maple hardwood flooring is compatible with three installation options: staple, nail, or glue down. Professional installation is recommended, as skilled experts will know which method is best and ensure your beautiful new floors are installed properly and to warranty standards. 

Regardless of your installation method, it's imperative that you acclimate the hard maple planks to your home for at least 72 hours before installation. Though this applies to any type of solid hardwood, it's especially important with maple since it's the species most affected by humidity. 

Advantages of Maple Hardwood Flooring

If you’re considering investing in maple flooring, you’ll be pleased to know there are several advantages:

• Maple hardwood is a sustainable choice since they’re fast-growing domestic trees. 
• The dense hardwood can withstand your kids running underfoot. 
• Maple offers a smooth neutral color palette with tight, subtle grain. 
• The cost won't break your bank account, as maple hardwood is one of the more affordable hardwood options. 

Disadvantages of Maple Hardwood Floors

There are a few drawbacks to keep in mind when it comes to maple flooring. 

• Humidity affects this species more than others.
• It can warp or shrink in high-moisture conditions. 
• Since it's a light color, scratches are more visible. 
• Maple floors don't accept stains well due to their tight, dense grain. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is maple good for hardwood floors?

Maple is a smart selection for hardwood flooring, especially for active households. The density and shock resistance of hard maple floors makes them a safe bet if you've got little ones or pets.

Is maple hardwood better than oak?

The two hardwoods are comparable, but maple hardwood is better than oak in some areas and worse in others. While both are beautiful, lighter-hued flooring options, maple hardwood is harder than oak. But maple does stain poorly, whereas oak stains well and hides scratches more easily. Depending on your household needs and lifestyle, maple might be better than oak.  

How hard is maple hardwood flooring?

Maple hardwood floors are considered among the harder wood species, stronger than pine, birch, and oak. The resilience of hard maple floors explain why they're used for sports floors of all kinds, including professional basketball courts. 

What color is natural maple wood flooring?

The natural color of maple floors varies from creamy white to light brown. The subtle, straight grains contribute to maple's smooth, neutral aesthetic.