All About Maple Hardwood Floors
You've been saving for a new hardwood floor and it's finally time to take action! You want a durable, eco-friendly option that will perfectly transition your uninspiring remodel into your cozy, contemporary haven. Maple hardwood floors cover all the bases. You get an incredibly durable wood plank that's beautifully neutral and resists everyday scratches, dents, and dings.
Appearance
If you’re shopping for a hardwood that will give you a sophisticated, polished style, maple hardwood floors may be just the ticket. Unlike some species like oak, maple floors boast a smooth, neutral finish that ranges from light brown to milky white. They usually feature a straight grain pattern with subtle fine lines, delivering a simple, clean look.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Maple Hardwood Flooring
Each type of flooring has its own pros and cons, and maple wood floors are no different. Identify what's most important in your home, then compare it to this list of advantages and disadvantages.
A few advantages of maple floors include:
- One of the more affordable hardwood species available
- Dense enough to stand up to your rambunctious kids and pets
- Eco-friendly choice thanks to their fast growth and domestic harvesting
- Beautiful neutral color that complements any design style
On the flip side, there are a few considerations with maple flooring, like:
- Impacted more by humidity than other types of hardwood
- Can shrink, warp, or buckle when exposed to moisture
- Doesn't stain as well as some other species because of its density
How Durable Are Maple Floors?
If maple hardwood flooring is strong enough for professional basketball courts around the country, it's likely durable enough for your busy family! Maple is an extremely hard, dense wood, which means it can comfortably resist all kinds of running, jumping, and playing. Like all hardwood, though, it can scratch under certain circumstances, so it could be to your advantage to use rugs or runners in spots with the most traffic.
Lifespan and Installation
If you're concerned that your nonstop household means that new hardwood flooring won't last, you're wrong! Maple wood flooring is durable enough to easily sustain active lifestyles with daily traffic from little ones, pets, and regular gatherings. In fact, you can expect several decades from maple hardwood floors, especially if you're thoughtful about a few key factors.
The variables that most influence the lifespan of your floors include:
- The quality of the materials used
- Whether it's installed properly
- How well you maintain the wood planks over the years
- The amount of wear and tear the floor receives
- Whether you follow the manufacturer's guidance
When it's time to schedule your new floor installation, don't settle for the neighborhood handyman or your brother-in-law. Though they might have experience, you run the risk of inadvertently voiding the warranty if it's not properly installed. For that reason alone, it's worth it to go with a pro installer who will give you that peace of mind.
Maintenance
Cleaning your new hard maple flooring regularly is a really important step to keep it looking beautiful for decades to come. It's as simple as sweeping or vacuuming each week, or more often if your little ones track in a lot of dirt and debris. When it comes to hardwood floors of any variety, you want to avoid moisture, so if your pup has an accident or you drop your water bottle, quickly wipe it up and follow the guidance provided by the manufacturer.
FAQs About Maple Hardwood Flooring
- Is maple hardwood better than oak? That depends on what you’re looking for! Oak and maple are both light-hued hardwood species that are resilient and long-lasting. Maple is harder than oak, but it doesn't stain nearly as well as oak does.
- What color is natural maple wood flooring? Maple wood planks are naturally light brown and can be as light as a creamy white. It gives a clean, modern look with its straight, subtle grain.
- Is maple good for hardwood floors? Yes, maple is a great selection if you're looking to add hardwood flooring to your home. Maple has built-in shock resistance and is extremely durable, making it a great pick for your busy households, especially if your little ones are running underfoot.
- How hard is maple hardwood flooring? If you're in the market for a floor that's hard, maple flooring is a top contender. This hardwood species is more resilient than wood planks in pine, oak, and birch, which explains why it's commonly used as flooring for professional basketball courts!
