In my opinion, a classic American maple hardwood floor is best left in its natural state, with a clear sealant finish to allow the pretty grain and buttery tones to shine through. Read our Terms of Use and Disclosures page for more information. So if that’s a style you’re interested in, then maple flooring is a good hardwood option – however, there are other points to consider to ensure that maple floors are the ideal choice for your space. Because it takes dark stains well, maple is often stained to mimic a pricier wood, like cherry or mahogany (which is a controversial pick itself because of deforestation in the regions where it's harvested). Maple flooring has a clean and smooth appearance because it has less grain than other wood varieties. As mentioned above, maple is widely available. ⚛ The information about Maple Flooring Pros And Cons Advantages & Disadvantages is completely presented here. However, maple hardwood is also porous enough to accept stains fairly well, so you can in fact change the color to suit your tastes, from deeper tawny brown tones to sleek grays. We work closely with qualified flooring contractors throughout the USA to provide installation and repair services for home flooring products. Maple is not the right choice for you if you want a flooring with an interesting grain – the fine grain in maple wood gives a much more uniform, subtle look. As popular as engineered wood is, there are a few drawbacks you’ll want to be aware of after we take a look at the advantages. And How to Get Rid of It. As with most other hardwood flooring, there are different maple floor options available on the market: Certain manufacturers, particularly for solid hardwood flooring, will carry different grades of maple. Constantly walked, children’s playing with toys can be the main reason for the scratches. This sometimes results in warping and cracks. Compared to other hardwoods, maple hardwood is lighter and creamier in complexion. Cons: Reasons not to install maple flooring. Can You Use Latex Paint over an Oil Based Primer? The smooth and glamorous look with little grains is the reason behind the popularity of maple wood. It is Hard Maple and Sugar Maple that has the 1450 rating on the Janka Test, and it is very resistant to wear. Is that the case? It is well worth looking at these factors before going headlong into buying flooring material that won’t give you lifelong satisfaction. Watch our video and consider the maple flooring pros and cons … There are, in actuality, very few principle drawbacks to this type of hardwood flooring, but this doesn’t make it a foolproof project or even the right floor for every application. Compared to long-time flooring favorites such as oak, maple, and pine, eucalyptus is still a little-known option. Narrowing things down to type of construction, texture finish and color finish will make your search a lot easier! However, if maple flooring isn’t coated in a strong polyurethane finish it will scratch – and its smooth grain makes the scratches seem more visible. Incredibly versatile hardwood. Pros: Maple is affordable and ultra-durable. American maple hardwood flooring is a classic, and is a solid investment as it has great longevity – not just in actual terms because of its durability – but because it is a popular choice that is unlikely to go out of fashion. Maple cabinets are easy to obtain in many styles to … Insulates your home: Maple flooring is green and friendly and therefore environmentally friendly. We recommend using engineered maple flooring in areas prone to damp – such as basements and bathrooms – because engineered hardwoods are more stable and better suited to areas with high humidity. It looks impressive and goes with most colour schemes. It is especially budget... 3. Hard to Find. Your email address will not be published. To that end, we may be compensated with a small commission through affiliations with our endorsement, recommendation, testimonial, and/or link to any products or services from this website. Having said that, DIY maple floor staining can be tricky, and often best left to the pros. Joanne, As with any wood flooring water and wood don’t mix . Wonderful information! If you’re opting for maple, then there’s good news: there are a lot of great brands to choose from, which also means that you’ll likely find a maple floor to match your budget. Pink Mold: Is it Dangerous? Maple flooring is an excellent choice that can give your space attractive qualities. Overall maple is a sound flooring choice for most active households; nevertheless, we advise that you ensure your maple floors are properly sealed and that you invest in area rugs and runners for high traffic areas such as hallways to keep your flooring at its best. Pros and Cons: Oak vs. If you are trying to search for concepts for 12 attractive Maple Engineered Hardwood Flooring Pros and Cons then this is the location to be. The grain lines can also vary from curly, wavy, to straight. If you’re looking to buy maple, then be aware that there are in fact two broad terms used when describing maple hardwood: hard maple and soft maple. The Construction: Hardwood flooring today is available in 4 basic types or constructions and there are pros and cons of each: Solid Hardwood Flooring is cut from a tree as a solid piece of wood. The first one on the upper right shows the water based on the left, and it’s showing it on maple floors (and maple is lighter than oak) and on the right, you can see the oil based poly on oak floors (which are darker). To keep your maple flooring at its best, you should budget for regular refinishing (every 3 to 5 years for solid maple flooring); if you’re opting for engineered maple flooring then choose one that has the thickest wear layer which will allow you at least one decent refinishing during its lifetime. Pros and Cons of Maple Hardwood Flooring Maple is the leading choice for contemporary spaces, with a light, natural finish and impressive durability. If you desire a darker maple floor, it can be stained or better still dyed. Maple has a fine grain that gives each plank a fairly uniform look; maple floors therefore offer a clean backdrop that will work for most interior designs. The pros and cons for the actual solid maple hardwood floors too, and how it compares to other types of wood also. On the other hand, there is such a thing as too much choice! For one, it is durable and hard. Pros of Maple Hardwood It also helps insulate your home and reduces your electricity bills, with lesser consumption. Thank you for the great article! And How to Get Rid of It. And finally – a no brainer really – as with any large investment, check that your manufacturer offers a good, long and comprehensive warranty! Its selection is comparable range to … In fact, if the weather is highly humid, maple flooring boards can move and split. I have newly installed silver maple floors which are scratched already, can I put a sealant on after the fact? Thank you, It takes some effort to find eucalyptus flooring, and it will cost you more than non-hardwood options. Here are some of the best brands to look out for: Here the Maple flooring has been whitewashed to blend into the overall décor scheme. The Cons/Disadvantages Of Maple Flooring Scratches Easily: The maple wood flooring needs to treated with a protective coat, if the user didn't apply a protective coat on the floor then the scratches will be visible. Oak, maple, cherry, walnut, and pine are common woods used for hardwood flooring. Pergo Pros, Cons and Ratings. It is true that natural light tones woods, like maple and oak, can turn a shade of amber with age. Maple is relatively high on the hardness scale, making it less prone to denting and more durable. Finished board widths vary from 1 inch to 12 inches. As with most hardwood floors, maple flooring that has been properly finished is easy to keep clean and maintain. The stability of oak... Cons of Oak Hardwood Floors. Pine is a very environmentally-friendly option for the homeowner who is concerned about sustainability and having an environmentally-friendly floor. Whilst you can stain maple, it can turn out a bit patchy. Are You Supposed to Caulk Around a Toilet or Not. How Much Does Maple Hardwood Flooring Cost. Understanding the characteristics, as well as the pros and cons, will help you select the ideal species for your home. New Carpet Smell: Is it Safe? Tropical hardwoods (mahogany, Brazilian walnut) cost between $8 and $14 per square foot, and sometimes more. Hardwood Flooring Construction. Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Flooring There are dozens of types of flooring you can use in a residential property, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Pros It is easy maintain and clean when it has been finished – the finish will add a protective layer on top of the wood which also in turn makes it easy to clean. For solid wood flooring, the general range of costs for materials alone is between $5 and $10 per square foot for standard domestic hardwoods, such as oak, maple, and cherry. Maple flooring will turn a deeper shade over time, and if it is finished with oil-based polyurethane then it can react badly to direct sunlight and yellow. Any wood you buy can be a issue if you have a water leak. The area of the home and the climate are two basic pointers you should factor in before choosing maple flooring. Luckily, many brands already offer pre-stained maple hardwood planks, so you don’t really need to go down the DIY staining route, unless you really have a very unique or custom-blend color in mind. The natural light tone of maple is perfect for Scandi-inspired, contemporary, clean and airy décor – it’s a very popular choice for today’s home owner. There are pros and cons to each, and there is no “one size fits all.” It depends on what you like and which elements are most important to you as well as budget. But as a flooring material, it requires more maintenance and is more susceptible to damage than ceramic tile and other forms of natural stone. The cons of maple flooring. If male is not ideal, what species of solid wood is best for radiant heat? Maple is slightly less expensive than oak, with an average price of $7 to $11 per square foot for materials and installation. Looks great – No-one can deny the impact of a maple hardwood floor. Also bear in mind that there are many different texture finishes on offer including hand scraped/ distressed, wire brushed, and smooth, each giving a different feel to compliment your interior design. This makes it a good option if you like to change your décor often; or as an investment to appeal to a wide audience. Maple offers a subtle grain pattern that works very well in large, open spaces or any area of the home, from high traffic hallways to formal dining rooms and cozy bedrooms. 7 Pros and Cons of Maple Hardwood Flooring Maple wood is a preferred wood flooring because of its natural beauty and strength. Maple Flooring Pros and Cons. However, the change of patina can be exacerbated by oil-based polyurethane sealants reacting to sunlight. Maple Hardwood Flooring Oak Flooring Pros and Cons. As with many hardwoods, maple floors can react badly to environments with fluctuating humidity levels, swelling and compacting as the levels shift. Higher Degree Of Hardness Your opinion is greatly appreciated. Oak is the king of hardwood floors for a reason. Pros: The many (120+) options cover the range from light to dark, from rustic to modern and from affordable to premium. Quick Links: Types | Options | Colors | Durability | Pricing & Reviews | Pros & Cons | Other Considerations, See our other Hardwood Species posts including: Walnut flooring and Acacia Flooring. Their grains are also fairly light and fine. Oak vs Maple Floors Pros and Cons Pros of Oak Hardwood Floors. For different size of floors in different locations there are various concepts that I could share to you. Other types of Maple flooring are softer, and they should be avoided. What happens if it is installed in a kitchen or bathroom and there is a leak? Pros: Hardwood flooring is a great investment. Grade 1 is the most expensive and grade 3 is the best to maximize your budget. Home Flooring Pros is a consumer guide that specializes in providing professional advice on different types of home flooring. Check out our Hardwood Flooring Types post for an in-depth look at hardwood options. Hardwood can be solid wood or engineered (where the wood is assembled over an artificial core). The pros of maple flooring. Article content. It can take a beating and look great for years. Note that oil-based sealants already give light colored wood a yellowy tone from the first application. People are always asking me which one is better, but both have their pros and cons. Contact. Next, we use Pergo pros and cons to compare Pergo laminate to other top brands. The contact detail associated with Maple Flooring Pros And Cons is also mentioned to make it easy for a user to contact the furniture seller. By the way, maple may be reasonably priced in northen States but can be pricey in other States. Homes with hardwood flooring have a strong resale value. Evoke Flooring | 2020 Laminate Flooring Review, How to Install Vinyl Sheet Flooring | Tools, Tips & Tricks 2020, DuChateau Flooring Review | 2020 Flooring Review, Best Engineered Wood Flooring – Top Brands Reviewed, LifeCore Flooring | 2020 Hardwood Flooring Review, trustworthy and experienced installation team. The following are the advantages of oak flooring compared to maple. Maple Hardwood Flooring: Pros and Cons 1. On the other hand, there are also some cons to maple flooring that you should consider before you buy. Pros. Your email address will not be published. We take pride in delivering high-quality information that help homeowners decide on which type of flooring they want in their house. When it comes to durability, maple is only second to hickory. However, it’s important to know that Maple flooring is made from several different species. With its delicate grain and creamy-blonde tones, maple has always been a strong favorite for home flooring in the USA, and is becoming an even more popular option in recent years with a swing towards Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern inspired interior design – both styles that look to optimize natural light paired with clean, uncluttered décor. Because it is light it is great if you want to achieve a light and airy look to a room. Sewer Clean Out for Residential Homes 101. People seem to really enjoy the natural look of hardwood floors. You can also counter severe humidity by investing in a dehumidifier. Changing the color of a maple floor isn’t easy, and even minor damage tends to be highly visible. This is a tough question to give a straight answer to, because it depends on several factors. The acacia wood flooring pros and cons are many and weighty and worthy of any buyer’s attention, before buying. In this installment of our hardwood species articles, we’re going to have an in-depth look at the beautiful options available in maple hardwood flooring. Best Pros and Cons of Hickory Flooring – TheFlooringLady November 21, 2019 November 22, 2016 by The Flooring Lady Hickory flooring is a popular choice for people who like the look of natural hardwood, but want something that's durable, isn't too dark and isn't very high-priced. If you have installed maple flooring that has already been pre-finished with an oil-based sealant then you should consider adding blinds, gauzes or tinted glass to your windows to avoid too much harsh, direct sunlight discoloring your floor over time. How does maple do with under slab radiant heat? Quality that is ageless. You can add an extra level of interest to subtle Maple flooring by laying short planks in a herringbone parquet pattern. Cons: Color Limitations and Visible Scratches Photo Credit: Christopher. This is unavoidable as it is partly down to the oxidation of the natural oils in the wood. Maple does scratch easily – but you can minimize this with a good protective sealant, and the addition of strategically placed areas rugs. Maple flooring has a Jenka hardness ranking of 1450 which is a good bit harder than oak flooring, the industry standard for hardwood. Maple wood flooring enhances the style along with the resilience of the house. I prefer to use solid maple flooring in my new house over engineered wood if possible. I created this video with the YouTube Slideshow Creator (https://www.youtube.com/upload) maple flooring pros and cons,maple hardwood flooring pros and cons … Hardness. A study out of Michigan State University says that maple does very well and recommend using narrower planks (3 inch and under) to allow for expansion/contraction and some articles don’t recommend it at all. Cons: Uncommon and Pricier than Some. There are a lot of benefits to purchasing maple flooring. What You Need to Consider Before Removing a Chimney. Affordability. One of the biggest advantages for maple is that it is widely available and there is plenty of choice; … Grades refers to the quality of the wood, which is usually qualified by how it looks. Required fields are marked *. Maple is very affordable. In some cases, you could pay $15 or more per square foot. Grade 1 maple planks have a uniform color with very few – or no – visible knots; grade 2 maple has a bit more “real wood” character with some knots and more variety in color tones; grade 3 maple flooring has a much knottier, rustic aspect. Comparable to solid hardwood in terms of cost, engineered floors are still considerably more expensive than laminate, tile, and carpet. Not resistant to heat, humidity: It is not highly resistant to fluctuations in heat and humidity levels. When it comes to hardwood flooring, there’s solid hardwood and engineered hardwood. More durable than oak, birch, or pine and highly suitable for cabinetwork; Maple cabinet doors stand up to daily use while resisting dings and dents. It's the perfect canvas for a variety of paints or finishes. The solution is to opt for a water-based polyurethane finish in the first instance, which will simply enhance the natural beauty of your maple flooring without adding a yellow tint. Here the Maple floor has been pre-stained an attractive, on-trend gray-brown tone. Our website is supported by advertising. Make sure that you have a good subfloor and underlayment before installing your maple planks, and do the research to find a trustworthy and experienced installation team. It is widely available, which eases the cost. There are some grades, however, that contain mineral streaks that range from light brown to medium brown and almost black. Maple is one of the hardest of all domestic hardwoods. It comes in second for durability, with hickory... 2. It’s a job that is best left to professionals, or you can opt for pre-stained planks. As an added benefit, the fact that maple grows so plentifully makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than wood from slow-growing trees such as oak, walnut or cherry. One of the biggest advantages for maple is that it is widely available and there is plenty of choice; plus, because it is sourced locally and responsibly in the USA, it is better for the environment than exotic hardwoods. This means that maple flooring is quite hard, less prone to dents and is very durable (it’s a popular choice for bowling alleys for this very reason). As with oak, d0-it-yourself installation can shave $3 to $7 per square foot from the total price. Using water-based sealants and taking precautions against sunlight damage can help minimize this. About Us | Advertise | Contact Us | Website Terms of Use, Maple Flooring: Pros & Cons, Reviews and Pricing. Prized for its beauty, style, and elegance, this material has graced the palaces of kings and queens for centuries, making it an upscale, luxurious option for interiors. Your carpet and vinyl flooring need to be replaced after a certain duration but … Great Color. A true American classic – Maple in its natural state is still ideal for today’s modern homes. These colors complement most of all home décor color schemes. But as with all hardwood flooring, your investment is only as good as the installation.