Popular Tree Species for Hardwood Flooring: Maple

Rod Lorenz

Maple remains a popular tree species for hardwood flooring.

If you remember a hardwood floor from your childhood, there’s a good chance it was Maple. For much of the 20th century in the U.S., “Maple” was almost synonymous with “hardwood flooring” because of its elegant look, hardness, and reasonable cost.

Maple has a creamy, pale color, sometimes with a slight reddish tint. Depending on the grade, it can have dark mineral streaks or none at all, and its grain can vary from barely noticeable straight lines to curly  patterns. Some cuts have a type of grain known as “birds eye,” a pattern of tiny marks that look a lot like eyes.

Although Maple hardwood flooring is as traditional as it gets, it’s certainly not out of date. With modern finishing techniques, Maple is very versatile, with a range of creative possibilities. Many homeowners, for example, choose dark stains that enhance the wood’s natural warmth and richness, giving it a look similar to Cherry or Mahogany.

However, when stained improperly, maple can have a blotchy appearance, so it’s important to have the staining done by professionals with a history of making Maple look gorgeous.

To see and walk on samples of Maple, please visit our showroom  We'll be happy to talk with you about how you can use this classic species in your home.

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