Does maple hardwood yellow over time?

Author: Fiona Gutmann  |  Last update: Thursday, August 7, 2025

The cons of maple flooring Discolours over time – As with any solid wood, with constant exposure to light it will yellow over time.

Does maple wood yellow over time?

Virtually all hardwoods change color as the years go by. Light-colored wood, such as maple, will naturally darken due to exposure to UV light and oxygen. As the years pass, even a white maple piece will develop a honey-gold patina.

How to finish maple so it doesn't yellow?

I recommend an acrylic finish, and you can go two routes: This has both the advantage of being colorless when dry and, due to the coalescing nature of the way it forms a film, of keeping the finish resin on the surface of the wood.

Does maple always turn yellow?

Yellowing leaves on your Red Maple might scream nutrient deficiency. Iron, nitrogen, and magnesium are the usual suspects. Iron deficiency typically hits new growth first, turning leaf tips yellow. Nitrogen scarcity goes for the old leaves at the base, as the tree prioritizes its youngsters.

How to make maple floors less yellow?

Maple turns yellow on its own over time (years), so I'm afraid you're pretty much out of luck. There's no way to stop it. UV blockers in the finish might slow it down. A water-based polyurethane varnish or a water-based clear lacquer will give you the least yellow finish to start with.

You've never seen a wood finish like this! (Cures in 2-Minutes!)

What is the best non yellowing finish for maple wood?

Use Dewaxed Shellac for Your Best “Clear” Finish On Curly Maple. Of all the basic clear topcoats you can choose from, dewaxed shellac provides a surprising chatoyance that you just don't get with other finishes.

Does maple flooring yellow?

The cons of maple flooring

Discolours over time – As with any solid wood, with constant exposure to light it will yellow over time.

Do maples change color?

Many groups of trees have fall colors that are specific to them. Oaks are generally red, brown, or russet. Aspen, cottonwood, and birches are a golden yellow. For maples the color varies by species with red maples turning a brilliant scarlet, sugar maples turning an orange-red, and silver maples turning a yellow-brown.

Do maple cabinets turn yellow?

Maple surfaces have a light natural color because of their clear oil finish, but this finish breaks down over time. In doing so, it regains its original oily yellow color.

How to tell the difference between a sugar maple and a Norway maple?

In the fall, leaves usually turn a pale yellow. One of the easiest ways to differentiate Norway maple from sugar maple is to cut the petiole (or leaf stalk) or vein and if a milky substances oozes out, it is a Norway maple. Also, bud tips of Norway maples are more blunt, whereas sugar maples are pointy and sharp.

What is the best finish for maple flooring?

Maple is noted for its problems with low-sheen finishes, such as satin or matt. Uneven coating can show up as shiny streaks or spots on a finished floor. The flatter and smoother a dense wooden floor becomes, the more critical the application of each finish coat. Semigloss or gloss usually give a better finish.

What is the best stain to use on maple wood?

Top 5 Stains for Maple Wood
  1. Best Brown Maple Stain: Asbury Brown.
  2. Best Brown Maple Stain: Golden Pecan. ...
  3. Best Brown Maple Stain: Vintage Antique. ...
  4. Best Brown Maple Stain: Tavern. ...
  5. Best Brown Maple Stain: Earthtone. ...

Do you need to seal maple?

A treatment like a sealer or wood conditioner will help limit stain penetration and support a more uniform color since the wood absorbs stain unevenly.

What wood finish will not yellow?

The easiest option is to apply a clear, water-based finish such as Minwax's Polycrylic.

What color is natural maple wood?

Maple is white to yellow in color, sometimes with darker grey or brown streaks. Furniture makers typically use hard maple wood, Acer saccharum, which is also known as Rock Maple, Hard Rock Maple or Sugar Maple when in tree form. Yes, the same maple trees used for lumber also produce the sap that makes maple syrup!

Why are my white kitchen cabinets turning yellow?

It's not uncommon for kitchen cabinets to take on a yellowish hue over time, especially if they've been exposed to heat and humidity. As the protective layer eventually wears away, the underlying material shows through, resulting in a yellowish color tone.

Are maple kitchen cabinets outdated?

Maple Cabinets Don't have to look outdated

There's a good reason why maple is still a highly preferred choice for kitchen cabinets. Maple is super durable for the cost and is compatible with multiple stains. You can choose a traditional look to highlight the natural wood or go with something more contemporary.

What color makes cabinets look less yellow?

What color makes cream look less yellow? To neutralize the yellow undertones in cream and make the cabinets appear brighter, consider cooler tones like soft blues and greens. These colors will balance out the yellow without clashing.

What color does maple wood turn over time?

Maple: Maple starts with a light and bright brown color featuring gray and pink tones. With age and exposure to light and oxygen, it will take on a golden honey color, giving off a warm appearance.

Does maple turn yellow?

Maples often respond to soil incompatibility with yellowing leaves in a disorder called chlorosis (pronounced "klor-OH-sis"). The leaf veins often remain green, and the areas between veins become lemon yellow, eventually including brown spots or crisp leaf margins.

Why is my maple turning red in July?

Maple tree leaves changing color early is often a sign of environmental stress. Depletion of soil nutrition, over- or under-watering, planting depth, and temperature can all play into this. Have you had the soil tested in the last few years?

Are all maple wood the same color?

Hard maple tends to be of a lighter, more uniform color, while soft maple tends to be a bit darker, with red, brown, or gray streaks.

What are the disadvantages of maple wood?

Cons of Maple Flooring
  • Difficult to Stain. Maple has a tight grain making it challenging to stain. ...
  • Easily Scratched. Maple floors scratch relatively easily. ...
  • Sensitive to Climate. Like most hardwood, maple is sensitive to temperature and humidity. ...
  • Discoloration Over Time. ...
  • Lack of Grain Pattern.

Does maple yellow with age?

Maple starts off very light and bright, with a few pink and grey tones. Over time, it will age to a warm golden honey color.

What's more expensive, oak or maple?

Key Takeaway: Oak tends to be slightly more expensive than maple, but both are affordable options. Prices will vary depending on location, quality, and the amount of wood you need for your project.

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