Pricing: Generally, oak is more expensive than maple. However, each has several varieties whose prices depend on their quality. Average oak prices range from $4.99 to $7.49 per sq. foot while average maple prices can range from $3.74 to $5.75 per sq.
Oak is generally slightly more expensive than Maple, the cost of the floored depends on the width and length of the floorboards, the grade of the lumber and several other factors.
On the whole, Maple makes for harder and more durable wood floors than Red Oak. With a Janka rating of 1450, Maple is one of the denser species of hardwoods and is ideal for high-traffic areas.
Maple is less porous than oak, which makes it slightly more susceptible to dents and scratches. Because of its consistency, maple also does not absorb stain as well as oak.
Maple is indeed a very dense, very hard type of hardwood, however, its biggest downside is that it's not very scratch-resistant. Due to its light color, which ranges from creamy white to a light brown, maple does not handle scratches very well.
Hickory is the most durable wood species grown domestically with a Janka rating around 1820.
That being said, maple is a slightly stronger hardwood product than oak. Maple is one of the strongest and most durable natural wood options available. It holds up well resisting significant dents or dings. We'll use the Janka scale of hardness as reference.
In a nutshell, oak is more expensive, offers more choices in grain patterns and is very durable. Maple is less expensive, durable, doesn't offer many choices in grain patterns and can stain unevenly.
Maple wood is harder than oak, but not as stable. Hardwood harvested from the outer wood of the trunk, or sapwood, is usually a light creamy white color, while hardwood harvested from the center of the tree, or heartwood, is a deeper shade of brown with a slight reddish hue.
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. But as with all hardwood flooring, your investment is only as good as the installation.
With oak you get some added hardness and strength when compared to brown maple. Oak has an active prominent grain. If a smoother look is more your style, brown maple catches points there with its smooth, uniform wood grain. Brown maple looks great painted, while oak's textured grain will show through paint.
John Boos & Co. Deals Primarily in Four Hardwoods
As you can see in the accompanying graph, rock maple is the hardest of these four hardwoods - about 15% harder than red oak, which ranks second. Black walnut ranks third in hardness - about 20% below red oak. Cherry is another 5% or so softer than walnut.
Pine is the cheaper option
Due to pine furniture being so affordable, it is often the more popular choice. If you're looking to keep the piece of furniture long term then oak is definitely the safer option.
If you're after a less expensive option or you are going to paint your furniture opt for pine. For centerpiece projects, or for furniture you want to last for many years, oak is your best choice.
Maple, although a high-quality and popular cabinet wood, will always be the less expensive material than cherry wood. That's because maple trees are highly accessible and more populous in North America – and especially Canada – than cherry wood.
The satin sheen is the most popular finish for hardwood floors. This hardwood floor sheen has about 40% luster and is easy to keep clean.
Maple, by its density and grain structure, does not like to "take" stain the way oak soaks it up. An oil-based wiping stain just isn't the right product for you to use -- given your goals. It is a fine product, but not the one you want here. A water soluble dye product would be much better for you.
Australian Buloke – 5,060 IBF
An ironwood tree that is native to Australia, this wood comes from a species of tree occurring across most of Eastern and Southern Australia. Known as the hardest wood in the world, this particular type has a Janka hardness of 5,060 lbf.
Decay Resistance
Depending on species, white oaks are rated as resistant or very resistant to moderately resistant to decay. True white oak and bur oak are considered durable, and the wood has had specific applications because of this attribute.
Although not as tough, stiff, or heavy as hard maple, soft maple tends to resist warping and twisting better. Its color ranges from pale brown to almost white with brown streaks. Hard maple remains strong when bent, absorbs shock well, works nicely with both power and hand tools, and resists wear.
Oak: Oak is the industry standard when it comes to hardwood flooring. With a Janka rating of approximately 1300, it is incredibly durable, available, and comes in various colors (including white and red). Ash: Ash flooring offers a light, stylish grain that is perfect for modern designs and a Janka rating of 1320.
Classic medium-toned browns such as cherrywood, mahogany, oak, maple, walnut, birch wood, and hickory are all timeless colors that never go out of style.
The Best Timeless Flooring Options
Opt for timeless wood colors such as oak, maple, mahogany, pine or ash. Engineered hardwood is an excellent choice for its versatility and attractive price point.
Wide plank floors are making a comeback.
Wide plank is on the rise again, and Broxson notes that recent trends include red and white oak wide plank floors. She says we'll see more light and almost bleached tones and dark espresso colors coming back, as well.