Maple
Color Range
The heartwood ranges from light to medium brown with a distinct pinkish or reddish cast. Sapwood is typically white to very light brown.
Grain
Figured Grain: Maple is highly valued for unique, naturally occurring grain patterns, including Birdseye, Curly (Tiger), Quilted, and Spalted figures.
Texture
Fine Texture: Both types have a closed-pore structure and a fine, uniform texture that becomes exceptionally smooth when sanded, making it an ideal surface for painting.
Other Names
Hard maple, Rock maple, Sugar maple, White Maple
Typical Uses
Heavy-Wear Surfaces: Hard maple is the standard choice for basketball courts, bowling alleys, butcher blocks, and high-traffic residential flooring. Furniture & Cabinets: Widely used in modern and contemporary cabinetry due to its sleek appearance and ability to take stains that can mimic more expensive woods like cherry or mahogany. Specialty Items: Due to its density and resonance, it is a preferred tonewood for musical instruments (guitars, violin backs) and is the primary wood for professional baseball bats.
Weight
3.67
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lbs /Bd. Ft. | 2.51% heavier than red oak (3.58 /bd. ft.)
Hardness
1450
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Janka Rating | 12.40% harder than red oak (1290 psi)
Density
0.68
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Specific Gravity | 6.25% more dense than red oak (.64)
Strength, Stability, and Durability
Strength: It is heavy, hard, and strong, with high crushing strength and medium bending strength. Durability: It is rated as non-durable to perishable regarding rot and insect resistance. Because of its open pores, it is not suitable for exterior use or tight cooperage (liquid- holding barrels). Stability: It has high shrinkage values during drying, which can lead to mediocre dimensional stability if not seasoned properly.
Workability / Finishing
Aging: Maple naturally darkens over time when exposed to UV light, developing a rich, honey-gold patina. Workability: While it machines well, its high sugar content makes it prone to burning if worked with dull blades or at slow feed rates.