The Wood Library
Maple
Hardwoods

Maple

Acer

Bright, almost white and extremely hard-wearing, hard maple is the surface of bowling lanes and butcher blocks. Its fine, near-invisible grain gives a clean, modern look.

The facts
Janka hardness
~1,450 lbf
Density
~705 kg/m³
Stability
Moderate
Workability
Moderate

Best uses

  • Worktops & butcher blocks
  • Flooring
  • Kitchenware
  • Modern furniture

Watch out for

Its density makes maple prone to scorching from blades and to blotchy, uneven staining — it asks for sharp tools and a careful finishing schedule.

Engineer's notes

When a client wants a light, crisp, contemporary feel, maple is my answer — it stays pale and clean where oak reads traditional. It is hard on tools and fussy to stain, so we usually keep it natural or near-natural.

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