The Main Advantages and Drawbacks of Maple Flooring

When a flooring upgrade becomes essential, the first question that crosses someone’s mind is the right type of flooring ideal for their home. Most homeowners are inclined towards solid hardwood or affordable alternatives that mimic the look of hardwood flooring. Toronto is the home to some of the best flooring stores in the GTA and you can easily find top-grade flooring options here. One of the most popular domestic hardwood flooring species is Maple. This post outlines the advantages and drawbacks associated with maple flooring to help the homeowners make an informed choice while investing in hardwood flooring. Advantages of Maple 1. Durable Maple is among the hardest of the domestic hardwood species available. Its hardness is 1450 lbf according to the Janka Scale, making it more durable than oak. Therefore, it is a primary choice for bowling alleys and commercial spaces as it does not dent easily from heavy traffic. 2. Beautiful The light but rich colour of maple is impressive and complements most colour schemes. Moreover, it has a traditional and timeless appeal due to its smooth texture and delicate graining. When you are looking for the best Canadian hardwood flooring for achieving a clean, subdued and subtle interior, maple is a great choice. 3. Eco-friendly It is a domestic species and harvested in abundance, making it a widely available hardwood flooring option. Moreover, the growing period of maple is shorter than other hardwoods. Hence, it is a comparatively eco-friendly choice than other species like oak and exotics. 4. Maintenance Due to the hardness and durability of maple flooring, maintenance is easy as well. Sweeping and vacuuming the floor weekly, followed by mopping with wood cleaners and little water will retain the lustre of your flooring for a long time. 5. Affordable Depending on the type and grade of maple flooring you are choosing, the prices vary accordingly. But it is still comparatively affordable than exotic hardwoods of similar hardness since it is a domestic species. A wise move will be to check the hardwood clearance sales in the local flooring stores to get the best price for this flooring type. Disadvantages of Maple 1. Discolouration Over the years, maple can get discoloured and develops a yellowish hue. This results from oxidizing of the wood due to prolonged exposure to the sunlight. The floor will appear unsightly when there is a distinct colour difference between the area receiving direct sunlight throughout the year and the shaded portions. 2. Stains Though maple is a light-coloured wood that can be made darker, but stains do not adhere to this wood well and leads to patchy and uneven colouring. Dyes are a better choice for darkening the colour of maple. It is best to leave the task to professionals who can ensure the floor is evenly stained. 3. Scratches Since the graining is very smooth and subtle, even small scratches on maple flooring shows up easily. Moreover, rubber soles and heels can leave a stubborn mark that is difficult to remove. Unless you can control and prevent the causes of scratches, maple flooring will prove to be difficult to maintain for your home. 4. Humidity Maple is prone to temperature and humidity changes. It significantly expands and contracts according to the temperature changes, rendering it unsuitable for regions with high humidity. If you are still inclined towards this hardwood species, a humidifier must be installed in your home. Homeowners looking for solid hardwood flooring among the domestic species can consider maple hardwood. Pros and cons of this species that are mentioned above should be kept in mind alongside the climatic condition of the region you are living in to determine whether this is the ideal choice for your home.