- Species: Belongs to the Acer Genus. Common types include: Hard Maple (Sugar Maple: Acer Saccharum, and Black Maple Acer Nigrum) / Soft Maple (a group including Red Maple: Acer Rubrum, Silver Maple: Acer Saccharinum, Bigleaf Maple: Acer Macrophyllum, and Boxelder: Acer Negundo).
- Origin: Hard Maple: Primarily from Northeastern North America, Canada / Soft Maple: Also found in North America but grows in a broader range, including midwestern and southeastern USA.
- Durability: Hard Maple: High durability, dense and wear-resistant, ideal for heavy-use areas / Soft Maple: Moderately durable, easier to work with but less hard and dense than Hard Maple.
- Highlights: Highlights: Hard Maple features a light, creamy color with a fine, uniform grain that provides a smooth finish, making it excellent for staining or painting. It is commonly used in both modern and traditional interior applications and is valued for its exceptional resistance to denting and wear.
- Form: Sawn Timber, Planed / Dressed Timber, Flooring Strips & Panels, Turning Blanks & Blocks, Veneer Sheets.
- Grade: Select / Prime Grade, FAS, #1 Common, #2 Common, Character / Rustic Grade.
- Moisture: KD (6 – 8%) / AD (12 – 18%) / Green, Fresh-Cut (30% +) / HT.
- Dimensions Available: Thickness: 25 – 75 mm / Width: 100 – 300 mm+ / Length: 2 – 4.8 m.
- Janka Hardness: Hard Maple: ~1,450 lbf – among the hardest domestic hardwoods / Soft Maple: ~950 – 1,200 lbf depending on species (Red, Silver, Bigleaf, Boxelder).
- Grain: Hard Maple: Fine, uniform, and usually straight; occasionally curly or bird’s-eye figure / Soft Maple: Generally straight but more prone to slight variations and uneven texture.
- Color: Hard Maple: Pale creamy white to light reddish-brown; heartwood is more uniform / Soft Maple: Similar but slightly darker, with grayish or greenish heartwood more common.
- Water Resistance: Moderate. Maple can absorb moisture if not sealed. Prone to swelling or warping in humid conditions without proper finishing.
- Certification: Hard Maple: Widely available with FSC, PEFC:(Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), or other legal sourcing certifications / Soft Maple: Also available with sustainability certifications, but less commonly certified due to its lower market value.
- Outdoor Suitability: Hard Maple: Not recommended, prone to warping, decay / Soft Maple: Not recommended, less durable outdoors. Not ideal for outdoor use unless well-sealed or treated. Can deteriorate when exposed to weather over time.
- Indoor Suitability: Hard Maple is highly suitable for indoor use due to its exceptional hardness and clean appearance / Soft Maple offers good suitability, especially for decorative and general interior applications.
- Estimated Prices: Per Cubic Meter (m3) = ~US $130 – $780+ (up to ~US $2,150/m³) / Price per Piece: Hard Maple = ~US $6 – $8+, (up to ~US $13) / Soft Maple = ~US $5 – $7+, as low as ~US $4 in bulk rough.
- Use Cases: Hard Maple: High-traffic Flooring (Gyms, Bowling Alleys, Residential/Commercial Floors), Durable Furniture (Tables, Chairs, Cabinets), Cutting Boards and Butcher Blocks (non-porous and hygienic), Stair Treads and Handrails, Musical Instruments (Necks and Backs of Guitars, Violins), Kitchen Cabinetry (Especially in modern, light-toned interiors) / Soft Maple: Furniture frames and components, Paint-grade cabinetry and mill-work, Interior trim and molding, Doors and drawer boxes, Panels, veneers, and carvings, Cost-effective alternative to Hard Maple (when heavy wear isn’t a concern).
