Which Wood Is Harder Oak or Maple?

Oak and hard maple are used for flooring.

Oak and maple both come in many species. Which wood is harder depends on the species. According to the American Hardwood Information Center, hard maple requires 1,450 pounds to mar, white oak requires 1,360 pounds, red oak requires 1,290 pounds and soft maple requires 950 pounds.

Hard vs. Soft Maple

Typical hard maple is sugar maple or black maple. Soft maple includes red maple and silver maple. Typical uses of hard maple include furniture, cabinets, decorative woodwork and flooring. Soft maple may be used as a cheaper substitute for hard maple mouldings or for painted trim. The box-making industry also uses soft maple.

Red Oak

The uses of red oak include lumber, railroad ties, mine timbers, fence posts, veneer, pulpwood and fuel wood. Uses of red oak lumber include flooring, furniture, general millwork, boxes, pallets, crates and caskets. However, red oak is not suitable for tight cooperage (wine barrels) or exterior work, according to For Wood Lovers.

Expert Insight

According to Craftsman Style, white oak is the best oak for cabinetmaking and interior woodwork. White oak takes on a deep, ripened color during the finishing process that gives an appearance of age and mellowness without changing the character of the wood.

References

• American Hardwood Information Center: How Hard are Hardwoods?
• For Wood Lovers: Maple
• For Wood Lovers: Red Oak

Resources

• Craftsman Style: White Oak Wood
• American Hardwood Export Council: The Illustrated Guide to American Hardwood Lumber Grades