Wood is one of the natural materials that from the beginning of human life has played a great role in improving life conditions, as well as the establishment of many industries. As you know, wood is used in multiple functions such as decorative items, furniture, doors and windows and all wooden items. But the main point is to detect what kind of wood is the most suitable for our purpose. As the maple wood is one of the most widely used types of wood in the industry, in this article we will introduce you the uses of maple wood, the characteristics of this tree and its properties.
What are the benefits of a maple tree?
First of all, it is better to have a general acquaintance with the maple tree. Maple is a broad-leaved and deciduous tree, native to East Asia. The color of leaves is very diverse, which is why the maple tree is known as one of the most attractive trees for green space. But in addition to the beauty of this tree, we should know the advantages too.
The maple wood tree is a deciduous tree native to North America and parts of Asia. It is most commonly found in the northern United States and Canada, and is known for its distinctive leaves and sap. Maple wood is a popular choice for furniture, flooring, and other woodworking projects due to its strength, durability, and attractive grain pattern.
Everything you need to know about maple wood
If you have ever seen a maple tree, you will notice that the trunk color is slightly different from other trees. The mindset of ordinary people is that tree wood should be dark brown, while maple wood is often creamy white. But it’s interesting that the color of maple tree can vary depending on the climate in which it grows. Right this difference in color and subsequently the thickness of wood has led to the usage of maple wood in a really wide range of products and industries.
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Maple wood properties
Maple wood is a hardwood that is known for its strength and durability. It is also known for its light color, which ranges from creamy white to light reddish brown. Maple wood is often used for furniture, flooring, and musical instruments due to its strength and attractive appearance. It is also a popular choice for kitchen cabinets and countertops. Maple wood is also known for its shock resistance and stability, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas.
Maple wood Home Depot
Maple wood is available at Home Depot in a variety of forms, including lumber, plywood, veneer, and molding. The type of maple wood available will depend on the Home Depot location, as each store may carry different types of wood. Home Depot also carries a variety of maple wood products, such as flooring, furniture, and cabinetry.
Different Types of Maple Wood
As mentioned, maple trees grow in different climates, and variety in wood color as well as thickness have expanded the function. In this section, we will introduce its types and applications.
Mountain Maple
One of the most influential factors on the color of leaves and trunks in trees is the climatic conditions. For example, the trunk of the mountain maple is gray, but when it grows, the color will change to light brown. One of the prominent features of mountain maple wood is the small cracks which look like a sycamore tree on the body, and more interestingly, these cracks will turn black as the tree age increases. Imagine this color combination: light brown wood background and the dark brown cracks on it. Certainly, the beauty of this type of maple wood is favorable to be used in marquetry works (marquetry is the art of applying thin slices of wood and sometimes bark, usually thinner than 3 mm that typically are glued onto core panels to form decorative patterns, designs or pictures.
Field Maple
Another type of maple tree that is mostly found in Australia, North America and Turkey is field maple, which gives a lot of beauty to the green space. It is interesting to know that the color of wood in this type is white and its thickness is very high. That is why this type of maple tree wood is used to make musical instruments, furniture and even to make pergola, because this wood has a very high resistance.
Red maple
Another beautiful maple tree is called the Red Maple, which is named after the color of its leaves. This type grows mainly in northeastern regions of North America. Dissimilar to Field one(mentioned above), the red maple wood is very soft. Therefore, it is used for decorative purposes that require a very high degree of carving, the most important use of which is in furniture industry.
Norway Maple
The Norway maple tree is one of the most beautiful trees in Southwest Asia in terms of green space. During spring and summer, the color of the leaves is green, but in the beginning of autumn, the color of the leaves will change to orange or reddish. As the wood of this type of maple is very hard, so it is used to make parquet and furniture.
Sugar Maple
To mention one of the most attractive types among the maple trees, which has a very high variety of colors in the leaves, we should say the sugar maple. You should be a little careful when using the wood of this type of maple, because it is very sensitive and will rot with a little moisture.
Black maple
As the name of this species of maple indicates, the wood is black, which is why it is very attractive and is used in wood industry.
Paperbark Maple
This species is native to China and it would be interesting for you to know the reason why for naming it! When the maple bark reaches paper maturity, you will see the bark of the tree trunk flaking, which is as thick as paper sheets.
Striped maple
The naming of each maple tree is mainly based on their appearance. For example, if you see white vertical lines on the trunk, you should know that this type of maple tree is striped and is grown mainly in the eastern regions of North America. Of course, the background color of the bark is reddish brown, which will be seen at maturity.
Birdseye Maple
On the body of this type of maple there are circles, as small as a bird’s eye, which is why this type of tree is named birdseye. The background color of this maple, mainly affected by the climate of the region, is reddish white or yellowish white. As the beauty of this wood has been doubled due to the presence of small knots, it is used as a cover for decorative wooden items such as furniture or tables.
Sycamore Maple
This type of maple is very similar to the sycamore tree, but one of its most important features that makes it special and important among other types, is high resistance to pollution and industrial affairs. For this reason, sycamore maple tree is used for furniture, wooden floors, molding and even for windbreaks.
Cappadocian Maple
Cappadocian maple tree is known as one of the fastest growing maple species. The color of the wood is creamy white and it is mainly used for wooden furniture in home decoration such as wall shelves and even wooden doors.
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Types of maple wood grain
There are several different types of maple wood grain patterns, each with its own unique look and characteristics. Some of the most common maple wood grain patterns include:
- Birdseye Maple: This type of maple wood has small, circular patterns that resemble the eyes of a bird. It is one of the most prized and expensive types of maple wood.
- Curly Maple: Curly maple has a distinctive wavy grain pattern that creates a three-dimensional effect on the surface of the wood. It is often used for high-end furniture and musical instruments.
- Flame Maple: Flame maple has a distinct flame-like pattern that runs through the wood. This pattern is caused by the way the tree grows and is often found in the trunk or lower branches of the tree.
- Quilted Maple: Quilted maple has a unique pattern that resembles a quilt, with a series of tight, interlocking curves that create a three-dimensional effect.
- Hard Maple: Hard maple has a straight, uniform grain pattern that is ideal for furniture and flooring. It is one of the hardest and most durable types of maple wood.
- Soft Maple: Soft maple has a more open, less dense grain pattern than hard maple. It is often used for cabinetry and decorative applications.
These are just a few examples of the many different types of maple wood grain patterns that are available. Each type of maple wood has its own unique beauty and characteristics, making it a popular choice for a wide range of woodworking projects.
Dark maple wood
Dark maple wood is a type of wood that is known for its dark reddish-brown color and its strong, durable properties. It is a popular choice for furniture, flooring, and cabinetry due to its attractive appearance and its ability to withstand wear and tear. Its unique grain pattern and color make it a great choice for adding a touch of elegance to any home.
Functions of Maple Wood
In this article, we tried to express the use of maple wood, separately based on the thickness and color of the tree bark. But in general terms, maple wood is used in furniture industry, marquetry, musical instruments, wooden objects in home decoration and also for building pergola. In addition, due to difference in thickness of maple typs, the suitable wood should be selected, based on the final purpose in different industries.
maple wood vs walnut wood
Maple wood and walnut wood are two popular hardwoods used in woodworking and furniture making. Here are some differences between the two:
- Color: Maple wood is a light, creamy white color with occasional streaks of reddish-brown. In contrast, walnut wood is a rich, dark brown with lighter streaks.
- Grain: Maple wood has a uniform, straight grain pattern that is ideal for furniture and flooring. Walnut wood has a more irregular grain pattern with occasional knots, which can add character to furniture pieces.
- Hardness: Maple wood is a hard, dense wood that is resistant to wear and tear. It is often used for flooring and high-traffic areas. Walnut wood is slightly softer than maple, but still durable and resistant to damage.
- Workability: Both woods are easy to work with and respond well to cutting, sanding, and finishing. However, walnut wood can be more prone to splintering or tearing due to its irregular grain pattern.
- Cost: Walnut wood is generally more expensive than maple wood due to its scarcity and high demand in the woodworking industry.
In summary, maple wood is a lighter, more uniform hardwood with a straight grain pattern, while walnut wood is a darker, more irregular wood with a distinctive grain pattern. Both woods are durable and easy to work with, but walnut wood is generally more expensive. The choice between the two ultimately depends on the specific needs and aesthetic preferences of the project at hand.
Maple wood guitar
Maple wood is a popular choice for guitar bodies, necks, and fingerboards due to its tonal qualities and durability. Here are some characteristics of a guitar made with maple wood:
- Bright Tone: Maple wood has a bright, articulate tone that is ideal for guitar bodies and necks. It produces a clear and defined sound with plenty of sustain.
- Lightweight: Maple wood is a lightweight hardwood, making it a great choice for guitar bodies. It is also durable and resistant to wear and tear, making it a popular choice for touring musicians.
- Aesthetics: Maple wood has a beautiful, light color with occasional reddish-brown streaks that can add character to a guitar. It is also a great wood for a natural or transparent finish, allowing the grain to shine through.
- Stability: Maple wood is a stable and predictable wood that is less likely to warp or crack than other woods. This makes it a great choice for guitar necks, which require stability and resistance to changes in temperature and humidity.
- Customization: Maple wood is easy to work with and can be carved or routed to create unique designs and shapes. It is also a popular wood for inlays and other decorative elements on the guitar.
In summary, a guitar made with maple wood will have a bright tone, be lightweight, and be durable. Maple wood is also aesthetically pleasing and easy to customize. It is a popular choice among guitar builders and players for these reasons.
read more: Best Wood For Guitar Body
FAQ
Is maple wood expensive?
Maple wood can vary in price depending on the type of maple and the quality of the wood. Generally, maple is considered to be a mid-priced hardwood, but some varieties can be more expensive than others.
Is maple wood better than oak?
It depends on what you are using the wood for. Maple is generally harder and stronger than oak, so it is better for applications that require strength and durability. However, oak wood is more affordable and has a beautiful grain pattern that makes it a popular choice for furniture and cabinetry.
What is the highest quality wood?
The highest quality wood is generally considered to be Brazilian rosewood, which is highly sought after for its beautiful grain and color. Other high-quality woods include mahogany, walnut, and teak.
Which is better maple or oak cabinets?
This is a matter of personal preference. Maple cabinets tend to be lighter in color and have a more contemporary look, while oak cabinets are darker and have a more traditional look. Both types of cabinets are durable and can last for many years.
Maple wood uses
- Furniture: Maple wood is a popular choice for furniture, such as chairs, tables, dressers, and cabinets. Its light color and smooth grain make it an attractive choice for many types of furniture.
- Flooring: Maple wood is often used for flooring, either in its natural state or stained to match the decor of a room. It is a durable and attractive choice for flooring.
- Musical Instruments: Maple wood is often used for making musical instruments, such as drums, guitars, and violins. Its strength and resonance make it a great choice for these instruments.
- Cabinets: Maple wood is a popular choice for kitchen and bathroom cabinets.
is maple wood hard or soft?
Maple wood is considered to be a hardwood.
The quality of the chosen wood for furniture, interior decoration and exterior application, not only determines its durability, but is also very important from an aesthetic point of view.
Finland Wood Company with a team of experienced specialists in the field of recognizing different types of wood, are ready to offer you a variety of wood products. For consultation from our experts, you can call the company numbers or use the online chat service of the website.
