Durable Hardwood Showdown: Oak vs. Maple

Durability is a crucial factor with hardwood flooring. It determines how well your floor can withstand daily wear and tear. A durable hardwood determines how long you’ll enjoy your floors without suffering unsightly blemishes.

Oak and maple are two popular durable hardwood flooring options, each known for its strength and resilience.

But which solid hardwood is more durable? We’ll help answer that question in this durable hardwood showdown!

Understanding Hardwood Flooring Durability

Hardwood flooring durability refers to its ability to resist damage, including scratches, dents, and wear from foot traffic.

Several factors influence the durability of hardwood flooring. They include the type of wood, the wood’s density, and the finish applied to the wood.

What is the Janka Hardness Test?

The Janka Hardness Test measures the hardness of the wood, precisely the force required to embed a 0.444-inch steel ball halfway into a piece of wood.

It sets an industry standard for determining wood flooring’s durability. The higher the Janka rating, the more durable the wood is likely to be.

Why Durability Matters

Most hardwoods are susceptible to water damage. However, oak has a dense, non-porous texture that resists water absorption. That’s why, for generations, oak has been a popular material for shipbuilding.

Its closed grain also makes it relatively resistant to stains and spills. That makes it an excellent option for families with children or pets, where accidents are inevitable. Spills can be easily wiped away.

Plus, the wood’s grain helps to disguise minor scratches or blemishes.

Oak Hardwood Flooring: A Classic Choice

Oak hardwood flooring is a popular choice for many homeowners. It is known for its classic beauty and timeless appeal.
Oak is a dense wood, which contributes to its durability. Oak flooring is also resistant to wear, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas.

However, like all hardwoods, oak has its strengths and weaknesses. Understanding these can help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home.

Janka Rating and Durability of Oak

Oak has a Janka hardness rating of around 1290 for red oak and 1360 for white oak, making it a moderately hard wood.

The higher Janka rating for white oak means it’s slightly more durable than red oak. However, their baseline durability makes either a good flooring choice.

Pros and Cons of Oak Flooring

One of the main advantages of oak flooring is its durability. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and resist scratches and dents.

However, oak hardwood flooring can be prone to color changes with exposure to sunlight and the elements.

On the plus side, oak flooring is easy to refinish, extending its lifespan and keeping it looking fresh and new.

Maple Hardwood Flooring: Sleek and Modern

Maple hardwood flooring is another excellent choice for homeowners. Maple has a clean, sleek, modern look and light color.

Maple is a dense hardwood, making it highly durable and resistant to wear and tear.

However, as with any hardwood, maple has its pros and cons. Understanding these can help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home.

Janka Rating and Durability of Maple

Hard maple has a Janka hardness rating of around 1450. That makes it slightly harder and more durable than oak. The difference is hardly overwhelming, however.

Soft maple has a lower Janka rating, around 950, making it less durable than hard maple and oak.

Pros and Cons of Maple Flooring

One of maple flooring’s main advantages is its durability. Maple is resistant to scratches and dents, making it a good choice for high-traffic areas.

However, maple flooring can be difficult to stain. Its tight grain doesn’t absorb stains like other woods. You might elect to choose a prefinished floor to remove that worry.

On the plus side, maple flooring is light and uniform in color, giving your home a clean, modern look.

Maple solid hardwood flooring can be more expensive than oak. However, its durability and modern appeal can make it a worthwhile investment.

Durability in Action: Comparing Oak and Maple

Both oak and maple are durable hardwoods. However, their performance can vary depending on specific factors.

For instance, the type of oak or maple used can significantly impact the floor’s durability. Some 90 oak varieties populate North America, while maple has 13 species, with sugar maples the most abundant.

Resistance to Wear and Tear

Oak and maple both offer good resistance to wear and tear. However, with its higher Janka rating, hard maple tends to be more resistant to dents and scratches.

Janka rating aside, oak has a more open-grain pattern. That open grain can make it slightly less resistant to wear and tear compared to hard maple.

So, if a durable hardwood is your goal, maple wins by a nose. As a result, you might lean towards maple if you have a busy household with pets and kids.

However, with proper care, both floors can last for decades. Regular cleaning and periodic refinishing can significantly extend their lifespan.

Selecting the Best Durable Hardwood for Your Home

Choosing durable hardwood is one factor when considering flooring for your home. However, installing hardwood flooring that matches your home’s style and lifestyle is also essential.

In that case, you must look closely at the grain and color patterns. Even though maple hardwood may offer slightly better durability, oak may look better. Its grain and color scheme perfectly complement traditional homes, and oak is also a popular farmhouse choice.

With its lighter natural color and subtle grain, maple flooring offers a clean aesthetic perfect for modern homes.

Final Thoughts on Oak vs. Maple

In the end, oak and maple are durable choices for hardwood flooring. So, your choice comes down to preference and fit in your home—a well-maintained hardwood floor, whether oak or maple, can last for generations.

Bruce® has been the go-to source for hardwood flooring for generations. We offer over 200 solid hardwood flooring options, some with lifetime warranties. You can depend on floors for value and performance.

Bruce flooring is available at home centers and flooring dealers throughout the country. Use our store locator to find the dealer nearest you.