Soft MapleĪll types of maple woods are hardwoods however, they are sorted into two categories hard maple and soft maple. Maple wood can be polished up to a high shine, and it also stains well, making it versatile in terms of the type of finish you want. The heartwood of maple has a red-pink tone which is less desirable than the almost white sapwood. The sapwood of maple is favored due to its more attractive color, unlike most hardwoods which use the heartwood of the tree. Maple has an even creamy color and a typically straight grain that give it a uniform look which appeals to many people. The high density of maple is what makes it so durable however, this can also make it difficult to work with. This is the case whether you opt for soft or hard maple, although hard maple is the more durable of the two, hence why it is sometimes known as ‘rock maple. One of the best features of maple wood is that it is very strong and durable.
It comes from the maple tree, though there are numerous varieties of maple trees that will produce woods with different qualities. Maple wood is a popular material used for everything from flooring to instrument making.
