Maple Hard

Color/Appearance: Unlike most other hardwoods, the sapwood of hard maple lumber is most commonly used rather than its heartwood. Sapwood color ranges from nearly white, to an off-white cream color, sometimes with a reddish or golden hue. The heartwood tends to be a darker reddish brown. Birdseye maple is a figure found most commonly in hard maple, though it’s also found less frequently in other species. Hard maple can also be seen with curly or quilted grain patterns.

Workability: Fairly easy to work with both hand and machine tools, though slightly more difficult than soft maple due to hard maple’s higher density. Maple has a tendency to burn when being machined with high-speed cutters such as in a router. Turns, glues, and finishes well, though blotches can occur when staining, and a pre-conditioner, gel stain, or toner may be necessary to get an even color.

Common Uses: Flooring (from basketball courts and dance-floors to bowling alleys and residential), veneer, paper (pulpwood), musical instruments, cutting boards, butcher blocks, workbenches, baseball bats, and other turned objects and specialty wood items.
Origin of Wood Type Eastern North America
Botanical Name Acer saccharum
Specific Gravity 0.72
Avg. Weight Per BF 4.25 lb/bf
Color Range Cream – White (Sap) & Gray – Light Brown (Heart)
Rarity / Availability Plain Hard Maple is readily available, Curly Hard Maple is available in 4/4 lumber only and Birdseye Maple is becoming very rare!
Typical Avg. Width 3″ to 8″, rarely found 9″ to 18″ wide and almost impossible to find pure white over 8″ wide
Typical Avg. Length 4′ to 10′, rarely found up to 12′
Avg. Waste Factor 30% to 50%
Wood Uses Fine Furniture, Cabinetry, Architectural Millwork, Guitar Building / Instrument Making, Wood Turning, Gun Stocks, Automotive / Aircraft Interior, Inlaying, Box Making, Flooring, Veneer and many other uses
Lumber Grades Common 1 & 2, Select and Better, FAS, Quartersawn, Quartersawn (Figured), Flitch, Figured (Heavy), Figured (Medium), Veneer, Premium
Other Trade Names Rock Maple, White Maple, Sugar Maple, Birdseye Maple, Curly Maple

Ready to order? Please indicate your board length and width in the comments section of your order information. If you have questions, please email DCW Hardwoods & Slabs for pre-order assistance.

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