What Is Hard Maple?
Hard Maple is one of many woods you can order from Cutting Edge. Learn what makes hard Maple unique and why it is popular for cabinet doors.
Whether you are a contractor, cabinet maker, designer or architect new to the industry, you must understand the wood species you put in your designs. Hard Maple (also called Maple) is one of the most popular options thanks to its durability and affordability. However, is it something you should include? Will it make your designs stand out or cause problems that harm your reputation?
At Cutting Edge, we’ve produced cabinet doors using Maple for over 20 years. We understand that it isn’t always the best choice, but we also know that it is a good option for many projects.
But don’t just take our word for it. Keep reading to learn:
Hard Maple Is a Hardwood
Yes, hard Maple is a hardwood. In fact, it is one of the hardest woods that are commonly used in woodworking, beaten only by Hickory.
Hard Maple trees grow in the northeastern USA and eastern Canada. Thanks to the abundance of Maple trees, Maple lumber is readily available. This availability allows lumber mills and suppliers to meet the high demand for Maple without drastically increasing prices.
Again, there is a lot of demand for Maple. That’s why lumber mills turn most Maple logs into plain-sliced or flat-cut Maple. This milling method has the highest yield (amount of lumber produced) of all the milling methods.
Although it is extremely rare, you may be able to purchase quarter-sawn Maple. Unlike White and Red Oaks, which have a distinctive third grain pattern (rift-cut), Maple only has two options: quarter-sawn and flat-cut.
Characteristics of Hard Maple
Now that you know what Maple is, it’s time to learn what it looks like.
Hard Maple contains mainly sapwood, which is a light-cream to cream colour. Most hard Maple is flat-cut or plain-sliced; thus, the grain patterns can vary from linear to wildly wavy or figured.
Although Maple lumber does have knots, the boards with knots get sorted into a separate grade, known as Character, Knotty, or Rustic Maple. However, you might notice mineral streaks or mineral deposits in hard Maple. These are light-grey to black streaks caused by a pocket of minerals that darkened the wood.
Hard Maple has a fine texture and is one of the hardest woods frequently used in woodworking.
Hard Maple Has Some Problematic Characteristics
No, hard Maple isn’t perfect. Indeed, it has several characteristics that may cause problems.
First, it doesn’t accept all stains well because it is finely textured. Wiping stains, in particular, can go blotchy, so you should use spray stains whenever possible.
Second, it is one of the hardest hardwoods. The harder a wood is, the more difficult it is to machine. Using hard Maple can increase your labour time, and you might require new machinery to ensure a high-quality result.
Finally, hard Maple has a limited grain selection. As you’ve already learned, lumber mills cut most Maple using the flat-cut or plain-sawn method. This milling method means you can see many grain patterns, and suppliers have little control over the results. Although you may be able to purchase quarter-sawn hard Maple, which should have more consistent grain patterns, it is more expensive and much rarer.
Designs and Styles That Work Well With Hard Maple
As a contractor, cabinet maker, or designer, your main question might be, which kitchen styles can I (or should I) use Maple in?
Honestly, you could use Maple wherever you want. And on the flip side, hard Maple can be the wrong choice for many reasons. However, it tends to fit in well with these four styles:
1. Traditional Kitchens
Traditional kitchens often have detailed cabinetry, decorative cabinet doors, and mouldings. Using hard Maple will add a cozy feel to your designs without distracting from the visual elements already in the kitchen.
2. Contemporary/Modern Kitchens
Contemporary and modern kitchens feature sleek, clean-lined cabinetry. You can finish Maple cabinet doors or wood accents in natural or neutral tones to complement the contemporary and modern feel.
3. Transitional Kitchens
Transitional kitchens combine traditional and contemporary styles. Depending on the finish you apply, hard Maple can fit in with either section or act as a bridge between the two.
4. Farmhouse Kitchens
People recognize farmhouse kitchens by their cozy, inviting atmosphere and rustic design. The durability of Maple makes it suitable for high-use areas, while the warm undertones add to the overall aesthetic and feel of the kitchen.
A Comparison Between Maple and Other Popular Hardwoods
Now you know what Maple is, its characteristics, and what designs you can use it in. However, you aren’t sure how it compares to other popular hardwoods.
Why is this important? Knowing how it compares to other wood types will help you offer suitable alternatives when necessary and address your customer’s questions.
| Wood Type | Square Foot Price for Shaker-Style Cabinet Doors | Colour | Grain Patterns | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Oak | $23.90 | Light to medium brown; pinkish-reddish undertones | Elaborate, ranging from linear to wavy and wild. | 61 |
| Maple | $24.18 | Light cream to cream; may have reddish or goldish undertones | Elaborate, ranging from linear to wavy and wild. | 337 |
| Walnut | $34.91 | Dark to light rich browns | Elaborate, ranging from linear to wavy and wild. | 26 |
| Flat Cut White Oak | $37.81 | Light to medium brown; may have pinkish-reddish undertones | Much like Red Oak; elaborate, ranging from linear to wavy and wild. | 19 |
The four categories we compared across are:
1. Square Foot Price for Shaker-Style Cabinet Doors
Shaker style cabinet doors are one of the most popular options. While you can purchase more or less expensive door styles, the price difference between wood species will be similar. This is a price per square foot; for more information about how to use a square foot price, learn how pricing works at Cutting Edge.
2. Colour
This column provides the typical colour tones for each wood type. A dark stain generally hides more colour variation, while a light stain or clear lacquer finish will make the variation more noticeable.
3. Grain Patterns
What does the wood look like? Some woods have consistent grain patterns, while others look different from one cabinet door to the next.
4. Popularity
This column shows the approximate quantity of customers who chose 5-piece cabinet doors in that wood species last year. This number assumes the average kitchen contains 50 cabinet doors. Higher numbers mean the wood species is more popular, while lower numbers mean the wood species is less popular. While we based this number on 5-piece cabinet doors alone, the popularity will remain similar across most door styles.
You can use this information to address your customer’s concerns about pricing, colour variation, grain variation, and popularity. For example, customers with a large budget and who want a unique kitchen may choose Walnut, which is more expensive but less popular.
Learn About The Pros and Cons of Hard Maple
As you work to build up a reputation for quality projects, you can’t risk offering products that you don’t understand. The risks are too great: from unhappy customers to poor-quality results, to expensive repairs or replacements. Understanding what you include in your design is the only way to avoid these issues. That seems like too much for you to accomplish alone, doesn’t it?
That’s why Cutting Edge has empowered you to avoid those problems by providing you with basic information about Maple. Now, it’s time for you to dig deeper. Learn about the pros and cons of using hard Maple for cabinet doors.
