Maple Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is probably the classiest of all flooring products that someone would choose. Hardwood floors have a timeless, warm appeal. They embody an old world charm and romance that is impossible to ignore. Hardwood flooring is not only appealing, it is also long lasting.

Maintained properly a hardwood floor will last 100 years or more. Among the different choices available to a hardwood flooring aficionado maple is an excellent choice.

Maple Flooring and Basketball Courts

Maple wood has several grades. Grade 1 wood is the most expensive and is the cleanest. Grade 2 is fairly clean and grade 3 is the lowest in price and has a rustic appearance. Besides residences, maple is used for sports arenas, gymnasium, and basket ball courts. It works wonderfully well in these areas. Sports arenas require certain properties in their flooring material to make them suitable for high impact activities. Maple flooring helps absorb shocks and provides true ball bounce and surface friction for athletes. The same properties make maple flooring a darling of children.

Advantages of Maple Flooring

• Durability – Maple wood flooring is highly resistant to wearing and abrasions and if maintained properly it can stay in mint condition for several years. The wood is strong, dense and remarkably hard. It is close grained and does not sliver or splinter easily. So you can shift you heavy furniture and let your kids play with abandon, without fear of scratching or denting the wood.
• Beauty – Maple has a uniform texture and a natural feel that adds brightness to any room. The wood is clean with few imperfections. Its shades range from a light tan to a nearly earthy reddish brown. The colors merge well with any décor. Maple looks good without being overbearing. Its subtle beauty highlights the décor without drawing attention to itself. Whatever your décor- ethnic, modern or chic- Maple is one flooring finish that will blend well with it.
• Maintenance – Maple is easy to clean and its maintenance is not a mighty chore. You can sweep the floors regularly to get rid of dust and mop them with a wet cloth. Remember that too wet a cloth can leave stains on the wood. Therefore remember to wring dry the cloth before mopping. Do not use bleach or harsh detergents. Maple is a gentle wood that can acquire a blotchy appearance if it is bleached.
• Reduces Allergens – Like other hardwood flooring options maple flooring is good for individuals who are sensitive to allergies. Unlike carpets and ceramic tiles, allergens cannot become easily grounded in wooden flooring.
• Numerous styles – Maple is now available in an array of designs. You could choose from Tiger Maple, Hard rock Maple, Bird’s eye Maple etc.

Installation of Maple Flooring

Wood tends to absorb moisture. Whenever maple flooring is installed the temperature and humidity must be taken into consideration. Maple wood swells if the humidity is too high and shrinks if it is too low. Gaps may appear when the wood shrinks. Conditions of constant humidity are the best for maple flooring. Ideally, the temp should be 55-75 0F and the humidity should range between 35 to 75 %. The amount of sunlight that the room receives is also important. Wood exposed to a lot of UV light is likely to change color over time.

For those who are environmentally conscious, a green flooring option is also available. You could try hard wood flooring from sustainable forests or you could try reclaimed wood. This is maple flooring that has been retrieved from demolished homes, factories etc. An added attraction of reclaimed wood flooring is that it is generally around 70 years old. If you are a romantic at heart go for it. There’s sure to be a historic tale behind the flooring you are walking on.

Visit our Los Angeles Flooring showrooms for more information about Flooring.