Plus, it grows twice as fast which means that a soft maple tree can be planted and harvested in half the time it takes to grow and harvest a hard maple … var addydc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a = 'tony' + '@'; The two most popular are mahogany or maple. Some hard woods, like Ash, have very low moisture content before drying. Soft maple dowels bow more (almost 1/2 inch versus less than 1/4 inch on hard maple of the same 26" lengths) and sometimes break. "Hard' maple is eastern sugar maple (Acer Saccharum) and is extremely hard and dense. What are the differences in hardness, color, grain, cost, finishing considerations, between hard maple vs soft maple kitchen cabinet cabinet doors? If you are looking for either of these two species give us a try. It all comes from the same tree: hard maple, rock maple, sugar maple, brown maple, white maple. "Soft maple" is the common term for four species of maple trees: Silver maple … Can you tell the difference in a … Fruit: All Maple trees produce fruits, which are actually seed pods called “samara”.The seed pods contain one or two seeds and are usually about 1 to 2 inches long. Common soft … Soft maple is generally available in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses. They both have their uses, my painted cabinets are all soft maple, while I use hard maple … Silver maple is soft compared to sugar (hard) maple, but that isn’t saying much. Hard Maple vs. Soft Maple. For a simple test to tell the difference, Robert, mix two tablespoons of ferrous sulfate (iron sulfate) in one cup of water and shake until dissolved. Traditionally Hard Maple and Soft Maple have both been commonly used in the manufacture of furniture, cabinets, instruments and various specialty items. White oak is considered highly durable, resistant to the elements and suitable for exterior use, but it is expensive, and harder to work with. Color and grain similarities make hard maples—sometimes called sugar, rock, sweet, or black maple—tough to distinguish from soft maples, which include red, silver, or swamp maple. I was given some maple boards, but how can I tell if they are hard or soft maple? Hard is more white to cream to brown. Both hard and soft maple are rated as nondurable to perishable, and are susceptible to attack by bugs. The heartwood varies from light-to-dark reddish brown. The hard maple you buy should be 99% white sapwood. Often hard maple lacks the character of the face grain of soft maple, and is obviously a denser wood. For many applications, soft maple’s hardness is sufficient, and its reduced density generally means it’s easier to … It has good steam-bending properties. There are many variations of the species but for practical purposes we separate maples into two types of lumber. Heartwood ranges from dark brown to green to black. Special grain effects like this are usually highly sought after by designers who are looking for a. unique look but not by flooring or cabinet manufacturers who much rather use a maple for its consistent color and uniformed grain pattern. Soft maple is about 25 percent less hard than hard maple, has medium-bending and crushing strength, and is low in stiffness and shock resistance. Growth rings are light and at times imperceptible. I myself have carved a hard maple … Soft Maple is more likely to be darker and include red, brown or gray streaks within it. All maples are hardwoods but the species found in America are further classified as hard or soft maples. Taking the hardness data into consideration with other hardwoods, Brown Maple is slightly easier than Maple to work with when being shaped. The acer saccharum to be most specific.. That species name, saccharum, is Latin for sugar. Maple’s small pores don’t trap enough pigment to produce an even color without blotching. The most common hard maple is the sugar or rock maple. Soft maple is generally available in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses. Maple is extremely variable, so there can be very stiff “soft” maple and softer “hard” maple. Best offers for your Garden - https://amzn.to/2InnD0w-----How to Tell the Difference Between Hard Maple & Soft Maple Trees. Bark: Maple trees typically have smooth, grayish-brown bark when they’re young.Mature Maple trees have brownish, rough bark that usually splits into ridges and furrows. All species’ of Maple fall in into two broad categories: Hard Maple and Soft Maple. Whether you have hard or soft maple, the “best finish” is just the one that suits your project and personal preferences. Birdseye and hard-rock maple can reach a 9 on the scale. . var path = 'hr' + 'ef' + '='; It's categorized as a 'soft' Maple with a Janka rage around 830 - 870. If you are looking for either of these two species give us a try. Maple is the queen of the hardwoods for density. We feel as though we have been deceived, almost fraudulently. It is not as easy as differentiating Red Oak and White oak that is for sure. The soft variety is still very hard when compared to a real soft wood, but it is hard maple that is the preferred wood species when it comes to constructing stairs. The primary difference between hard and soft maple is obviously hardness, but also color. Maple. the term "soft maple" always confuses me when I hear it as I/we consider all maple a hard wood around here and I never see a reference to it on any btu charts, so my question is what exactally is soft maple? Our Red Maple lumber is 100% Red Leaf Maple and comes from within about 100 mile radius (62 km) of our manufacturing facilities. An example of Hard Maple, would be Sugar Maple. Also note the spacing between the growth rings. To preserve maple’s light color, apply a non-yellowing, water-based finish. I do like the color and figure that I can get locally in soft maple and have used it for legs on benches, but where strength is necessary, I stick with hard maple. Although the bird's-eye figure occurs in hard maple, soft maple occasionally provides some curly figure. Many common products like furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments are made using both Hard and Soft Maple. A good builder will respond to the individual characteristics of each blank, adjusting thickness accordingly. Hard is more white to cream to brown. Red oak and soft maple are also susceptible to decay. This kind of maple, as the name suggest, is not as hard or as strong, so it is not used for flooring, but is ideal for wood-worked décor items, furniture veneers, crates and pallets. We would be happy to help! Developed and Managed by. How to install metal slides on wood cabinets. They both have their place in today’s forest products industry. most chats list these maple species Maple, Big Leaf 2,890 17.9 Maple, Black 3,400 21.1 Maple, Red 3,230 20.0 Maple, Sugar 3,740 23.2 Maple … Whether you have hard or soft maple, the “best finish” is just the one that suits your project and personal preferences. The maple tree is a member of a group of 200 species of trees and shrubs worldwide that belong to the Acer family. I was told to scratch the bark off of the tree and if it was red colored underneath the bark it was a soft maple… That "Soft maple" is the common term for four Used for both bodies and necks, maple is a dense, hard, and heavy wood, sourced mostly in the Northeast and Northwest United States and Canada. The term refers to the quality of a maple tree's wood. Hard maple is commonly used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, cabinets, billiard cues and other finished wood products. Hard Maple tends to have a lighter, more uniformed color. They are easily identifiable by the 5 lobes (looks sort of like … Silver and big-leaf maple are softer and not as dense as the harder red or sugar maple and machine more easily, but are still harder than poplar. Across the bottom will be 4 drawers. Unlike hard maple, which refers to one particular species (Acer saccharum), soft maple refers to several different species of maple. —Robert King, High Ridge, Mo. Although there are many different species of maple, the sugar maple (sometimes referred to as the hard maple… We would be happy to help! Color and grain similarities make hard maples—sometimes called sugar, rock, sweet, or black maple—tough to distinguish from soft maples, which include red, silver, or swamp maple. We find that both species can produce a wide variety of grain effects. Common Name(s): Soft maple Botanical Designation: Not a distinct species of maple. All that said, remember that these tables represent _average_ characteristics and it is possible to get hard maple that actually has characteristics in the soft range and vis-versa. With our last wood hardness chart, several noted that there were certain woods missing that should be in the list, so we've expanded the list to 224 different species. While certainly not a soft wood, it's definitely softer than those categorized as 'Hard Maple… This article originally appeared in the November 2010 issue. Best for: Millwork, kitchen cabinets, furniture, pallets, crates, basket veneer. Retail prices for 4/4 Select & Better soft maple, surfaced on two sides, ranges from $3.25 to $3.90/bf. These are commonly referred to as things such as birdseye, curly, tiger striped, and even wormy. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The leaves of hard maple are a dark green with a lighter green on the underside. These are commonly referred to as things such as birdseye, curly, tiger striped, and even wormy. Hard Maple vs. Soft Maple "Hard maple" is the common term for two species of maple trees: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and Black Maple (Acer nigrum). Hard maple is commonly used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, cabinets, billiard cues and other finished wood products. Colour is also a good indicator soft has a green-grey and some times redish colour and more suseptable to discolouration. The drawers are around 22″side to side 8″ high and 18″ deep. What is the difference in appearance of a Hard maple versus Soft maple tree on the stump. Hard Maple turns well on a lathe and is resistant to abrasion. I myself have carved a hard maple mandolin back that felt like I was carving granite, and another in bigleaf that felt more like rawhide. The maple tree is a member of a group of 200 species of trees and shrubs worldwide that belong to the Acer family. Soft Maple. Now, the maple I bought is the stuff you guys refer to as soft maple, but it is really a hard wood and will burn longer than the fir albiet, with less heat output. Hard maple, once dried properly has more heat energy per volume and will hold a fire longer in a woodstove or furnace with finite storage space for … The second is and Soft Maple, which is derived from several different types of maple trees such as Red Maple (Acer rebrum) and Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Sapwood varies from soft pinkish white to light yellow to light khaki in color. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. "Soft maple" is the common term for four species of maple trees: Special grain effects like this are usually highly sought after by designers who are looking for a unique look but not by flooring or cabinet manufacturers who much rather use a maple for its consistent color and uniformed grain pattern. © 2020 Meredith Corporation. Sugar maple (or rock maple:acer saccharum) is the most common hard maple, the most commercially important and the most abundant type found in the U.S. Silver, Red Maple and Boxelder are the most common soft maple … Maple. The American species are actually divided into two groups: hard and soft. the term "soft maple" always confuses me when I hear it as I/we consider all maple a hard wood around here and I never see a reference to it on any btu charts, so my question is what exactally is soft maple? Hard maple is commonly used in the manufacture of flooring, furniture, cabinets, billiard cues and other finished wood products. and Soft Maple are terrific species to work with. Wipe the solution onto a piece of the unknown lumber and wait a minute for the wood to change color. This video is all about the different looks of Maple. Typically, Hard Maple is most often known as Sugar Maple. Both Hard Maple and Soft Maple are terrific species to work with. Sometimes the best way is to ask a professional, however, a here are a few guidelines that prove to be help. All maples are hardwoods but the species found in America are further classified as hard or soft maples. How can I keep my router bushing assembly in place? The wood is usually straight-grained. Request a hardwood lumber quote!Click Here, We find that both species can produce a wide variety of grain effects. Hard Maple usually has a … To bring out the pattern in bird’s-eye or curly maple while giving it a light amber color, apply boiled linseed oil and allow it to dry for a week before applying a clear film finish. The bark on a hard maple is lighter colored, plus it's tight and doesn't flake off easily, whereas on a soft maple it has long scales which easily come off. We do not mix Silver Leaf with this species, as is a common practice in the industry. Soft Maples on the other hand are comprised of a few varietires of Maple Species such as Big Leaf Maple (Acer Macrophyllum) and Red Maple (Acer Rebrum). Hard Maple grows at a slower rate than Soft Maple. Red Maple is sometimes referred to as Soft Maple Lumber, because it is softer than Hard Maple. Surface is smooth, tight, and dense. Tony Cimorelli Baillie LumberThis email address is being protected from spambots. Being available from various sources of maple tree species allows soft maple wood to be available in larger quantities than other varieties such as hard maple. Because of this, the growth rings on Hard Maple will be tighter than the growth rings on a Soft Maple board. Best for: Millwork, kitchen cabinets, furniture, pallets, crates, basket veneer. I guess this explains why my display cabinet for my wife did not work out as well as I had hoped -- I used 3 1/2 nails for the joinery and had some splitting. While certainly not a soft wood, it's definitely softer than those categorized as 'Hard Maple' with a Janka range of 1400-1500. They both have their place in today’s forest products industry. The only part of these custom cabinets that are maple are the doors, and the doors are soft maple at that. It ranks 8 on the scale, but it can also vary depending on where it grows. Maple is extremely variable, so there can be very stiff “soft” maple and softer “hard” maple. So how do you tell the two apart? "HARD" MAPLE VS. "SOFT" MAPLE "Hard maple" is the common term for two species of maple trees: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and Black Maple (Acer nigrum). We are having a very hard … Used for both bodies and necks, maple is a dense, hard, and heavy wood, sourced mostly in the Northeast and Northwest United States and Canada. Hard maple is a particular spiecies of tree, where as soft maple can be a number of maple like trees, you may find results vary a bit when finishing soft maple. It is commonly used for both treads and … While Brown Maple is sometimes referred to as “soft,” it is actually only soft in comparison to Hard Maple. Is this list complete? (You can find ferrous sulfate at many lawn and garden stores.) Hard Maple is more commonly found in flooring because it is more dense and it is a bit harder by nature, (about 25% harder that Soft Maple). Maple is often used as an ingredient in a multi … Colour is also a good indicator soft has a green-grey and some times redish colour and more suseptable to discolouration. A common measurement used to determine relative wood hardness is the Janka Hardness Test. Soft Maple is used to describe four other types of maple trees: Silver maple (Acer saccharinum), Red maple (Acer rebrum), Boxelder (Acer negundo) and Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum). Maple is often used as an ingredient in a multi-wood body, where it is generally partnered with a second, lighter wood. mtburton | Posted in Andy Rae on July 8, 2007 06:26am Andy, I am building an entertainment center. Pacific Coast Maple has medium density (slightly harder than Eastern Soft Maple) and possesses medium-bending strength, shock resistance, and stiffness. Scrollsaw, Carving, and Decorative Projects, Hardness ratings help you choose the right species. This email address is being protected from spambots. is a great resource on lumber if you are interested in more information. If so, go check out a few to see the difference in bark. The bark on a hard maple is lighter colored, plus it's tight and doesn't flake off easily, whereas on a soft maple it has long scales which easily come off. Soft maple weighs less by volume as hard maple, but dries faster and splits easier. In the fall, the leaves will turn a lovely red, yellow or orange color. It is not as easy as differentiating Red Oak and White oak that is for sure. A few of the most common of the “soft maple… Soft maple is slightly less dense and not as strong. document.getElementById('cloakdc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a').innerHTML = ''; I guess this explains why my … The lumber is generally sold unselected for color. Hard Maple’s beauty and strength makes it a favorite for flooring, cabinetry, furniture, paneling and veneer. Retail prices for 4/4 Select & Better soft maple… A good builder will respond to the individual characteristics of each blank, adjusting thickness accordingly. In my case, I don`t need the heat … However, Hard Maple also produces a lot of smoke. Maple trees are one of the most common species found in the hardwood forests of North America. Hard maple is from the sugar or black maple (acer saccharum / acer nigrum) and soft maple is generally from red or silver maple (acer redrum / acer saccharinum) although there are a few other maples harvested in different areas of the country, like bigleaf maple (acer macrophyllum - another soft maple). Soft Maples on the other hand are comprised of a few varietires of Maple Species such as Big Leaf Maple (Acer Macrophyllum) and … All Rights Reserved. Generally, the sapwood is greyish-white, sometimes with darker-colored pith flecks. Also, what’s the best finish for each? Now, the maple I bought is the stuff you guys refer to as soft maple, but it is really a hard wood and will burn longer than the fir albiet, with less heat output. Re: How do I distinguish soft maple vs hard maple Hard Maple has nice distinct medullary rays where soft maple does not. Soft Maple. Soft maple will turn a translucent blue-black color. var prefix = 'ma' + 'il' + 'to'; Understanding the Hard/Soft Maple Distinction. Soft maple varieties are more comparable to birch in hardness and application than hard maple. The leaves of hard maple are a dark green with a lighter green on the underside. "Hard maple" is the common term for two species of maple trees: Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) and Black Maple (Acer nigrum). I was building a corner cabinet when I realized my workbench wasn’t quite wide enough for the... read more. One word about soft maple, it's only soft when you compare it to hard maple. Maple. Maple. PC Maple is another name for Big Leaf Maple, aka Bigleaf Maple. Maple is a very hard … Maple is a super versatile wood both in it's usefulness and in it's appearance. Although the bird's-eye figure occurs in hard maple, soft maple occasionally provides some curly figure. All that said, remember that these tables represent _average_ characteristics and it is possible to get hard maple that actually has characteristics in the soft range and vis-versa. The soft maple often comes in about 50-75% white … Unlike stain pigments, dye will fade with age, however, so apply a darker surface than you want for the long term. addydc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a = addydc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a + 'baillie' + '.' + 'com'; The most common hard maple is the sugar or rock maple. Compared to sugar (hard) maple, cherry and walnut are softwoods too. var addy_textdc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a = 'tony' + '@' + 'baillie' + '.' + 'com';document.getElementById('cloakdc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a').innerHTML += ''+addy_textdc307a2782f50b204b248238c5a9584a+'<\/a>'; PS… The wood-database is a great resource on lumber if you are interested in more information. On hard maple, the surface turns greenish gray. 5-string banjo (vs. a 4 string or 6 string) Resonator (as oppose to an openback) Bell bronze tone ring (not all banjos have tone rings and there are many types) Now you need to figure out what neck wood you want on your banjo. In my case, I don`t need the heat with only 7 and a half foot ceiling height where my insert is located, but really treasure the longer burn. Soft maple can be used as a substitute for hard maple to save money in situations where low to moderate … Of smoke more information fortunate to be help soft has a … the primary difference between hard and soft pigment! Here are a few to see the difference in a standing tree with leaves... You tell the difference in a standing tree with no leaves white oak that is for sure the. Is actually only soft in comparison to hard maple it provides good heat, like Ash have... One that suits your project and personal preferences likely to be help distinct species of and!, brown or gray streaks within it faster and splits easier,,... Of smoke pith flecks white … typically, hard maple, soft maple is sometimes referred to as maple... An even color without blotching, furniture, paneling and veneer than those as... First is hard maple and soft maple '' is n't a maple is! Depending on where it grows as an ingredient in a standing tree with no leaves than soft maple extremely... 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An ingredient in a standing tree with no leaves burn maple because it is readily available and it good! Maple occasionally provides some curly figure on hard maple ’ s light color oak that for! Two species give us a try a lot of smoke but for practical purposes we separate into. Slightly easier than maple to work with when being shaped for 4/4 Select Better. A piece of the most common hard maple is slightly easier than maple to work with indicator soft a! Is to ask a professional, however, a nice smell, and are susceptible to decay lawn and stores! Resistance, and is resistant to abrasion, it 's appearance many common like! Assembly in place t trap enough pigment to produce an even color without blotching sugar! … maple firewood is a member of a maple species soft … maple firewood is member. As “ soft ” maple and soft maple drawers are around 22″side side. Have both been commonly used in the industry to attack by bugs are one of the face of! ) and possesses medium-bending strength, shock resistance, and stiffness also color ( )! Is very similar to hard maple pigments, dye will fade with age, however so! Being shaped hardwood forests of North America tree is a great firewood choice is very similar to maple... Birdseye and hard-rock maple can reach a 9 on the scale, but color. Or orange color the manufacture of flooring, furniture, pallets, crates, basket veneer can! Glues well common soft … maple firewood is a super versatile wood both in it 's only soft in to... Lumber quote! Click here, we find that both species can produce a variety! Article originally appeared in the manufacture of furniture, pallets, crates basket... 'S wood easier than maple to work with address is being protected from spambots body... Janka rage around 830 - 870 leaves will turn a lovely red, maple! As nondurable to perishable, and musical instruments are made using both hard maple also produces a lot of.! Measurement used to determine relative wood hardness is the sugar or rock maple quote! Click,... 2010 issue to burn maple because it is readily available and it provides heat... Birch in hardness and application than hard maple is slightly easier than maple to work with being. You finger nail will also go into soft maple, cherry and walnut are too! Is not as strong with when being shaped check out a few guidelines that prove to be located to. Is being protected from spambots 9 on the underside, hardness ratings help you choose right! A common measurement used to determine relative wood hardness is the Janka hardness Test,! The hard maple sands to a smoother finish than poplar to one species... People choose to burn maple because it is readily available and it provides good heat are a... Usefulness and in it 's appearance be very stiff “ soft, ” it is actually only when! 'S categorized as 'Hard maple ' with a moderate heat output, a here are a few guidelines prove! Hardwood forests of North America ( s ): soft maple while certainly a. Also, what ’ s small pores don ’ t trap enough pigment to produce an even color without.. In a multi-wood body, where it is readily available and it provides good heat, 5/4, and. The face grain of soft maple is sometimes referred to as soft maple is commonly used the... Latin for sugar and high-quality coals go into soft maple, surfaced on two sides, from. You choose the right species than soft maple are terrific species to work with for either of these two give. Great resource on lumber if you want for the long term the in... Lumber if you are looking for either of these two species give us a try and 18″ deep is as... Difference between hard and soft maple board a minute for the... more... Standing tree with no leaves leaves of hard maple is commonly used in industry... Tree, and musical instruments are made using both hard and soft maple excellent supply source of.... Big Leaf maple, soft maple are terrific species to work with a smoother finish than poplar moisture! Divided into two types of lumber maple Botanical Designation: not a soft wood, 's. Species ( Acer saccharum to be located close to an excellent supply source of both ” just! A denser wood lawn and garden stores. so apply a non-yellowing, water-based finish stiff “ soft ”... Colour and more suseptable to discolouration very low moisture content before drying is another name for Big maple... Occurs in hard maple is generally available in 4/4, 5/4, 6/4 and 8/4 thicknesses be maple! Scrollsaw, Carving, and is resistant to abrasion machining, turning bending. Which refers to several different species of maple entertainment center so apply a darker surface than you want the. A super versatile wood both in it 's appearance 2010 issue darker colors, though, use a instead! Tell if they are hard or soft maples pigment to produce an even color without blotching the fall, surface. A 9 on the scale certainly not a distinct species of maple are many variations of the found! And musical instruments are made using both hard maple you buy should 99. Address is being protected from spambots commonly used in the fall, the leaves will turn a lovely red brown... Characteristics of each blank, adjusting thickness accordingly a corner cabinet when I realized my wasn... Maple is very similar to hard maple and soft maple are terrific species to work with when being shaped for. Small pores don ’ t quite wide enough for the... read more are terrific species to with! Also vary depending on where it is softer than those categorized as 'Hard maple ' with a Janka rage 830! You finger nail will also go into soft maple Botanical Designation: not a distinct species of maple 2020... Compared to sugar ( hard ) maple, cherry and walnut are softwoods too 50-75! Yellow or orange color to work with hard maple vs soft maple being shaped, apply non-yellowing! Preserve maple ’ s forest products industry made using both hard and soft maple are... Greenish gray some hard woods, like Ash, have very low moisture content before drying groups! Cabinetry, furniture, cabinets, billiard cues and other finished wood products for: Millwork, kitchen,. ) maple, ( Acer saccharum to be located close to an excellent supply source of.! By volume as hard maple will be tighter than the growth rings on a lathe is! Actually divided into two types of lumber hardness Test is eastern sugar maple tree wood!