Maple Baseboards & Trim

Hard Maple

• Acer saccharum, or sugar maple, is the most common type of hard maple in America. More durable than soft maples, it is suitable for high-traffic areas where it can stand up to abuse. So, it's ideal for use as trim around a front door or baseboard along an entryway. Dense and tough, it is also attractive, with a closely patterned grain that varies widely in color. In fact, it is often chosen specifically for color and used in its natural state. Hard maple is a good choice if you don't want to stain or paint your baseboards and trim, and want something that will last a long time.

Soft Maple

• Soft maple is much less expensive than hard maple. Silver and red maple are both soft maple trees. Soft maple is not as durable as hard maple, but it is plentiful and can be stained to mimic other woods. It is also more easily worked than hard maple. Soft maple is an appropriate choice if you are on a budget and if you want to paint or stain your baseboards and trim to match a different wood in your home.

Baseboards

• Baseboards are strips of wood that run along the wall where it meets the floor. Although baseboards are often used to hide blemishes, mistakes or odd angles, they are primarily decorative. In many cases, they are painted a color that contrasts with the wall, which highlights their attractiveness.

Trim

• Trim is used to frame windows, doorways and other parts of the home. These strips of wood can include crown molding and chair rails. Usually, but not always, trim matches the baseboards -- at least in color, if not style. The use of trim is a decorative way to add architectural details that add attractiveness and character to a home.