Oak vs. Maple Wood Furniture

Color

• Oak exists in different varieties including European, red and white oak. Colors range from light tan to a reddish tone for red oak, while white oak is light tan or yellowish brown. Hard maple wood ranges from a creamy and light white to a reddish tint.

Mechanical Properties

• Red oak is hard and has a high crush strength, while white oak is slightly softer and has a medium crush strength. Red oak also has a medium stiffness, while white oak has low stiffness. Maple has both high bending and crushing strength. Both maple and oak are ideal for steam bending.

Grain and Texture

• Oak has a relatively smooth grain, while maple wood may have a smooth grain, but it's also possible to have a curly or wavy grain. Both white oak and red oak have coarse textures, but some variations of white oak have a medium texture. The longer grains in white oak make it more appealing. Maple has a fine and even texture.

Durability

• Maple wood is not as durable as some other types of wood and is a common target for furniture beetles. It takes well to polishes, stains and glue. Red oak's heartwood is non-durable, while white oak is more durable, but both types are at risk of insect attacks.