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Is maple harder than oak?

Maple wood is harder than oak, but not as stable. Hardwood harvested from the outer wood of the trunk, or sapwood, is usually a light creamy white color, while hardwood harvested from the center of the tree, or heartwood, is a deeper shade of brown with a slight reddish hue.

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How do you restore white ivory?

To accomplish this, saturate a soft cloth with mineral oil or glycerin and wrap it around the ivory piece. Allow it to set overnight. In the...

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How long is a key cap?
How long is a key cap?

KEYCAP LENGTH FOR STANDARD MECHANICAL KEYBOARD 2u keycap is Backspace. 2.25u keycap is Left Shift or Enter. 2.75u is Right Shift. 6.25u is...

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Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Out of all the flooring options available, oak and maple seem to be among the top choices for homeowners, both of which can be bought as solid or engineered planks. Learn a little more about each type of hardwood flooring and choose which is the best for your home.

Oak Flooring Pros and Cons

Oak is the king of hardwood floors for a reason. It’s an incredibly durable wood that only gets better with time. In fact, some of the most gorgeous hardwood oak floors are 200 years old. It has historically been used as a sign of opulence and can bring a sophisticated and prestigious look to a space. There are a number of reasons it’s a favorite among homeowners, including its availability across the country and reasonable price. Oak flooring also comes in a variety of natural shades, from limed white to natural to very dark, and can be easily stained to suit whatever room it will reside in. The new quick dry stains set within hours and can be coated with polyurethane the next day. Prime grades of oak are very cleanly cut and achieve a contemporary and clean look, while more rustic cuts of oak will have lots of knots and a variety of grain pattern for a more antique appearance. Another attractive feature of oak is its stability and active grain patterns. The wood will perform well in summer humidity as well as winter dryness with minimal care. Dehumidifying basements in summer months and humidifying air in the winter is recommended. The active grain pattern in oak will hide small scratches and dents that occur with normal wear, which means fewer repair and maintenance bills.

Maple Flooring Pros and Cons

Maple flooring is best suited for contemporary spaces due to its light natural finish and clean surface. Its subtle grain pattern makes it a great choice for large, open spaces that need consistency. Maple wood is harder than oak, but not as stable. Hardwood harvested from the outer wood of the trunk, or sapwood, is usually a light creamy white color, while hardwood harvested from the center of the tree, or heartwood, is a deeper shade of brown with a slight reddish hue. A color from the natural spectrum is the most common choice, as maple doesn’t take well to custom staining. However, new factory staining techniques and UV color technology allows maple to be stained many colors in a factory setting. The lack of grain makes it possible to do a very precise color or hue.

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Want to get started on your next oak or maple installation? Contact us today to learn how we can help make your dream floor a reality.

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Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide
Join almost HALF A MILLION Happy Students Worldwide

Pianoforall is one of the most popular online piano courses online and has helped over 450,000 students around the world achieve their dream of playing beautiful piano for over a decade.

Learn More »

Can you use basswood for cutting boards?

More importantly, the grain in basswood is VERY tight, which is why a lot of people use it to carve with. The tightness in this grain is great for cutting boards, because it keeps out juices, which is what causes a lot of cutting boards to source and not last long.

I recently got a commission for 12 cutting boards, and I decided to use some lumber that I already had. I used teak and basswood. While basswood feels like a soft wood to the touch, technically it is a hard wood. More importantly, the grain in basswood is VERY tight, which is why a lot of people use it to carve with. The tightness in this grain is great for cutting boards, because it keeps out juices, which is what causes a lot of cutting boards to source and not last long. When you go to make your own cutting boards, you need to keep the wood type in mind, as well as the finish type. The finish has to COMPLETELY FOOD SAFE. I use 100% pure tung oil, but there are lots of options like mineral oil and beeswax. Be sure to do your research on wood and finishes before you get started.

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