When deciding on the design of your new gaming table, there are a lot of factors that go into this decision: size, style, stain, and the type of wood. Choosing the type of wood for your new piece may not be something you initially care about; but the type of wood will have a lasting effect on the look, feel, and durability of the furniture.
Two popular wood choices are maple and oak and while they each have their unique characteristics, both could be a good choice for your new table. In this blog, we will outline the differences in appearance, hardness, durability, and more so that you can make an informed decision.
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Types
Maple and oak are both considered hardwood deciduous trees, meaning they lose their leaves in the fall. Maple has two common varieties: hard and soft with soft wood separated into an additional seven varieties. Oak also has two varieties: red and white with both consisting of an additional 10 subspecies. Hard maple and red oak are the most commonly used among builders and carpenters. The major difference between the types is often in the price point. White oak and hard maple tend to be more expensive than red oak and soft maple.
Grain
When it comes to the appearance of maple and oak woods, you can usually tell the difference immediately based on the wood’s grain. Maple wood lacks visible pores in the grain whereas oak typically has a strong grain pattern. Grain patterns will often show up after staining and dependent on the wood the stain may absorb less or more into the wood itself.
Our Berent table is one of many available in maple wood.
Tones
As the name suggests, red oak wood has an orange-reddish hue that provides a warm ambiance. Red oak is a classic wood, a favorite among Amish artisans, and perfect for traditional styled homes. White oak tends to vary in color and can range from light ran to more of a pale yellow-brown.
Soft maple is very highly versatile and can be implemented into a variety of different styles. Soft maple is a unique combination of brown, tan, white, and cream streaks. With a smooth blonde grain, hard maple is a great choice for contemporary style homes. Hard maple tone tends to have a creamy white sapwood with golden hue and light to dark golden brown heartwood.
Hardness and Durability
Wood hardness is measured on the Janka hardness scale. For reference, hickory is the hardest of all domestic hardwoods ranking at 1,820. Hard maple ranks at 1,450, white oak is 1,360, red oak is 1,290 and soft maple is 950. The softest wood is poplar ranking at 590. So while hard maple scores the highest of the four, the overall hardness depends on the species.
The hardness of the woods ties into their durability as well. Hard maple, often called rock maple, is a very durable wood and can be used for a variety of applications. Red maple and white oak are both very durable as well. Due to their grain patterns, both have good wear-resistance and can hide dents and other imperfections. Soft maple wood is the softest of the hardwoods mentioned and can be prone to scratches and dents with heavy use.
Our Augusta table features a storage compartment and is available in oak among other hardwoods.
Workability
Workability is based on how easy it is to cut and shape a type of wood. The harder woods tend to be more difficult to work with, which puts hard maple at the bottom in this category and soft maple at the top. While it may be difficult, don’t deter yourself away from the harder woods based on this. All of the maple and oak types we have mentioned are suitable for interior woodworking such as cabinetry or furniture. Another factor that determines workability is how easy or difficult it is to stain the surface. If the wood is more grainy and porous such as oak then it is easier to stain compared to the smooth surface that maple woods exhibit.
Maple vs. Oak: The Choice is Yours
Maple and oak woods are both great for furniture and you can’t go wrong with either choice. The beauty of our gaming tables is that they are made-to-order based on your preferences. This allows you to choose the materials and stains for a customized finish product to fit your lifestyle. Whether you are looking for more traditional or contemporary, the team at Game On Tables is here to help design the best gaming furniture for you and your family.
