Hard Maple vs. Other Woods: Why Top Venues Choose Maple for Indoor Sports

Hard maple outperforms alternatives like oak or beech in sports flooring due to its superior hardness (1,450 Janka rating) and dimensional stability. Unlike softer woods, maple resists dents and maintains a flat surface under heavy foot traffic, critical for basketball’s fast breaks and soccer’s quick pivots. Its light color also enhances visibility of court markings and reduces eye strain for players and spectators. Additionally, maple’s natural acoustic properties amplify crowd energy, creating an electrifying atmosphere.