Maple remains the gold standard for ball sports due to its fine grain and uniform density (0.68 g/cm³), which ensures 93% energy return on jumps. Oak, though denser (0.75 g/cm³), offers 20% higher wear resistance but reduces ball rebound by 8%.
Emerging alternatives are disrupting the market. Rubberwood, a byproduct of the tire industry, is 30% cheaper than oak and has similar shock absorption. Hybrid floors combining a maple top layer with a bamboo core balance performance and sustainability. The article includes a durability test comparing 10 species under 1 million cycles of simulated athletic impact.
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