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Put species head to head to decide between them.
White OakHard Maple (Sugar Maple)
| Property | White Oak Quercus alba | Hard Maple (Sugar Maple) Acer saccharum |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Hardwood | Hardwood |
| Cost | $$$ · Premium | $$$ · Premium |
| Hardness | 1350 lbf | 1450 lbf |
| Workability | Good | Fair |
| Seasonal movement | Medium | Medium |
| Outdoor-friendly | Yes | No |
| Origin | Domestic (North America) | Domestic (North America) |
| Commonly built | Whiskey & wine barrels, Adirondack chairs, Mission-style furniture, Boat decks, Farmhouse tables | Butcher-block countertops, Cutting boards, Workbench tops, Bowling alley lanes, Drum shells |
| Overview | Red oak's tougher, water-resistant cousin. Closed cellular structure makes it the classic choice for anything that gets wet. | Dense, pale, and extremely tough. The standard for butcher blocks, workbenches, and anything that takes a beating. |