Why Are Sports Floors Always Made of Maple Wood?

1. Durability and Hardness

Maple is a ​hardwood​, which means it's dense and strong. This is essential for withstanding the constant wear and tear of sports activities. For basketball courts, where players are constantly running, jumping, and pivoting, maple’s hardness provides the necessary resistance to abrasions and impacts.

• ​Hardness rating (Janka scale)​: Maple ranks around 1450 on the Janka hardness scale (a measure of wood's resistance to wear), which is significantly harder than many other woods. This makes it perfect for high-impact sports like basketball.

2. Consistency and Smoothness

Maple has a fine, even grain that’s both visually attractive and functional. The consistency of the grain ensures the floor’s smoothness, providing an even playing surface. This smoothness is essential for consistent ball bounce and player comfort.

• ​Evenness​: The tight, uniform grain reduces the likelihood of defects or inconsistencies that might affect gameplay.

3. Shock Absorption and Resilience

Maple wood has a good balance between shock absorption and ​resilience​. It’s not too soft (which would cause damage or excessive wear) but still provides a bit of cushioning for player safety, reducing stress on joints during high-impact activities.

• ​Spring system​: Many maple courts are installed with a sprung subfloor that enhances shock absorption while keeping the hardwood surface intact.

4. Ball Bounce and Performance

Maple provides the best rebound properties for basketballs. The wood’s elasticity helps create a consistent bounce, which is crucial for maintaining a fair and predictable game.

• The hardness and smoothness of maple allow the ball to bounce consistently, which is important for accuracy in competitive play.

5. Traditional and Trusted

Maple has been the traditional choice for sports floors since the ​early 20th century​. Major professional leagues like the NBA and FIBA have long relied on maple because it has proven to be an effective and long-lasting material. This long-standing history has made it the gold standard for basketball floors.

6. Workability and Finishing

Maple is ​relatively easy to work with​. It sands well and takes finishes like lacquer and varnish without issue. This is important for creating that iconic high-gloss finish that is standard in professional basketball courts.

• ​UV-cured finishes​: Maple works excellently with high-gloss UV-cured finishes, which give the floor its reflective sheen and add durability.

7. Environmental Considerations

Maple is sourced from ​sustainable forests​, making it a relatively eco-friendly choice compared to other materials. In addition, the availability of maple (especially in North America) makes it an accessible and cost-effective choice for large-scale courts.

Summary: Why Maple Wood?

Maple is the ideal wood for basketball courts because it strikes a balance between performance, durability, and workability. No other wood provides the same combination of properties, which is why it remains the gold standard in sports flooring.