MFMA
Northern Hard
Maple Flooring
Residential information
More and more
homeowners are
turning to the
natural warmth and
beauty of northern
hard maple.
MFMA Second & Better Grade Maple
MFMA northern hard maple is
regarded as the premium species among hardwoods – it is easy to care for and
clean, increases the value of your home,
is remarkably hard and extremely durable.
Its unique character offers a wide range of
design uses and a natural lighter color that
complements all styles of homes and
interior settings from modern to
traditional to rustic. Northern hard maple is
the “green” choice being renewable,
recyclable, biodegradable and re-useable.
The quality of this exquisite hardwood begins in the northern forest
above the 35th parallel where shorter growing seasons and longer winters
produce a densely grained maple with rich, consistent color and fewer
imperfections. MFMA maple comes with peace of mind and quality
assurance. An MFMA mill number is embossed into the back of every
strip of MFMA maple. It is our guarantee that strictly enforced MFMA
grading rules and quality standards have been painstakingly followed in
the production of each strip of flooring.
 Grades of MFMA Northern Hard Maple
First Grade
The highest standard MFMA grade is hand
selected to minimize the natural character
variations of the species.
Second & Better Grade
The most commonly specified flooring,
this grade exhibits more natural
variations than first grade.
Third Grade
This grade has the same structural integrity
as first and second & better and exhibits
more natural variations than either grade.
Note: The above grades, types, widths
and thicknesses also apply to MFMA
beech and MFMA birch flooring.
Types of MFMA Northern Hard Maple
MFMA-RL (Random Length) – strip maple
flooring of various lengths
MFMA-FJ (Finger Jointed) – strip maple
flooring of various lengths finger jointed
together
MFMA-PQ (Parquet) – square and rectangular
panels in a variety of dimensions
Typical Widths & Thicknesses
MFMA-RL and MFMA-FJ standard face
widths: 1-1/2”, 2-1/4”, 2-1/2” and 3-1/4”
MFMA-RL and MFMA-FJ standard thicknesses:
1/2”, 25/32” (most commonly
selected) and 33/32”
MFMA-PQ individual picket widths
ranging from 7/8” to 1-1/8”, and picket
lengths ranging from 5-1/2” to 12”.
Minimum thickness of MFMA-PQ Northern
Hard Maple is 5/16”.
Moisture Control
The MFMA recommends that the home environment where your
maple floor will be installed be stable when the flooring materials
arrive — air temperature between 55 and 75 degrees and indoor
relative humidity between 35 and 50 percent. Moisture absorption
causes wood to swell; moisture loss causes wood to shrink.
To properly acclimate, the maple should be stored in the room
where it will be installed. After installation, your maple flooring will
take about a year or two to further stabilize through a complete
cycle of seasonal changes. And your floor will continue to respond
to environmental changes throughout its life span.
As a homeowner, it is very important for you to understand how
dry or humid conditions will affect your MFMA maple flooring.
All hardwoods will react to changing environmental conditions.
MFMA maple should be installed on or above grade only.
Below grade installations are not recommended.
Separations - The appearance of shrinkage cracks during dry
winter months is common and expected. These separations will
normally close in the spring and early summer, as the floor picks
up moisture from the air. We recommend the use of a humidification/
dehumidification system in your home to maintain proper
humidity levels.
Squeaks - Squeaks in the floor can also be caused by the
seasonal expansion/contraction cycles, and can be minimized by
maintaining a constant indoor environment.
Cupping - A “washboard” appearance across the width of one
piece of flooring has only one cause: moisture imbalance through
the thickness where the moisture content is higher on the bottom
of the board than the top. The moisture source, be it excessive
indoor relative humidity or water leakage, must be eliminated
before any repair work is performed.
Acclimation
- Your MFMA maple flooring should be delivered at least 72
hours before installation and placed in the room to begin its
acclimation.
- Your homes’ geographic location and the time of year of the
installation must be taken into account by the installer for
proper acclimation.
- All “wet” trades (i.e., painting) should be completed before
the flooring is delivered to your home. Heating or air conditioning
should be in full operation prior to delivery of the
flooring and throughout the acclimation period.
Radiant Heat
MFMA maple flooring may be installed over concrete slabs in
which radiant heating pipes are embedded. However, slightly
higher water temperatures may be required. There are a number
of important precautions to follow. We recommend discussing this
option with your MFMA flooring installer.
Sealers & Finishes
There are many different types of sealers and surface finishes
available to create the perfect look for your solid maple hardwood
floor. While sealers can be used alone on the floor, generally they
are applied as an undercoat for a finish. Recommended finishes
include oil-based urethanes, moisture-cured urethanes, Swedish
finishes, and water-based urethanes. We recommend that you
discuss these options with your MFMA flooring installer to obtain
the ideal effect for your home
 Maintenance
- Never use water to clean your hardwoods. Soaps, detergents, “oil soaps,” wax removers, polishes and so on will damage
the wood and finish and leave a discoloring residue, making
refinishing difficult.
- It is very important to keep the floor surface free from dust,
grit, sand and abrasive particles. Dust mopping and vacuuming
your maple floor is recommended at least once a week.
- Cleaning agents are available for your maple floor, contact
your installer or finish manufacturer for more information.
We are confident that you will enjoy the beauty and durability of
your MFMA maple flooring for many years to come. In fact, with proper
care and maintenance, most MFMA maple floors will last for generations.
That’s a product well worth investing in!
Established in 1897, the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association is
a trade association representing the maple flooring industry.
Should you have any additional questions or if you would like to receive
a list of our members, please call us at 888-480-9138,
or E-mail us at mfma@maplefloor.org.
Disclaimer: The MFMA Residential Flooring Brochure has been designed to provide general information to homeowners, specifiers,
distributors and other consumers. The MFMA, its members, officers and agents disclaim any responsibility whatsoever for the accuracy or
applicability of these guidelines under all circumstances and conditions.
Print PDF of the MFMA Northern Hard Maple Flooring Residential Information brochure.
Copyright ©1995-2005 Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association, Inc.
All rights reserved.
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