{"id":20589,"date":"2022-10-13T10:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T14:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/?p=20589"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:50:44","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:50:44","slug":"walnut-vs-brown-maple-which-makes-better-furniture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dutchcrafters.com\/blog\/walnut-vs-brown-maple-which-makes-better-furniture\/","title":{"rendered":"Walnut vs. Brown Maple: Which Makes Better Furniture?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Walnut and brown maple are two woods that look good in dark stains. They\u2019re easy to work with and both offer reliable durability. One is more expensive than the other and their grain patterns differ. We\u2019re taking a look at walnut wood versus brown maple<\/a> wood to see which makes better Amish furniture<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walnut Wood Colors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s start with wood colors. Walnut wood is known for its exotic dark tones. The wood from the walnut tree that is used to make furniture comes from the heartwood and sapwood of the tree. The heartwood is located closer to the center of the log, while the sapwood is found in its outer rings. Heartwood and sapwood will feature different shades. The sapwood of the walnut tree is a light yellow color, almost white, while the heartwood colors range from light to dark brown, with dark brown shades featuring purple or red tones.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
The Amish Denton Trestle Rustic Walnut Live Edge Dining Table<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Brown Maple Wood Colors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brown maple wood colors include a variety of brown shades, tans, creams and whites, and there might be light or dark streaks running through it. Brown maple wood used for furniture is taken from the heartwood of maple trees (hard maple comes from the sapwood).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walnut Wood Grain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut wood grain is generally fine and straight, and the wood displays a medium texture. While walnut grain is refined and elegant, it can display some irregularities. These include knots or extra sap. Sometimes there are waves, burls or curls that are the result of knots present in the wood. These irregularities actually contribute to unique patterns that add to walnut\u2019s exceptional look.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brown Maple Wood Grain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Brown maple offers a sleek, smooth grain with a uniform texture. The smooth grain makes brown maple<\/a> ideal for a stained or painted finish, or a distressed<\/a> one. Brown maple doesn\u2019t follow a rule book, and some contains figuring, or variations in the grain pattern. Grain variations include things like, flame, tiger, curly, wavy or birds eye that are all sought after for their unique look. Incredibly, these variations result from trauma that tree endured as it grew.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Marque<\/a>
The Marque Brown Maple Side Chair-Quick Ship<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Walnut Wood Strength<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut <\/a>is a hard, stable wood. This elite wood promises strength and durability. It absorbs shock well and resists decay. On the Janka Hardness Scale, walnut rates at 1010, putting it ahead of cherry<\/a> and brown maple for hardness, yet still behind oak wood<\/a>, that comes in at 1290.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Janka Rating is used to test the relative hardness of wood, measuring the amount of force it takes to embed a 0.444\u201d steel ball into the wood to half of the ball\u2019s diameter.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Imperial Coffee Table<\/a> in walnut wood.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Brown Maple Wood Strength<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While brown maple wood is referred to as soft maple, this does not mean it is a poor performer. It is termed soft maple <\/a>in comparison to the hardness of hard maple wood. But brown maple offers plenty of its own strength and durability. Brown maple has a Janka hardness rating of 950, very close to that of cherry wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While brown maple is plenty durable and strong, you\u2019ll want to be more careful with it, as surfaces can get nicked or marked more easily than a harder wood like oak.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Vienna End Table<\/a> in brown maple.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Building with Walnut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut wood is easy to work with. It wears stain beautifully and holds its form. It\u2019s easy to cut and sculpt with hand tools and machines. It\u2019s a wood that can display intricate carvings as it is easy to carve and turn. Walnut wood is a bit of a chameleon, wearing dark stains beautifully, then turning around and looking stunning in just a natural linseed-oil finish that\u2019s barely there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woodworkers<\/a> like walnut wood because it is easy to carve and turn. That\u2019s why you\u2019ll find some intricate carvings on walnut desks or turned legs on walnut chairs or tables. Walnut takes stain well, glues well, and works well for steam bending. Walnut polishes nicely, and it nails and screws well. However, its rich dark color is not the ideal canvas for paint. Dark stains or a clear coat finish or oiled finish are best to enhance its beautiful hues. <\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
Walnut wood captures the details of the Imperial Entertainment Center.<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Building with Brown Maple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ve mentioned how brown maples uniform texture and smooth wood grain make it great to stain, paint or distress. When it comes to stain color, it\u2019s recommended a darker stain be chosen for brown maple. Why? There may be some grayish\/greenish mineral streaking in the wood. Select a light stain for brown maple and this could show through the stain. This does not mean you can\u2019t select a lighter stain color for brown maple, it just might not look as flattering as a medium or darker one.  Select a dark stain, and the streaks take on a unique pattern and look, adding to the effect and making some areas darker than others.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Amish<\/a>
The Amish Caldwell Executive Desk <\/a>in brown maple wood with Rock Tavern finish, light distressing and glazing.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Price Comparison for Walnut and Brown Maple<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walnut has the higher price between these two candidates. Why? Walnut trees are not as plentiful as some other trees. They don\u2019t get as tall either, resulting in less wood per tree. Walnut wood has more knots to work around, and does not come in long boards like other woods. These factors and its exceptional look make it a premium wood, therefore driving up the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many love brown maple wood for its colors and durability, and they also love the price. While brown maple is often compared to cherry in terms of how it looks, it has a lower price tag. Brown maple wood is one of the least expensive hardwood options. It costs less due to the fact that it is a more common wood that grows quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Brown Maple Wood<\/h2>\n\n\n\n