Soft maple for flooring???

[Ron]

I'm planning on installing hardwood flooring in our living & dining rooms this spring.

I looked at a few of the laments, but, not too thrilled with what you get for the money, with the exception on "ease of installation".

I found some 1/2" soft maple for $2.20 a sq.ft. (surfaced 2 sides)

Would this be a sensible choice? I'd think 1/2" would be thick enough, I've seen hw flooring as thin as 3/8"

I've also heard it stains well, any comments?

Figured I might be able to do more of the finish work myself and spend the savings on tools to do the job...

ThankX Ron

[EL]

Where are you located?

Boden

R> I'm planning on installing hardwood flooring in our living & dining rooms > this spring.

[someone]

IMHO, no. Three years ago I got some really nice Muskoka 3 1/4" prefinished, clear, hard maple flooring for $3.15/sqft using a 10% off coupon at Home Depot. HD doesn't seem to carry this brand anymore, but I'm sure a flooring store in your area will have something comparable.

Canadian sugar maple with a factory finish is going to be a lot more durable than local soft maple with a DIY finish.

[Ron]

Pittsburgh