Which type of wood? We are wavering between maple and birch

Good day

We would like a light parquet floor either lacquered or oiled. Due to our furniture, we would prefer maple parquet. However, we did not like maple very much. Birch appealed to us much more. Birch also has a nice sheen.

According to our current information, birch is supposed to be significantly softer than maple. What do the experts say about this?

We would also like to know whether these types of wood should be better oiled or lacquered?!

Thank you!

It is indeed the case that birch is a rather soft wood. European maple is also softer than Canadian maple. However, not only the hardness of a parquet floor plays an important role, but also the fundamental properties of the wood. The issue of oiled or sealed depends on the usage and personal preferences. Both have their advantages and cannot be conclusively answered without personal consultation.