Wide Plank Floors

Wide Plank Floors

May 18, 2019
Mirage
Mirage Character Maple

Hardwood floor planks have become wider and wider over the years as consumer tastes and preferences have gradually changed. What was typically considered a wide plank of 5” in width is now considered more of the norm as many planks can come as wide as 12” in width. Nevertheless, many companies still consider planks wider than 3 inches in width as “wide,” whereas other companies say a floor must be no smaller than 5-inches to be considered a wide plank. There are things to consider when choosing the width of your hardwood planks and these tips may help in your decision.

WIDE PLANK FLOORING PROS

Install time – wide plank floors take up more room per square foot, so naturally it will take less time to fill a room with 7-inch boards as opposed to 3-inch boards. This allows for quicker installation periods, especially when handled by a professional.

Budget accommodating – wide plank floors vary greatly in price. Random width flooring is a popular option that falls within most people’s budgets. However, wide plank flooring can become very expensive if you want boards that exceed 10-inches.

The illusion of more space – wide planks create an illusion that the room you’re in feels larger than it really is. For some, this is a great way to liven up a room.

More characteristics – hardwood floors contain natural characteristics. Knots, natural splits, mineral streaks, and other characteristics can be seen easier with wide plank flooring as more of the board is exposed.

WIDE PLANK FLOORING CONS

Fluctuation in the wood – wide boards have a tendency to shrink and expand simply because they do not have as many seams as narrower boards. This can make it challenging for those who live in environments that fluctuate in temperature. However, engineered wide plank floors help combat this issue. Engineered wood floors are built to withstand fluctuating temperatures. We recommend both nailing & strip gluing wide plank hardwood to ensure a much more stable installation.

Not DIY friendly – wide plank floors are not as DIY-friendly as you would like. Unless you absolutely know what you’re doing, leave wide plank floor installation to the pros.

As far as “is there such a thing as floors that are too wide?”, well… that’s simply a matter of preference. You can have hardwood floor planks as wide as you can imagine, but price may be your barrier. Also, the wider the floors, the more likely for issues relating to fluctuating internal temperatures.

We continue to see a growing trend in the Cincinnati market for wide plank flooring, both in hardwood and luxury vinyl planks, especially favoring European oiled finishes and color palettes. We have several favorite lines here in our showroom that offer stunning wide plank options – if this is a look you are considering, we would love the opportunity to show them to you!