If you’re considering installing wide plank flooring in your space, you might be surprised to learn that wide plank floors come in more than one size.
In this blog, we look at wide plank engineered hardwood flooring, why it’s currently the flooring of choice across a wide range of applications, and tips to help you choose the best width for your space.
What is wide plank flooring?
Wide plank flooring refers to floorboards that measure over 4” wide compared to the average plank width, which is between 2.5” to 4”. However, true wide plank floors tend to be closer to 6” and can get as wide as 16” depending on the source material and design.
Typical floors are mass-produced and are limited in size due to the manufacturing process. While there are wider plank floors available on the market, the average is still no wider than 4” to 5”. This is because the boards are cut from low-grade lumber, with only the very centre of the wood offering the clearer grade customers desire.
As a result, the manufacturing process focuses on a very small sampling of the wood, leading to short and narrow planks, as opposed to the more attractive long and wide floor boards.
What are the best sources for wide plank hardwood flooring?
Sources such as antique and reclaimed wood floors tend to be wider than the average boards found “off the shelf.” There are also customized wide plank floors available, which can be sized to suit any space using a variety of wood species, textures, and stains.
Solid Construction vs. Engineered Hardwood
Solid construction hardwood wide plank floors are made of a single piece of wood, whereas engineered hardwood consists of a hardwood veneer applied to a plywood core.
While solid hardwood is considered the cream of the crop, engineered hardwood has the look of solid construction with added resistance to fluctuating temperatures and moisture.
Why are wide plank floors “in”?
There are many reasons why wide plank flooring is so appealing today, including the following:
- Species: A wide assortment of wood species allows you to find the perfect look for your space, such as red oak, white oak, quarter and rift-sawn oak, walnut, white ash, red pine, cherry, hemlock, red maple, grey elm, and red elm.
- Durability: The wood used for our wide plank flooring is kiln-dried to ensure stability, making our floors stronger and more durable.
- Attractive installation: Wider planks mean fewer visual interruptions, creating a seamless look that’s ideal for both large and small spaces.
- Creating an open feel: Using wider planks in smaller rooms creates a feeling of openness that can make the room feel larger.
Tips to Choose the Right Width for Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring
The right width of flooring is important, as floorboard size impacts the look and feel of the space. Some tips to help you choose the best width for wide plank hardwood flooring in Owen Sound include the following:
- Smaller spaces: While wide plank hardwood floors can make a room feel bigger, they can also make a room feel unbalanced if you go too wide. Therefore, a small room should have planks no wider than 6” to 8” to create the illusion of space without the room feeling overwhelmed by the walls.
- Awkward nooks: If you have a large, open space with a tiny nook serving a specific purpose, it can be difficult to find the right-sized plank. To keep the nook from feeling off-kilter, it’s best to choose a wider plank of about 10”, but in a lighter tone. This will provide the right plank size for the larger open-concept area, without making the tiny nook look disproportionate or feel too confined.
- Large rooms: The sky really is the limit for wide plank hardwood flooring in larger rooms. Space gives you the freedom to choose the wide plank flooring that appeals to your sense of style and design scheme with very few limitations
- Narrow rooms: Wide planks of about 6” are a perfect choice to overcome the “bowling alley” feel of long, narrow rooms. However, running planks of this size along the shorter walls creates a feeling of spaciousness, allowing the eye to focus more on the width as opposed to the length. This works very well in dark, narrow hallways as well, where you want to create a modern look. That said, laying the floorboards against the short wall can also take away from the beauty of long planks. Therefore, if you’re not too keen on the idea of losing that lovely length, you can choose a floorboard wider than 8” laid in the direction of the longest wall to help reduce the feeling of narrowness.
- Try different plank sizes in the space: Trying a few different board sizes out in your room will help avoid making the space feel too small, cramped, busy, or unbalanced. If you want to increase visual size, try laying the boards running parallel to the longest wall in the room. If you want the room to feel cozier, do the opposite, running the boards parallel to the shortest wall. This step ensures you find the layout and size that achieves the look you want to make your final decision.
Revival Flooring: Contact the Hardwood Flooring Experts
When it comes to incorporating this flooring trend into your space, choosing the best width of hardwood flooring tends to boil down to personal taste. Hopefully, these tips will help guide your decision to create the beautiful space you envision.
At Revival Flooring, we offer a wide selection of bespoke flooring, including wide plank hardwood flooring, customized planks, and reclaimed/antique options. Feel free to call us at (888) 421-3396 with any questions you might have about wide plank engineered hardwood flooring. You can also contact us online.