Fall in Love with Wide-Plank Hardwood Flooring
When it comes to design, we’re spoiled by choice. Even when it comes to selecting hardwood flooring for your home, your decisions are not limited to colour or finish. There’s also the plank size (narrow or wide) to consider. The difference between standard narrow-planks and wide-planks may seem obvious, but there’s more to it than meets the eye. For instance, different plank widths complement different interior designs.
So if you’ve considered installing hardwood flooring and didn’t know about plank width options, you’ll want to keep reading. We’re going to outline what defines wide-plank hardwood flooring, while also diving into their design features and benefits.
What are Wide-Plank Hardwood Floors?
For hardwood flooring to be considered wide-plank, it needs to be greater than 4 inches wide, compared to standard flooring that’s usually between 2-4 inches wide. However, in recent years, the new normal for standard-sized boards is closer to 4 inches. But in terms of popularity, the most common wide-plank size is 4 to 10 inches as it’s less expensive and more widely available.
There is a small market for boards wider than 10 inches. This is largely due to low supply. Wide-plank boards are sourced from the trunk of a large tree; naturally, this means there aren’t many trees that fit these parameters. To remedy this, there is a market for vintage or reclaimed boards; a green alternative for those who want an environmentally friendly product. Additionally, for the same finish, engineered wide-planks are a much less expensive option.
Design Features of Wide-Plank Hardwood Floors
Wide-plank hardwood floors are quite desirable, especially if you live in a century home, farmhouse or are a fan of the rustic look. This is because a lot more of the board is visible so you’ll get to see the wood grain and unique characteristics of the wood better. This gives your living space more of an old-world feeling — it’s also why it’s a popular choice for older homes.
Most commonly you’ll find darker wide-plank hardwoods in older homes or rustic spaces, but the lighter wide-planks are starting to trend in contemporary or Scandanavian-inspired homes.
Benefits of Wide-Plank Hardwood Flooring
Aside from the aesthetic beauty of hardwood flooring, there are many other benefits to installing wide-plank hardwood. Some of the most notable benefits include:
Options: You have lots of choices when it comes to wide-plank hardwood. Cost, colour, width and even finish. Some homeowners may opt for unfinished so they have more say over the completed look.
Engineered Wide-Plank: Yet another choice that’s deserving of its own point. You’re not limited to just solid hardwood; you have the option of going with engineered wide-plank as well. Engineered wide-plank boards are layers of cross-sectioned wood with a hardwood lamella top (solid wood) that are made to look like solid wood. This type of wide-plank hardwood also happens to be budget-friendly, making it popular with thrifty homeowners.
Value: As with any hardwood flooring, it’s worth the cost of installation because of the value it brings to your home. You won’t find many homeowners who don’t appreciate the charm of wooden floors.
Warmth: There is no other flooring that screams comfort the way hardwood does and when you add the cozy, unpretentious charm of wide-plank hardwood, it creates an aura that exudes warmth. This hardwood flooring type is welcoming and a great anchor for your interior design.
Durable: Hardwood flooring is hardwearing, like the trees it’s made from. When properly kept, hardwood floors will last a lifetime — or longer. That’s why there’s a market for reclaimed wood. You’ll get a lot of life out of your hardwood and every so often when you can’t buff out all the inevitable dings and scratches, you can sand and refinish your floors to bring them back to life.
Makes Your Space Appear Larger: Installing wide-plank hardwood flooring is an optical illusion. It’ll make smaller spaces appear much larger than they are. Conversely, it can make big living spaces feel grander, and really, there is no downside to making your room feel more spacious.
Why Choose Wide-Plank Hardwood Flooring
When it comes time to refresh your interior design, don’t discount the value wide-plank flooring can bring to your home. It can transform just about any room into a comforting, relaxing, beautiful space. We can show you how. Contact us today for a free consultation.
