Larger planks stretch the eye, giving the appearance of more square footage. On the other hand, it's important to avoid narrow or thin planks, as the many small lines offer a more crowded atmosphere. Whether you're installing hardwood, laminate, or luxury vinyl planks, wider is better.
Wide Planks
Selecting wide floor planks is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make a room look bigger. Instead of thin strips, go for boards at least seven inches wide. Longer planks (four or more feet in length) can help as well.
Wide plank floors go well in just about any space but they can definitely transform any small room in your home.
Small Room: In a small room, narrow planks can create an elongated linear look which can make a small room look longer and formal. Whereas wide plank floors can make a small room feel cramped as a wide plank tends to have more grain and knots which can interfere with the poised ambiance of the room.
The cost—wide planking is considerably more expensive than standard planking. Availability—despite being a popular choice, wide plank flooring is scarcer and must often be special-ordered. More humidity sensitive. Wide plank flooring can be more susceptible to cupping and crowning due to changes in humidity levels.
Hardwood Flooring
what's better than hardwood flooring? It's beautiful, it's durable, and it never goes out of style. Not to mention all of your friends, family, and neighbors aspire to have it, so you'll have your entire network envying your home's flooring design.
Perks of Wide Plank Wood Flooring
First, it has a more natural and rustic look than other types of flooring, making it perfect for anyone who wants to create a cozy atmosphere in their home. It also creates a smooth look that lets the eye seamlessly roam around the room.
These days, the standard width in hardwood flooring is the 4- or 5-inch wide plank. Curious minds may know that the standard has grown wider with time. These widths are often the go-to because the boards can fit nicely and effectively in most rooms.
It's not recommended to have solid hardwood flooring more than 6″ wide. This is because if the floor boards get much wider, they are prone to damage. Solid hardwood reacts to temperature and humidity changes by expanding and contracting.
Go thinner for an elegant look: A refined look often works best with slender 2 ¼-inch widths. Try wide for a rustic feel: Wider boards of at least 5 inches in width will look the most rustic and are most appropriate if you're also looking for a weathered, bleached or distressed wood look.
Wide plank flooring imbues any home with a timeless, classic feeling. Wide plank flooring is valued for its historic charm, warmth, and unique character.
Light wood flooring has a versatile appearance that fits in well with many decors and styles. A light wood floor can really brighten a space, as well, giving it a fresh new look to the interior design.
Quality and Longevity: All wood floors shrink and contract, but wide planks are more prone to warping and cupping than their narrower cousins. If you live in an area where humidity fluctuates widely, this might not be the best option for you.
The simple answer: no wide plank floors aren't out of style. The long answer: other widths are making a comeback and with that, the feeling that wide planks might be the next thing to go seems reasonable.
Why are wide plank floors more expensive to install? Simply put, wide plank floors are more expensive to install than the other types of flooring because the installation process for wood floors requires more skill and expertise.
Six and nine-inch widths are most common, but if you're looking for a unique size requirement, there are more options available to you. With LVT flooring, the tile format also allows for a variety of sizes.
Wide plank floors can bow or cup as well as experience other moisture-related issues such as buckling if they are not properly cared for and acclimated to the environment in which they are installed.
The wide planks are often made from reclaimed wood, giving it an earthy and rustic feel, which can add a unique character to any space. The wide plank style has remained popular and will most likely remain in style for many years to come.
If the room isn't sunny and has dark, saturated hues on walls, upholstery, and accessories, a wide plank can make it look smaller and, in that case, you might prefer narrow. Especially when in a lighter color, they can make a room seem larger, giving it a bright, airy look.
A classic, inexpensive option for your hardwood floor layout is a straight pattern. If you want to make the room look bigger, the planks should be installed parallel to the longest wall of the room.
It's a misconception that dark wood floors constrict our sense of space. Paired with the right combination of wall color, trim, and molding, darker species like walnut and exotic Brazilian cherry can, in fact, make a room look bigger.
Choosing lighter coloured flooring to compliment your furniture can expand the perceived size of any room and can open the space right up. Think cream carpets, natural and neutral toned tiles and whitewashed wood flooring.
Wide plank wood planks have fewer seams, which means fewer interruptions of the natural lines of both the wood and the room. This makes your floor appear wider and you get a better view of the vertical grains, thus enhancing its appearance.
Wide planks are much more expensive to buy and install than the smaller pieces. Much of this has to do with their source. Wide planks must be milled from the trunks of very old trees.