Wide planks expand more in hotter environments, making them better suited for cooler climates while narrow planks are better in warmer environments due to their smaller size. Engineered wood flooring tends to not be affected by temperature as much as solid wood flooring.
Consider the Plank Size
Wider luxury vinyl planks provide a more modern tile feel and are excellent for larger or wider rooms. Bigger rooms allow for wider 6- to 8-inch planks since smaller planks will make it appear too busy. Narrower planks may give a more traditional feel and be better suited for smaller spaces.
Wide plank wood boards don't have as many seams as narrower boards. This makes them prone to warping or cupping due to changes in humidity. That's why wide planks are not recommended for environments that have wide humidity fluctuations.
But all of our floors are made to be versatile and look fantastic in any space. “Wide planks have had a good run! They are very DIY-friendly and work well in so many spaces,” Melissa says. “I think narrow planks are definitely making a comeback!
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.
For kitchens, dining rooms, and bedrooms, a 5-inch-wide plank will work quite well. Hardwood floor widths like these are often more popular, and more often stocked, and you can usually find a good deal. As well, they come in a wide array of colors and design features.
Using a wide plank causes an optical illusion making your space appear bigger than it is. We always recommend wider planks for bigger and more vast, open spaces. Don't forget that picking the right colour of your wide plank will also affect how 'big' your small room feels.
Hardwood flooring trends may ebb and flow, but some styles are simply too classic to ever truly go out of fashion. One such timeless option is wide plank hardwood flooring, a design choice that has been gracing homes for centuries but is now making a big comeback in modern spaces.
In 2024, wood LVT trends are shifting from the rustic, distressed aesthetic to softer wood graining and more minimalist wood looks. Preference for grey-hued or industrial wood colorways is now moving toward warmer, richer color tones and soft beiges to evoke an overarching Scandinavian feel.
If your planks are too large, they will make things look out of proportion. We recommend going no larger than 6-8 inches in width for small rooms. Anything larger than this may overwhelm the room and make it look even smaller. Also, consider choosing a light color and stain to give the room a more spacious appearance.
Because wide planks are sourced from older, larger trees, the larger widths are less common. As a result, wide planks are generally more expensive than narrower planks. A commonly sold white-oak narrow plank can cost between $3-$6. A wide plank can range anywhere between $7- $15 unfinished and $10-$21 pre-finished.
Does vinyl flooring devalue a home? It's possible. While vinyl plank floors are affordable and versatile, they might not boost your home's resale value like hardwood or tile would.
Cons: LVP May Fade in Direct Sunlight
This inconsistency in appearance detracts from the overall visual appeal of the flooring and limits where it can be installed in the home. Furthermore, fixing faded portions of a floor often means replacing those areas, which adds to its overall cost over the long-term.
Standard residential thickness between (1/4 inch / 6.5mm) and (3/8 inch / 9.5mm) works great in most homes, while the thickest vinyl plank flooring at (5/8 inch / 15mm) provides maximum protection and sound reduction.
Engineered wide plank floors are more dimensionally stable than solid hardwood floors. Because of this, they won't be as prone to buckle or split in response to humidity fluctuations or changes in temperature. Solid wide plank hardwood floors tend to have a more natural look because they are just plain wood.
Do Light Floors Make a Room Look Bigger? Light color flooring tends to brighten up a space and make it feel larger. Easily modernize a small room and add freshness and light by incorporating bright, creamy floor tones.
Classic Gray
This versatile hue effortlessly complements a wide range of design styles, from modern minimalist to rustic chic. Whether you opt for sleek gray LVP floors or stylish gray luxury vinyl tiles, this understated yet sophisticated color choice adds a sense of timeless elegance to any space.
Natural Wood Flooring
The allure of natural wood as the ultimate flooring choice is undeniable and has stood the test of centuries in both residential and commercial settings.
Yes, the width of your planks can affect the perceived size of a room. Wide planks can make a room appear larger due to fewer seams, while narrow planks can create a sense of space in smaller rooms due to the increased number of lines.
Wide Plank Hardwood Floors
Wide plank hardwood floors are experiencing a resurgence in popularity in 2025. These floors feature wider individual planks compared to traditional narrow planks, and this difference in width has a serious impact on the overall appearance of the flooring.
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.
Many clients tend to prefer something up to 12” wide, both for aesthetics and for the simple fact that hardwood floors wider than this are exceedingly rare. Wider boards are much more common with Eastern White Pine flooring, commonly used for historic renovation, restoration, or reproduction projects.
One of the best ways to create the illusion of a larger space is to choose light-colored flooring that can reflect natural and artificial light. Whether the flooring is tile or engineered wood, opt for a light color, such as bleached wood tones, soft whites, sandy beige, or soft grays.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with using multiple types of flooring in one house. Doing so can help create distinct looks in separate rooms and give you more ways to mix and match as you decorate. If one room is more likely to suffer from water damage, for example, you might want to use tile in that area.