Hardwood floors are incredibly popular, and wide plank flooring in Atlanta has seen a particular surge in popularity over the last few years. This style of hardwood flooring can provide both an eligent or rustic look that’s beautiful in any home. If you’re considering wide plank flooring, keep reading to learn more about this particular type of hardwood flooring so that you can make an educated decision.
What Does “Wide Plank” Mean?
So, what exactly qualifies as “wide plank” flooring? Most hardwood flooring is made up of planks that are less than 3-1/2” inches wide. Wide plank flooring, on the other hand, can be anywhere from 3 to 10 inches wide; with wider options for certain wood species. This gives you an incredible range of sizes to choose from when selecting the planks for your flooring.
Why Are Wide Planks Popular?
Recent trends in interior design have leaned towards a more natural aesthetic, and wide planks appeal to this style. The wider the floorboards, the more you can see of the wood’s natural grain and texture, and other inherent characteristics.
Wide plank floors also have a bit of a vintage appeal to them; they were previously more common in the early 19th century. In those days, wider floorboards were preferred for floors because it meant fewer boards were needed and, therefore, less labor was required for both the carpenters and the woodcutters. This is why you may have seen such flooring in very old houses or cabins. The combination of the more rustic look and the old-fashioned charm makes it very popular with today’s interior design trends.
Do You Have the Same Options?
Now, you might be wondering if choosing to go with wider planks will limit your selection at all. Well, we have good news for you—it doesn’t! Wide planks generally don’t limit the species of wood that you can use for your floors. You can even find wide plank flooring milled from reclaimed and exotic woods, as well as every type of hard and softwood available for standard wood species; even engineered wood flooring is available in wide planks. Engineered is preferable due to enhance stability in response to changes in humidity; it is especially desire for below grade applications, such as you basement. Our ¾” thick engineered flooring looks and walks the same as solid wood flooring. With all of our flooring products, you can also still choose from a variety of surfaces, including hand-scraped, rough-sawn, smooth, or distressed..
Does It Cost More?
Yes, it typically does cost a little more to install wide wood planks as opposed to standard wood flooring. The cost will increase as the width of the plank increases due to raw material yield, in most cases. The one exception to this is engineered wood, which will sometimes cost less for wide planks than for standard solid wood planks. The final cost per foot will be based on the width of the planks, the species and the gradeof wood you choose.
If you’re considering wide plank flooring for your home or place of business, contact WOOD & Co. today. We are the top timber supplier in Atlanta and specialists at milling and installing wood floors of all kinds. Whether you want wide planks or standard strip widths, solid wood or engineered flooring, we can help! Give us a call to learn more about our available options for wide plank floors and to get an estimate for your project.