Open Up Your Décor With Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank flooring—which is typically considered to be six inches and above in width—is a popular style trend, appealing for its clean and streamlined aesthetic. In a way, it’s an example of the old becoming new again. In the past, flooring planks were often very wide (and long), harvested from large trees in old-growth forests and worked by hand.
Today, many homeowners choose wide plank flooring to create a contemporary look, although you can find colors and styles that fit just about any décor preference. You may want to use this type of flooring in a smaller room to make it feel bigger, or in a larger space to give it a more streamlined feel. Aside from aesthetics, wider planks offer practical benefits in terms of easier installation and upkeep. Let's take a closer look at these aspects of wide plank flooring.
The Aesthetic Impact of Wide Plank Flooring
Clean, Open, and Cohesive
The wider the plank the more it will create an open feeling in a space, due the fact that you'll have fewer seams breaking up the surface of your flooring. And when it comes to wood and wood-look materials in particular, you’ll get less of an interruption in the grain pattern, generating greater visual cohesion amongst the individual planks. The combination of extra-long and extra-wide will enhance the streamlined look, making the room appear larger. These planks are especially useful for maintaining a sense of continuity in open floor plans.
Contemporary Styling
Wide plank flooring is a popular choice for achieving a contemporary look, even more so when combined with lower gloss and matte finishes. For instance, light wheat tones and fine grains provide a clean and natural European feel. And with these planks being over six inches wide, you’ll bring an aesthetic of breathability to your space—whether it’s a kitchen or modern loft condo. In contrast, you can choose wide plank flooring in deep tones and higher gloss finishes to add a dramatic flair. You can also get rustic looks with rich browns and prominent grain patterns.
XTend is our newest AquaSeal offering and our latest in wide plank design. This water-resistant laminate flooring boasts ultra-wide planks and seamless joints that will give you the look of 6- or 8-foot planks, letting you achieve even more of a streamlined contemporary aesthetic. It's also easy to install for the DIYer.
The Practical Benefits of Wide Plank Flooring
The reduced number of seams in wide plank flooring means fewer crevices to collect dirt and debris, which in turn means easier cleaning. In many cases, you’ll also find these planks easier to install. One reason is that a single wide plank can take the place of two or more narrower planks, so you'll have fewer to install. Also, many of our wide plank flooring designs offer quick click installation.
Of course, you’ll also enjoy the practical benefits that come with the flooring material you choose. For instance, vinyl, Duravana hybrid resilient, wood-look tile, and Hydrocork flooring feature waterproof properties. We also offer water-resistant wide plank flooring as well as options with additional wear resistance for active households.
How Should I Install Wide Plank Flooring?
Installation varies based on the flooring type. Many of our wide plank floors offer quick-click installation, making them an ideal choice for DIYers. You'll find various click installation methods among our vinyl and laminate products, as well as cork, engineered hardwood and bamboo. Tile is often best left to professional installers, unless you have experience working with mortar and grout. And we advise that you have your solid hardwood professionally installed to ensure you get the best performance from your investment. Regardless of the material, special considerations include the condition and type of your subfloor as well as the level your room is on—with some flooring being inappropriate for below-grade installation.
How Do I Maintain Wide Plank Flooring?
Care for your wide plank flooring as you would other flooring of the same material, following instructions in the Warranty, Installation, and Care Guide that comes with your product. Generally, we recommend using a soft-bristle broom to sweep up any debris. Vacuuming should only be done with machines that do not contain hard bristles or beater bars. Care should be taken when mopping hardwood and similar natural flooring materials—and never use steam, which could warp your floor. Tile and waterproof flooring, such as vinyl, can be wet mopped. Use felt protectors under furniture legs to prevent streaks and other damage to any floor surface.
Are Wide Plank Floors More Expensive?
The cost of wide plank flooring depends on the material. Solid hardwood is the most expensive because it requires large pieces of timber, which are not as widely available as smaller pieces and other materials. It’s easier to find wide planks in engineered hardwoods, and in our abundant selection of wood-look flooring in laminate, vinyl, and other materials.
To get an idea of how this style of flooring will look in your space, try our Picture It! Floor Visualizer. All you need to do is snap a photo of your space, upload it into the visualizer, and watch your room transform with the wide plank flooring of your choice. No matter what style you're trying to achieve, we've got you covered. Explore the many choices available in wide plank flooring here at LL Flooring.
