Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring: Authentic and Timeless

Rewind . . . the little houses on the prairie had wide plank hardwood flooring. The appeal of log cabins and old wooden houses was enhanced by polished wide plank wood floors. Fast forward . . . wood floors of modern brick structures let the houses breathe and commune with nature amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday living.

Wide plank hardwood flooring gives the most satisfaction if you want the authentic look and feel of wood. Investment wise, this is a smart choice, as this type of flooring has timeless elegance. With the latest technology, hardwood flooring is insect resistant and waterproofed. Wood flooring are kiln dried to a standard 6% to 8% moisture content to ensure that the flooring is thoroughly dry.

When there is an order, the supplier gets the wood from storage and processes it into flooring material – the wood then “goes through the fire.” Kiln drying ensures less shrinkage during seasonal changes. In ordering wide plank floors, you have to sit down with the supplier’s team of experts. Give them the square footage where you want to install your wide plank wood flooring. Of course, your choice will be influenced by your interior decorator.

You have a choice of clear plank grade or rustic grade. Clear plank grade refers to the even wood coloring and graining. The rustic grade will have some knots inherent in the tree’s natural characteristic; but this gives a more rustic appeal if you are thinking of creating a log house. The wide plank hardwood floors will be precision cut to your specifications.

There is a wide variety of plank hardwood flooring to choose from. If you want a light airy look you can go for white pine, birch, maple, or white oak. Darker stains will come from walnut, antique chestnut, and mahogany. You can have the option of going for white pine grain and have it stained for a darker color.

Prices will vary according to the type of wide plank floors. Pine maple and birch will vary from $6-$9 per square foot. Hickory, cherry, ash, and maple may be priced at $9-$12 per square feet. Hardier floors with even coloring and grain will come with a price of $12 per square feet.

Wood for wide plank flooring come in the different hardness rating:

• Hickory – 1820
• Black Walnut – 1010
• White Oak – 1360
• Douglas Fir – 700
• Big Leaf Maple – 940

Suppliers have standard lengths on the ready. If you wish to get wide plank hardwood flooring at a bargain, you can get it at a mill grade which may require some filling.

Flooring for a new house should be done during the last stage of the construction. By that time the wide plank flooring have acclimatized to the temperature in your environment. A professional installer will be recommended by the supplier upon request – it would be cheaper and less trouble for you. If you think the job can be done with your partner, why not?

Wood Floor Patterns