With the wide selection of wood species, don’t settle for common, production narrow strip-width oak flooring. Imagine your rooms finished in your favorite wood in extra long, wide distinctive plank floors once found only in historic period homes. The wider plank flooring, in longer lengths portend quality that stands out as a cut above the rest. There is no crisper, cleaner, longer wearing, more attractive floor available.
Common strip-width flooring generally measures 1-1/2 or 2-1/4″ wide; the 1-1/2″ as is often found in late Victorian and turn of the century homes. Plank-width flooring describes flooring measuring 3″ wide, running commonly up to 8″. Depending on wood species, some woods are available even up to 12-14″ wide. Be aware that the wider the boards, the more care should be taken to ensure proper environmental conditions to minimize cupping and separation between boards. Seek an experienced plank-flooring specialist to be sure your plank floors are installed properly.
Suitable to any architecture and decorative style, it can be used throughout the entire house. Hardwood plank floors elevate ordinary rooms to the spectacular. The genial warmth and lustrous personality of wood plank flooring distinguish your home, making it memorable.
Its reputation for quality and durability speaks for itself. Dollar for dollar no other material matches wood’s aesthetic appeal, versatility and practicality. Able to outlast your mortgage, wood plank floors will be attractive long after carpet and other materials have been replaced many times. Perfectly sound one hundred-year old wood plank floors are not uncommon.
It cleans easily. Unlike carpet, wood floors won’t collect molds, pollens, dust mites or mildews or absorb dust and odors. There are no toxic fumes to give off. Making wood plank flooring the perfect choice for the allergy sufferer.
Quality wide plank flooring should be:
· 3/4″-thick;
· Tongue-and-grooved and end-matched;
· Relief plowed on the back for improved stability; and
· Kiln dried to approximately 8% moisture content.
For the most custom, high-quality look, choose to have your floors sanded & finished on site. Pre-finished wood floors generally have micro-bevels between the boards to hide over-wood – a term describing a slight difference in thickness from one board to the next. Site finished floors are smooth and flat with no separation between the boards.
Most plank flooring manufacturers will also carry a large selection of matching paneling, moldings, mantles, doors, cabinets, trusses, beams, and stair parts to compliment the majority of species of plank flooring that they sell. Your local plank-flooring specialist can also offer a wealth of new wood flooring ideas.