4 Hardwood Plank Sizes and How to Use Them in Your Space

If you are adding hardwood floors to your home for the first time, deciding what type of wood and shade to pick is a daunting prospect. It may come as a surprise to learn that there are multiple different plank widths you can opt for, too. 

Whichever one you choose can make a big impact on your room's overall aesthetic and your new flooring cost. Luckily, narrowing down the right width is easy with a little know-how. Learn more about the different hardwood plank size options and their pros and cons.

Narrow Planks

Often also referred to as strip planks, these boards usually range from around two to three inches wide. When laid straight, this versatile width offers a timeless, clean, and elegant look in most room sizes. Narrow planks are the perfect choice for a smaller room, as they can make it feel larger. Selecting a light wood shade will help to create a contemporary, linear sense of style.

If you plan on refinishing already fitted hardwood flooring in a classic older home, you will likely see this size of plank. These planks are typically used for creating patterned designs like parquet, herringbone, and chevron, and are also easier for lining up corners.

Be aware that installing these narrow strips is time-consuming, which can add additional expense if you are hiring a local hardwood flooring contractor to do the installation.

Standard Planks

Manufacturers often refer to boards around five inches wide as being the standard plank size for hardwood flooring these days. This width is popular for achieving various looks in most room sizes, especially the rustic or farmhouse decor styles. 

Because of their widespread availability, you can typically find competitive pricing on these boards. For homeowners who struggle with too many choices, opting for this plank size, with its many choices in color and design, could mean that making a final decision will be tricky.

Wide Planks

If you have a large enough space and want to follow the latest trend, why not opt for the broadest plank widths? Anything from around six inches right up to 12-inch-wide boards are now available. A popular choice for large, open rooms and spaces, there are many advantages to using a wider plank.

With this type of plank, fewer seams are on display, and they offer a flowing and luxurious appearance. Wide, weathered boards are a popular choice in rustic farmhouse settings because the wood grain is more visible, adding character. In more formal settings, selecting a darker wood works well.

Wide planks are not without their drawbacks, though. In small spaces, they can make a room seem even smaller. If you do want a wider plank to create a dramatic look in a smaller area, it would be best to select a light shade and stick with one no wider than eight inches.

The widest planks are also more susceptible to warping, a common problem with hardwood floors. Maintaining your hardwood floor will be more challenging, too, as scratches can appear more visible. You may want to avoid these types of planks if you live in a high-humidity region or are fitting wood flooring in a bathroom.

All plank seams become more prominent over time as the wood naturally expands and contracts. You should be aware that these changes can become more noticeable in wide planks because there are fewer seams. For a more uniform look, a narrower plank would be a better choice.

Finally, it should be no surprise that these wide planks are more expensive than the widely available standard plank size. If you are on a limited budget, this could present a challenge.

Random-Width Planks

Hardwood flooring also comes in mixed-width options. These planks work well if you are looking to achieve a rustic, natural look. In the past, all parts of a tree were used to save on building costs. Mixed planks are a great option if you are renovating an old country house.

These planks are an economical option for those on a budget, as manufacturers do not have an intensive sorting process, and prices can be more competitive. Mixed packages usually have boards varying from as narrow as 2¼ to 5 inches, but it will depend on the individual manufacturer. However, these are not the right choice if you are aiming for a streamlined, flowing, and uniform aesthetic.

Gone are the days when plank widths only ranged from around 2¼ to 3 inches wide. While the versatile narrow width offers a classic and timeless look, on-trend wider planks are often the preferred choice for making an impact in larger spaces or achieving a rustic, farmhouse feel.

Tips to Choose the Right Width for Your Space

Choosing the right hardwood floor width for your space does not have to be overly complicated. Here are a few tips to help you make your decision.

• If you are into a more detailed design, narrow planks are perfect for creating patterns like herringbone or chevron.

• Wide planks work well in rustic or farmhouse designs because they show off the charm of the wood grain.

• Standard planks offer lots of versatility and a wide range of options. They can be stained dark for a more formal look or can be finished with a light stain or seal coat to capture modern and contemporary styles.

• Narrow planks can range in cost from $3 per square foot to $10 per square foot, depending where you buy it.

• Standard width planks, often called medium planks, can start at around $3 per square foot and go as high as $13 per square foot.

• Prices for wide planks have a broad range, from $4 per square foot to more than $18 per square foot. Keep in mind, you will need less flooring because each plank covers more space.

• Random-width, or multi-width, planks run about $6.50 per square foot and are harder to find than flooring with the same width. 

• Make sure to do your research prior to ordering. Different hardware stores categorize plank sizes differently, with some categorizing narrow planks as five inches wide while others put these in the standard width category. Others do not carry wide widths, and still others classify standard planks as medium planks.

• You may be able to save money if you choose hardwood flooring in varying lengths.

Additional Considerations When Selecting Hardwood Plank Sizes

Budget

Budget should be a top consideration for any home improvement project. Making sure you choose a hardwood plank size that fits into your budget is essential to a successful project. Standard plank sizes come in a wide variety of options and price points, so that may be your best option if you are operating on a tighter budget. If your budget is larger, you can consider narrow or wide planks. Random-width planks can also be a more budget-friendly option, if you can source them.

Installation Time

Choosing wide width hardwood floor planks can make installation go much faster because there are fewer boards to install. Narrow planks and random-width planks take longer because there is more material to install. And in the case of random-width planks, they need to be fitted together in a way that makes sense, which can also increase installation time.

Home Style

The different plank widths work better in some design styles than others. Wide planks create rustic charm, while narrow planks work well in streamlined designs or to create a patterned floor. Random-with planks can create a one-of-a-kind floor with character, and standard planks are best for home styles that are more conventional.