Does Hardwood Floor Planking Size Make a Difference?

If you've been browsing for new hardwood floors for your home or business, you've probably encountered several factors that are influencing your final decision. First off, you want a style and color shade that matches the current décor of your home. You may also be evaluating the durability and Janka Hardness of different types of wood, especially if you have kids and pets. Finally, you'll want a hardwood flooring product that fulfills all your specified quotas but at the same time meets your budget.

Once you've determined the perfect flooring for your needs there may be one more thing to consider – plank size. This isn't necessarily the width of the boards themselves (although that does make a difference in the looks when installed) but the actual thickness. Here are some reasons why hardwood floor planking size should be added to your shopping checklist:

Thicker Hardwood Floors Planks Are More Durable

It doesn't take a whole lot of visualization to see that thicker hardwood floor planks will last longer. There is a larger wear layer that won't tread down as fast due to heavy foot traffic. Thick planks can still dent and get gouges but they're less likely to crack compared to their thinner counterparts.

Thick Planks Can Be Refinished Numerous Times

You've probably heard that a hardwood floor life span can range from 50-70 years up to 100 or more (depending on its thickness). This is true, but also a bit misleading. If a hardwood floor was left “as-is” for 60 years it would look pretty rough. Instead, the reason that hardwood floors keep their appeal for the entire length of their installation is because they can be sanded down and stained for a basically “like-new” appearance. It makes sense then that the thicker a plank is to start with, the more times it can be refinished.

Thick Planks Allow for More Versatile Installations

One thing that many people find out when they install a laminate floor or even a thinner hardwood plank is that they now have a “clicking” sound when they walk. This can be annoying for a homeowner, but might also be a violation of a rental agreement in an apartment or condominium. Thicker hardwood planks help avoid the clicking and other reverberations sometimes automatically associated with wood flooring.

Another benefit that thicker hardwood planks provide is substrate versatility. Not only can you apply thicker hardwood planks over a wood substrate but the can also work over concrete and in a basement as well. The thick solid hardwood not only provides a more comfortable under-foot feel, but also avoids the absorption of moisture (when used with a vapor barrier) compared to thinner planks.

Easiklip Flooring and Standard Industry Thickness

Easiklip flooring is beneficial to your project because our product is 3/4” thick. You might find hardwood that fits your style and budget, but if it's only 3/8” to 1/2” thick you're going to have a shorter lifespan and won't enjoy many of the perks that our flooring provides. Our 3/4” thick planks provide you maximum ROI both in the present as well as when it comes time to sell your home.