Availability of Wide Planks: Solid vs Engineer Hardwood
Hardwood floors with wide planks, generally defined as planks wider than 5 inches, have become an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. The wide planks create a dramatic, expansive look that lends a sense of luxury.
When considering wide plank hardwood, two main categories exist – solid hardwood or engineered hardwood. There are key differences between the two in terms of availability, cost, and installation best practices when using wide planks.</b> Understanding these factors will help guide homeowners to the best choice for their space and budget.
What is Solid Hardwood?
Solid hardwood flooring is milled from a single piece of hardwood lumber. It can come in various plank widths, with widths over 5” considered “wide plank.”Some benefits of solid wide plank floors:
- Can be sanded and refinished many times, increasing longevity
- Stable in fluctuating humidity when properly acclimated
- Traditional appearance showing natural wood grain
However, availability and cost may be limiting factors for wide width solid hardwood…
What is Engineered Hardwood?
Engineered hardwood flooring has a top layer of solid wood, usually around 1/8” thick, glued to structural wood layers underneath, usually high-density fiberboard (HDF). The structural layers make engineered flooring more dimensionally stable and less prone to expansion/contraction with moisture changes. This increased stability allows for wider plank widths compared to solid hardwood.
Benefits of wide plank engineered flooring:
- More readily available in wider plank sizes
- Lower cost for larger planks compared to solid wood
- Can still be lightly sanded/refinished over time
Understanding the differences between solid and engineered will clarify availability and best uses of wide plank hardwood.
Availability of Wide Planks in Solid Hardwood
Finding solid hardwood in wider plank sizes can be more challenging and limited compared to engineered options. There are a few factors affecting wide plank availability:
Source of Lumber
The source lumber affects maximum plank width:
- Domestic Woods: Oak, maple, hickory, cherry, walnut. Up to 7” width typically available.
- Exotic Imports: Brazilian cherry, acacia, African mahogany. Up to 7-9” width available.
- Old Growth Forests: American chestnut, eastern white pine. Up to 12”+ width possible.
Old growth woods allow the widest planks but are extremely limited in supply. Most wide, solid domestic woods max out at 7” widths.
Milling Limitations
The milling process itself also dictates plank widths. As hardwood boards get wider, keeping them straight and flat becomes more difficult. Limitations include:
- Bowing – wider boards can develop a slight bow as internal stresses release
- Cupping – board can cup across the grain from uneven drying
- Twisting – fibers can twist along the length of the board
Mills making wider plank stock must account for these issues with careful kiln drying and precision planing. This specialized handling decreases yields and increases costs.
Increased Waste with Width
As plank width increases, waste generated through the manufacturing process also increases. The wider the stock, the more likely any defects will be revealed requiring cut-outs and workarounds. This waste must be accounted for with higher prices.
Overall, limitations in raw lumber sources combined with more specialized production methods mean solid wide plank hardwood availability tops out around 7”. Engineered construction offers an alternative for wider planks.
Availability of Wide Planks in Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood’s layered plywood-style construction makes it more dimensionally stable and able to accommodate much wider plank sizes than solid wood.
Manufacturing Process Allows Wider Planks
The production method allows engineered floors to minimize problems with bowing, cupping, and twisting.
- Multi-layer construction prevents distortion
- Moisture resistant substrate prevents moisture absorption
- Precision pressing creates durable, flat planks
This predictable, stable engineered structure allows planks to be made much wider than solid wood.
Veneer Layer Saves Valuable Resources
Since only a thin veneer of expensive hardwood finishes the plank, engineered floors require less high-grade lumber.
- More design flexibility with rare/expensive wood species
- Allows better allocation of limited old growth forest resources
- Minimizes waste by using engineered structure for strength
With engineered construction, width depends less on lumber supply constraints and more on aesthetics and installation considerations.
Wider Custom Width Options
The structural stability from engineered construction enables custom plank widths up to 11”+ inches. Brands like Mullican and DuChateau offer wide engineered products at set increments up to 11”.
Made-to-order products from vendors like Heritage Wide Plank Flooring or Oz Wood Flooring allow custom widths over 11” as a specialty product. This customization lets homeowners realize extra wide plank visions.
In summary, engineered hardwood’s layered build allows reliably straight, wide planks not restricted by solid lumber limitations.
How Plank Width Impacts Performance
While engineered construction enables much wider planks than solid wood, width still impacts flooring performance. Wider planks of either type affect:
Stability
Humidity fluctuations cause wood expansion and contraction. Wider planks mean wider spaces between planks, so changes are more visible.
- Solid wood moves the most, up to 2” expansion across grain per 12” width
- Engineered wood moves 50-75% less than solid wood
For wide planks, engineered wood resists gapping and distortion better under moisture changes. Proper installation and climate control still required.
Installation
Wider planks require specialized installation for best performance:
- Flat subfloor – Any uneven spots telegraph through wide planks
- Strong subfloor – Prevents flexing under weight which can crack wood
- Expansion space – Wider wood requires wider expansion gaps, 15-20 ft per plank width
Careful prep work provides a flat, smooth substrate for excellent wide plank stability.
Cost
For both solid and engineered, wider plank widths increase cost exponentially. Reasons include:
- Larger raw materials required per square foot
- More finishing work to treat exposed faces
- More waste from milling wider stock lowering yields
- Specialized equipment and production lines
The engineered structure offers some cost benefit for wider widths vs. solid wood. But wider engineered planks still cost significantly more than standard widths.
Tips for Purchasing Wide Planks
When deciding between solid or engineered construction for wide plank floors, keep the following purchase considerations in mind:
Where It’s Used
Engineered planks allow the widest widths and best performance for whole-house installation.</b> Solid wood for wide plank works best in select rooms without moisture changes.
- Living rooms, dining rooms, studies
- Bedrooms if climate controlled
- Avoid basements, bathrooms, kitchens
Home Environment
Engineered tolerates more humidity fluctuation making it suitable for wide planks in all home climates.</b> Monitor moisture carefully with solid wide plank installations.
- Humid, coastal regions prone to moisture issues
- Dry climates still require maintenance of 40-60% indoor humidity
Supplemental humidification/dehumidification may be needed for solid wood to prevent damage.
Subfloor Type
Wide planks show any subfloor irregularities, so the substrate flatness and integrity is vital.
- Concrete slabs require grinding high spots and filling low spots to flatten
- Wood subfloors must be stiffened with additional boards if needed to prevent flexing
Inspect and address subfloor carefully, amplifying any prep work for best wide plank stability.
Aesthetic Goals
If a true solid wood look is desired, engineered wide planks may show some visual differences from solid wood:
- Repeating grain patterns visible on engineered veneer vs. solid wood
- Consistent coloration and flawless appearance on engineered vs. natural solid wood variations
If a “perfect” floor is the goal, engineered is preferred. Solid wood has inherent color changes over time. By weighing all these factors, homeowners can determine if engineered or solid construction makes the most sense for their wide plank flooring project.
FAQ About Availability of Wide Plank Hardwood
Homeowners researching wide plank hardwood likely have some common questions around availability between solid and engineered options. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What’s the maximum width I can get in solid vs. engineered wood?
For solid wood, the maximum width is typically around 7 inches. Some exotic species or custom mills offer solid planks up to 9 or 10 inches wide, but over 7” is less common.
Engineered wide planks can be ordered in custom widths over 11 inches. Some specialty mills offer engineered planks up to 16 inches wide. The engineered structure allows reliable widths beyond solid wood’s limits.
What species should I choose for the widest planks?
For solid wood, domestic oak, maple, hickory provide the widest planks up to 7 inches. Exotic woods like Brazilian cherry or African mahogany allow up to 9” width.
Engineered construction allows almost any species to be made into wider planks. Traditional oak and hickory are available wide, along with more expensive exotics like acacia, Brazilian cherry, and sapele which are striking in wide widths.
Can I install really wide planks myself?
Planks over 7” wide, especially over 10” wide, require professional installation. The special equipment and techniques like flat-lining and power-nailing can be difficult for DIYers to rent or execute properly.
Leaving 1/2” expansion space on 11” planks requires meticulous precision. Hire a National Wood Flooring Association certified professional for best results with extra wide engineered planks.
How much more do wide width planks cost?
As a rule of thumb, add about $1-2 per square foot for each additional inch of width. So 6” planks would be $1-2 more per square foot than 5” planks. Over 7” or 8” width, costs increase more rapidly with each inch wider.Also consider that longer boards generally accompany wider planks. A 10” wide plank in 6’ length costs approximately 30-50% more than 3’ length boards of the same species and grade.
Are wider planks more prone to problems?
In general, yes – wider planks mean wider spaces between boards so any wood movement is more visible. Cupping across the grain shows more on a 10” plank vs. a 5” plank.
Filling those gaps becomes more difficult with thicker planks. Heavy furniture can dent the flooring through the finish easier with less underlying support. Take extra care preparing the subfloor and controlling humidity with wider planks. Consider engineered construction for enhanced stability.
With realistic expectations of cost, installation considerations, and performance differences, wide plank floors can create a beautiful, distinctive look in homes. Carefully weighing solid vs. engineered construction options allows homeowners to play with width while setting their floors up for success.
