What is Plank Hardwood Flooring? (5 Benefits You Need to Know)

I always say to friends and clients that choosing the right flooring is like picking the foundation for your entire home’s style and comfort. If you want something that balances timeless beauty with durability, plank hardwood flooring often turns out to be the best option. It’s a choice that keeps paying off year after year, both in looks and in lasting value. But what exactly is plank hardwood flooring? And why do I keep recommending it over and over?

Let me walk you through everything—from the basics to the nitty-gritty technical details, manufacturing secrets, and even some stories from my years working as a flooring contractor. By the end, you’ll know why plank hardwood flooring is a favorite among homeowners and pros alike.

What Is Plank Hardwood Flooring?

When someone asks me, “What is plank hardwood flooring?” I like to keep it straightforward: it’s flooring made from wide, long strips of solid wood. These strips—called planks—are usually thicker and wider than narrow strip flooring or traditional parquet patterns. Typically, plank widths range anywhere from 3 inches up to 8 or even 10 inches for some specialty options. Length-wise, planks can be anywhere from 2 feet to sometimes over 7 feet long.

The key here is that these boards are solid wood, not engineered layers or laminates. This means they come straight from hardwood trees like oak, maple, hickory, or walnut and keep their natural grain and beauty intact.

How Are Plank Hardwood Floors Made?

Understanding the manufacturing process gives you a better appreciation for the craftsmanship involved:

1. Log Selection: It starts with choosing high-grade logs free from defects such as knots or cracks. The species chosen also affects everything from color to hardness.
2. Cutting (Sawing): Logs are cut into boards using methods like:
   • Plain Sawing: The most common method; produces a variety of grain patterns but can lead to more cupping over time.
   • Quarter Sawing: Boards are cut at an angle to the growth rings, resulting in straighter, tighter grain and increased stability.
3. Kiln Drying: This step is vital—boards are dried in controlled kilns to reduce moisture content down to about 6-9%. Too much moisture in wood leads to warping once installed.
4. Planing & Sanding: The surfaces are smoothed for a uniform finish.
5. Finishing: Many planks arrive pre-finished with protective coats like polyurethane or oil-based finishes applied at the factory for consistency and durability.
6. Quality Control: Each plank goes through inspection to ensure it meets standards before packaging.

Why Does Plank Size Matter?

You might wonder why plank floors are wider and longer compared to strip flooring. The size impacts both aesthetics and performance:

• Visual Impact: Wider planks showcase more dramatic wood grain patterns which add warmth and character.
• Fewer Seams: Longer planks mean fewer joints across the floor surface, lending a cleaner look.
• Installation Complexity: Larger planks can be trickier to install perfectly flat but give a more substantial feel underfoot.

Over time, wider planks have become popular because they offer a balance between rustic charm and modern sleekness.

My Journey with Plank Hardwood Flooring

I’ve been installing hardwood floors for over 15 years, and plank flooring has been a consistent favorite with my clients. I remember one particular job that helped me see why plank hardwood floors stand out so much.

A couple bought a 1920s craftsman-style home and wanted to restore the floors to match the original look without compromising on modern durability. After inspecting the old narrow boards—which had suffered water damage—we decided on 6-inch wide quarter sawn white oak planks. This choice combined period authenticity with enhanced stability.

During installation, the long planks required careful acclimation in the home for two weeks to adjust to indoor humidity levels—a step I always emphasize to avoid shrinkage or gaps later. Once installed, the floor completely transformed the rooms: they felt warmer, bigger, and more inviting.

The family often tells me how much they love walking barefoot across those floors—the smooth texture and visible grain make their home feel connected to nature.

The Benefits of Plank Hardwood Flooring: What You Should Know

1. Timeless Beauty That Fits Any Style

One of my favorite things about plank hardwood floors is how they blend seamlessly across different design tastes. Whether your style is rustic farmhouse, modern minimalist, or classic traditional, these floors fit right in.

The wide surface area of each plank lets the natural wood colors and grain patterns shine through more dramatically than narrow strips do. For example:

• Oak planks bring warm honey tones.
• Walnut offers rich chocolate hues.
• Maple provides lighter cream shades perfect for bright spaces.

According to a study by Houzz, over 70% of homeowners cited hardwood flooring as their preferred choice for its natural look and feel. The wide planks amplify this effect by creating a continuous flow that feels organic rather than busy.

Plus, because each board is unique with knots, color variations, and grain lines, your floor will be truly one-of-a-kind.

2. Built to Last: Durability You Can Count On

When I explain durability to customers, I often use this example: plank hardwood floors can be sanded and refinished multiple times—sometimes up to six times or more—because they’re thick solid wood.

Most standard planks have around 3/4 inch thickness (19mm), which allows this deep sanding without compromising structural integrity.

Compare that with engineered hardwood or laminate floors which generally can only be refinished once or twice if at all—or not at all in laminates—and you start seeing where solid plank floors shine for longevity.

In terms of hardness, species matter too:

Hickory is super tough and great for high-traffic areas; walnut is softer but prized for its beauty.

On a recent project in a busy family home with kids and pets, we installed hickory plank floors finished with aluminum oxide coating, which provided extra scratch resistance. Two years later, they still looked fantastic with just regular sweeping and occasional mopping.

3. Improved Stability Through Manufacturing Techniques

Wood flooring expands and contracts naturally with changes in humidity. That’s why drying methods like kiln drying are essential before installation.

I pay close attention to moisture content when sourcing planks—ideally between 6-9%. Too much moisture means boards can warp or cup after installation; too dry can cause cracking.

Quarter sawn planks also help reduce movement because of their grain orientation. According to research by the Forest Products Laboratory:

• Quarter sawn boards show up to 40% less width expansion than plain sawn boards under humidity changes.
• They also resist warping better due to tighter grain structure.

Choosing quarter sawn oak for a coastal home with high humidity saved my client countless headaches dealing with floor gaps during humid summers.

4. Adds Real Value to Your Property

If you ever plan on selling your home or just want a smart investment, hardwood flooring is one of those upgrades that pays off significantly.

The National Association of Realtors found homes with hardwood floors sell faster—often within two weeks—and typically get offers 2-5% higher than comparable listings without them.

Plank hardwood floors stand out even more because they look substantial and high-quality compared to thinner strips or cheaper laminate alternatives.

In one case study I worked on with a local realtor, we installed wide plank oak flooring in a mid-century modern home before putting it on the market. The house received over ten offers within days and sold for nearly $20K above asking price.

5. Versatility That Adapts Over Time

One misconception I’ve encountered is that plank hardwood floors are only for rustic or traditional settings. That couldn’t be further from the truth.

Depending on species choice, finish type, plank width, and even installation pattern (straight lay vs diagonal), these floors can complement any décor:

• Light-stained maple for clean contemporary looks.
• Dark walnut with matte finish for urban sophistication.
• Distressed oak for cozy cabin vibes.
• Mixed-width planks for eclectic designs.

Also worth noting: plank hardwood floors work well with radiant heating systems when properly installed—a bonus if you live somewhere cold!

Technical Specs & Details You Should Pay Attention To

Here’s an expanded look at specifications that matter when shopping or planning your plank hardwood floor:

What About Installation?

Plank hardwood flooring can be installed via:

• Nail-down: Most common on wood subfloors; provides solid feel.
• Glue-down: Used on concrete slabs or where nails aren’t possible.
• Floating: Less common with solid planks due to thickness but possible in engineered variants.

Installation requires acclimating wood planks inside your home for at least a week or two so they adjust to local humidity—skipping this step risks gaps or buckling later on.

Manufacturing Insights Worth Knowing

Some manufacturers invest heavily in advanced drying chambers that cycle temperature and humidity carefully over days or weeks—much more precise than traditional kilns. This process stabilizes wood further before shipping it out.

Others offer hand-scraped or wire-brushed textures on plank surfaces before finishing. This adds depth and hides minor scratches better over time—a feature I’ve recommended often for busy households.

Custom stain colors have also become mainstream recently; many brands offer dozens of options beyond the usual light/dark brown tones—from grays to reds—to help match any interior palette perfectly.

A Case Study From My Work: Restoring Character in an Old Home

One memorable project was restoring an early 1900s bungalow where the original hardwood was damaged beyond repair due to water leaks over decades. The owners loved the look of wide boards but wanted something modern enough for everyday living.

We sourced reclaimed white oak planks about 7 inches wide from a specialty mill that processes salvaged timber sustainably. Each plank had unique knots and patina—exactly what they wanted for authenticity but still structurally sound after milling and drying.

Installation took longer due to uneven subfloors common in older homes. We used shims beneath some sections while ensuring tight seams elsewhere.

The result? A floor that looked like it belonged there a century ago but performed well under kids’ toys and furniture wheels today. The homeowners were thrilled—and so was I.

What About Maintenance?

One question I get all the time: “How do I keep plank hardwood floors looking great?”

Here’s what I recommend based on experience:

• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove dirt and grit that can scratch.
• Use a damp mop occasionally with a cleaner designed specifically for hardwood.
• Avoid excessive water; wood doesn’t like standing moisture.
• Place felt pads under furniture legs.
• Refinish every 10-15 years depending on wear (possible several times thanks to thickness).

I’ve seen families with kids and pets keep their floors stunning for decades by following these simple steps.

Environmental Impact: Is Plank Hardwood Flooring Sustainable?

Good question! Sustainability matters more than ever when choosing materials.

Many mills now source wood from responsibly managed forests certified by organizations like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council). Also, using reclaimed wood planks reduces demand on new timber completely—plus adds character as shown in my bungalow project example earlier.

Because solid hardwood lasts so long—often over half a century—it reduces waste compared to cheaper floors needing replacement every decade or so.

Final Thoughts From My Toolbox

I’ve seen plenty of flooring trends come and go during my career but plank hardwood flooring remains my go-to recommendation when clients want something classic yet practical.

It’s not just about looks; it’s about durability, comfort underfoot, increased home value, and adaptability across design styles—all backed by solid data and years of hands-on experience.

If you’re considering new flooring for your home or renovation project, think about plank hardwood as an investment that pays dividends over time—not just financially but emotionally too.

Want help figuring out what species or finish suits your lifestyle best? Just ask—I’m always happy to chat about wood floors!

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