Timber floors have long been the prime choice for homeowners and designers due to their durability and style. With a wide range of timbers available on the market today, the average homeowner can get overwhelmed with all the choices they need to make before they find their perfect flooring. But aside from the type of timber, or even the colour, there’s one other aspect that needs considering: the shapes and sizes of your timber planks.
See, timber floors come in a broad range of plank shapes and sizes, and the width and length of hardwood planks contribute significantly to how the timber flooring changes the look and feel of the overall space. Simply put, the size of the plank can highlight aspects of the room, which can be both good or bad depending on how you choose the sizes. Don’t underestimate just how the dimensions of these planks can make or break the look and feel of your space, depending on what aesthetic you’re going for!
While standard plank widths are popular for their versatility, narrow planks and wide planks have their own benefits, too, from style to budget requirements. This guide is everything you need to know about wide and narrow timber planks, so you know what suits your home the best.
Wide Planks
Wide planks have long been a popular choice for homeowners wanting a rustic feel in their homes. Historically, they’ve been used for cabin and farm home interiors as a classic and unquestionably sophisticated style harkening back to the olden days without looking dated in modern times.
Nowadays, we see a lot of wide planks in timber flooring used for minimalistic and ultra-modern designs, and this is because wide planks are the best at reducing the number of gaps in the floor because of its width. It’s also great in small interiors when you want to create the illusion of a bigger space.
Narrow Planks
After sleek and sophisticated for your interiors? Narrow planks by timber flooring installation Melbourne experts might be just the thing!
Ranging from 5” to 10” wide, narrow planks are most traditionally used for parquet flooring. Recent years have seen a come back of this style of timber flooring, and when used in classic settings it creates a beautiful, elongated look of elegance no matter the size of the room.
Mixed Widths
Can’t decide and want something really unique? Mixing and matching different width planks may be the way to go. Not only is it proven to be more affordable than other options, it also evokes a whimsical, artsy look that’s sure to elevate the interiors of your home.
How To Choose Your Perfect Width
Room Size
Always keep your room sizes, and room shapes, in mind when trying to think of flooring styles. The size and shape lets you know what you can use, and what you shouldn’t be considering, if you’re after a coherent space. How do you want your rooms to look? Airy and spacious? Perhaps you want streamlined decor but want the flooring to do all the talking for the room. Or maybe you want a little bit of both, but are not quite sure how to do it because of a strangely shaped space. Ultimately, your interiors, your personal preferences, and your chosen interior design style should play a role in how you end up with your perfect plank width.
Small Rooms
For cramped spaces that you want to look bigger, light coloured wide planks with a glossy finish not only reflects the room’s natural light, it also catches the eye. This works because lighter woods make the room seem more open. For narrow rooms, wide boards laid perpendicular to the long side of the room can also make the space appear larger and wider, too.
When looking for floor installation options for wide planks, make sure to find installers that offer a range of wide plank widths. Wider plank widths present bold elegance and provide a grand look, and you’ll find that each plank will tell its own story in the grains and knots, adding character to your space.
As for narrow planks: because narrow floorboards have a thinner look, using them in small rooms creates the illusion of longer, more formal spaces. Be mindful, however: small spaces may have a tendency to look busier with narrow planks as compared to wide planks. This is because narrow width planks being installed means that there will be more lines and joins on the floor, especially since more timber boards are required to fill the room.
In general, for simply decorated rooms such as minimalistic interiors or Scandinavian inspired aesthetics, you may be able to create a statement floor by installing narrow planks, adding texture to the room without making it too busy. Otherwise, you might have to choose a different option.
It can be a fine line between artsy and inharmonious, so be careful with mixed width planks in cramped rooms. It’s usually not recommended to use mixed widths in small spaces.
Larger Rooms
Wide planks aren’t just for small spaces. For large, open areas, wide planks create a grand appeal that evokes images of large ballrooms, beautiful palaces, and old-time elegance. This striking look is definitely one for the glamorous homeowner.
Larger rooms are the most versatile in terms of trying to choose the right plank width. Narrow boards can be used to great effect if you’re wanting a traditional look, especially since narrow boards were often used in formal settings in previous eras.
Still wanting something more unique? Large rooms match easily with mixed width flooring, accommodating both narrow and wide wooden floorboards without looking too busy or mismatched. It gives a nice illusion of space and uniqueness to any room. So if you’ve got a large area, the multi-toned flooring with a mix of floorboard widths adds beautiful depth and texture to the space if done well.
Cost
In general, wider planks cost more than narrow wooden flooring. Think of it this way: wider planks mean that less flooring can be cut from the wood. This leads to more wastage, and higher manufacturing costs as compared to narrow planks, where more of the wood can be used. However, wider planks take less time to fit, especially when you’re looking to hire a reputable floor installation company. This might actually help you save on installation costs, so it’s up to you to figure out what best suits your budget and design needs.