Wide Plank Hardwood Floors: The Stunning 7-Inch Plus Trend That’s Transforming Modern Homes
Wide plank hardwood flooring has emerged as one of the most sought-after trends in interior design, with homeowners increasingly choosing boards 7 inches and wider to create dramatic, luxurious spaces. These super-wide planks create a striking visual impact and allow the natural beauty of the wood grain to take center stage, with wide plank hardwood floors experiencing a resurgence in popularity in 2025. This trend represents more than just aesthetics—it’s a return to the historical roots of American flooring while embracing modern manufacturing techniques.
The Rise of Wide Plank Flooring
Wide plank hardwood floors are made from boards that are at least 6 inches wide, although they are usually much wider, with boards often 6″, 7″, 8″ or even up to 10″–12″+ wide in some products. Wider plank flooring has seen a dramatic increase in use since the great recession, along with longer length material becoming more the norm. The appeal lies in their ability to showcase the wood’s natural character more prominently than traditional narrow planks.
One of the main appeals of wide plank flooring is its ability to create an illusion of more space. In smaller rooms or apartments, wider planks can make the area feel larger and more open. In larger spaces, they provide a sense of grandeur and luxury. This versatility has made wide planks increasingly popular among interior designers working on projects ranging from urban lofts to suburban homes.
Key Benefits of 7-Inch Plus Boards
Visual Impact and Continuity: Wide plank flooring creates visual continuity in a space due to the wide boards and long lengths. The result is a flooring that is less busy and provides a nice flow to any space. Wide plank hardwood helps to reduce the number of seams on your floor, which creates a more continuous, flowing look. This makes the space feel more open and cohesive.
Enhanced Wood Grain Display: Because each plank covers more surface area, you get a more dramatic display of the wood’s natural grain, knots, and unique character. Whether you’re drawn to the smooth, clean lines of white oak flooring or prefer a more rustic, textured finish, wide planks enhance the beauty of the wood itself.
Faster Installation Potential: Each wide plank covers more area than a narrow plank, so in theory, fewer boards need to be laid to complete the floor. For example, a 7″ plank is like laying two 3½″ boards at once. This can translate to quicker hardwood floor installation times and slightly lower labor needs.
Installation Challenges of Wide Plank Flooring
While wide plank floors offer stunning aesthetics, they present unique installation challenges that require professional expertise. For homeowners seeking quality Hardwood Flooring Suffolk County NY installation, understanding these challenges is crucial for making informed decisions.
Moisture and Movement Concerns: Plain sawn wide plank floors are more prone to moving in response to relative humidity changes, with wide planks being more prone to noticeable cupping and gapping than thinner planks. Wide hardwood planks typically include entire cross-sections of a tree and must be flatsawn to produce more width per plank. Since these wider boards naturally include wood taken from the area nearest to the center, the outer edge of the plank will contain wood that moves differently than the inner section.
Specialized Installation Techniques: Installing wide plank floors is trickier than installing narrower hardwood. Wider boards are more prone to issues like bending or gaps if not perfectly flat, so professional installers take extra steps. Typically, the boards are both nailed and glued down for stability. The glue-down helps prevent the wide planks from cupping or shifting, while nails hold them in place.
Proper Acclimation Requirements: Acclimation is a valuable step in the process of installing a new wide plank floor, with accurate readings of the moisture content in the floor planks and subfloor essential to ensure that conditions are ideal for installation. Relative humidity in the room should be between 35 and 55 percent, with the year average of 50 percent usually being the ideal level.
Fastening Considerations: Professional installation requires 2″ cleats, 1-2″ from the board ends, and 4-6″ apart with a minimum 4 cleats per piece. The Ontario Building Code requires cleats be used in all floors with a width of 4″ or greater. Allow 3/4″ on the width and 1/4″ on the length for expansion.
Cost Considerations
Wide plank flooring represents a premium investment. The price of wide plank hardwood flooring tends to be higher due to needing bigger logs to produce the boards, as well as the lumber is more scarce than what is used to make narrower boards. Generally, wide plank hardwood starts at $15 per square foot. Standard 2-3″ oak might run $3–$7 per sq ft for materials, while wide plank hardwood in oak could be anywhere from around $8–$15 per sq ft for engineered planks and $15–$25+ per sq ft for very wide, solid planks. Exotic woods or premium finishes can push it even higher, with newly manufactured solid wide planks being among the most expensive wood flooring options on the market.
Professional Installation is Essential
Despite the fact that manufacturers have been making wide plank floors for decades, there are some installers who may not feel comfortable with wide plank flooring or may not be familiar with the best installation methods. Wide planks aren’t forgiving. If they’re not installed correctly, problems like movement, uneven spacing, and visible warping can show up quickly.
For Suffolk County homeowners, working with experienced professionals like Hampton’s Carpet One ensures proper installation techniques that address the unique challenges of wide plank flooring. Their expertise in handling moisture control, proper fastening methods, and subfloor preparation helps prevent common issues that can arise with DIY or inexperienced installation.
Current Market Trends
Today’s hardwood flooring trends show brownish to darker stained products selling quite well in northern states, while the popularity of greige and beige browns are seeing good demand along coastal areas or warmer regions. Mixed width planks and pattern play are gaining prominence, with this trend encouraging creativity by combining various plank widths within the same installation, resulting in a visually dynamic and eclectic floor.
Some people worry that wide planks are a trend that might go out of style. The consensus from both experts and experienced homeowners is that wood floors in general are timeless. In fact, very wide planks are as old as wood flooring itself, with centuries-old houses still featuring their original wide plank floors—proving they stand the test of time.
Wide plank hardwood flooring represents a perfect marriage of historical authenticity and modern sophistication. While the 7-inch plus boards present installation challenges that require professional expertise, the stunning visual impact and timeless appeal make them an excellent investment for discerning homeowners. When properly installed and maintained, these floors provide decades of beauty and can significantly enhance a home’s value and aesthetic appeal.