The Pros and Cons of Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring is a timeless choice. It’s durable, elegant, and adds value to any home. But in recent years, there’s been growing interest in a specific style: wide plank hardwood flooring.

It’s bold, modern, and hard to ignore. But is it right for your home?

At LV Hardwood Flooring, we help homeowners across Toronto make smart flooring choices, ones that balance style, budget, and long-term satisfaction. If you’re thinking about wide plank hardwood, this guide breaks down the real pros and cons to help you decide if it’s a good fit.

What Is Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring?

Wide plank flooring is exactly what it sounds like: hardwood boards that are wider than standard planks. While traditional planks are often 2¼ to 3¼ inches wide, wide planks typically range from 5 to 12 inches, with 7-inch widths being very common.

This broader width means fewer seams across your floor and a more expansive look, something that’s increasingly popular in modern and upscale homes.

Pros of Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring

Let’s start with the benefits. Here’s why so many people are choosing wide plank hardwood for their spaces.

1. Striking Visual Appeal

Wide planks instantly change how a room looks. The broader boards create a cleaner, more open appearance. With fewer seams, the floor feels smoother and more continuous.

This works especially well in:

Open-concept homes
Modern designs
Cottages and farmhouses
Homes aiming for a premium or custom-built feel

The grain and texture of the wood also show more clearly, adding visual depth and natural character to your space.

2. Fewer Seams, More Character

Standard planks involve more seams and joints. Wide planks reduce those lines, creating a more streamlined and cohesive surface. This allows the beauty of the wood to stand out, especially in species like white oak, maple, and walnut.

Because each board covers more area, you also get to appreciate the full variation in the wood’s grain and colour, giving your floor a more authentic and natural feel.

3. Works Well in Large or Open Rooms

Wide plank floors shine in larger spaces. They draw the eye outward, making the room feel even bigger. If you have an open floor plan or are working with generous square footage, wide planks complement that openness with a sense of flow and luxury.

4. Fewer Pieces, Quicker Coverage

With fewer boards needed to cover the same area, wide plank flooring can mean a faster installation process—if it’s being handled by experienced professionals. At LV Hardwood Flooring, our expert team knows how to work with these boards to ensure a tight, seamless fit.

5. Versatility in Finish and Style

Wide planks come in all the same species and finishes as standard hardwood: matte, glossy, hand-scraped, brushed, stained, or natural. Whether you want a rustic look or a sleek modern vibe, there’s a wide plank option to match your design goals.

stylish designed wide plank hardwood flooring

Cons of Wide Plank Hardwood Flooring

While the benefits are clear, wide plank flooring also has its challenges. It’s not the right choice for every space or budget.

1. Higher Upfront Cost

Wide plank boards tend to cost more than standard-width planks. Why?

They use more of the log to produce each board
Higher-grade lumber is often required
There’s more waste during manufacturing due to stricter quality control

So while you’re getting a premium product, it may require a larger investment.

2. Expansion and Contraction

All wood expands and contracts with changes in temperature and humidity. But wider planks are more affected by these shifts.

In a home with high humidity swings—or one without proper climate control—you may see:

Visible gaps during dry seasons
Slight cupping or crowning if moisture builds unevenly

This is why professional installation matters. At LV Hardwood Flooring, we assess your subfloor, room conditions, and layout before installing wide planks to minimize these risks.

3. May Not Suit Smaller Rooms

In smaller rooms, wide planks can sometimes feel overwhelming or make the space appear more cramped. They might not work well in tight hallways or compact bedrooms where proportion matters.

That’s why we recommend visiting our Toronto showroom to see different sizes in person. It helps you visualize what will actually work in your space.

4. Requires Skilled Installation

Wide planks aren’t forgiving. If they’re not installed correctly, problems like movement, uneven spacing, and visible warping can show up quickly.

You need experienced installers who know how to:

Acclimate the boards before installation
Choose the right nailing or gluing method
Leave appropriate spacing for expansion

At LV Hardwood Flooring, our team specializes in hardwood installation. We’ve installed wide planks in everything from condos to estate homes, always ensuring stability and long-term performance.

Is Wide Plank Hardwood Right for You?

It depends on your priorities. Here are a few things to consider:

Go for wide planks if:

You love bold, modern, or rustic design
Your space is large, open, and well-lit
You have a climate-controlled home (especially with hardwood-friendly HVAC)
You’re willing to invest a bit more for standout results
You want to showcase natural wood grain and fewer seams

Consider other options if:

You’re working with a tight budget
Your home sees extreme humidity shifts
You have smaller rooms where proportion matters
You’re DIY-ing the installation (not recommended with wide planks)

In these cases, engineered hardwood flooring offers the same timeless look as solid wood but with added stability, making it a smart alternative for moisture-prone areas or lower floors.

Still unsure? Talk to one of our flooring specialists. We’ll help you compare options and see samples in person.

wide plank design for small space

Why Choose LV Hardwood Flooring

At LV Flooring, we carry a wide range of wide plank hardwood options in different species, finishes, and price points. But we don’t just sell floors, we help you make informed decisions.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Expert advice: We listen to your goals and help you choose the right material for your home.
Toronto showroom: Come see the difference between wide and standard planks for yourself.
Professional installation: Our team handles even the most complex wide plank projects with care and precision.
Refinishing services: Over time, we can help restore your floors to like-new condition.
Real results: We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners across the GTA transform their spaces with flooring that lasts.

Wide plank flooring isn’t just about following trends—it’s about creating a space that feels intentional, high-quality, and truly yours.

Making the Right Choice for Your Floors

Wide plank hardwood flooring is bold, elegant, and timeless. But it also requires the right conditions, the right installation, and the right planning.

If you’re looking to elevate your home with natural beauty and lasting impact, wide planks could be the perfect fit.

Visit LV Hardwood Flooring in Toronto or book a consultation to explore your options. Whether you go wide or standard, we’ll help you find a floor you’ll love living on for years to come.

Pros and Cons of Wide Plank