Board Width and Layout Options for Hardwood Floors

Finding the appropriate hardwood floors for one’s house can cause many to hold their breath, but the pressure begins to ease once they have a sample in hand. What are you planning to do with all of that timber, though? You’ve certainly considered the wood species and stain, as these have the most noticeable effects on the room’s aesthetic, but have you also felt the board width, the installation pattern, or any decorative touches…?

Calm down. Don’t let go of the hardwood swatch while you explore your choices. What you want is more apparent than you gave yourself credit for.

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Plank size:

Strip boards are narrower than plank boards but are considered board widths. A plank can be as comprehensive as 7 inches or more and is typically more expansive than a strip, less than 3 inches.

Strip flooring can achieve almost any aesthetic with the correct species, stain, installation pattern, and furnishings. Like a mirror or light paint colors, strip flooring provides a flowing, linear appearance that makes a room seem bigger. If you choose a uniformly colored select-grade hardwood, this is an excellent option if you’re going for a modern aesthetic in the room. It is the standard for both commercial and residential flooring.

It’s best to go with plank flooring’s wider boards when going for a more rustic or country aesthetic. Similar to the last option, this one also produces a linear effect in the room, albeit less expansive due to the narrower planks used. Pine flooring has long been associated with rustic or colonial-style architecture, but recently, its beauty has been recognized by modern designers as well.

Layouts for putting in:

The appearance of the finished project depends not only on the type of wood used but also on the installation method. It will affect how things are placed in the room, and people move around. There aren’t many choices, but the ones available are very distinct from one another.

Straight is the most fundamental and typical layout for an installation. The room’s length or width is covered in parallel rows of wood planks. This pattern lets the natural beauty of wood flooring shine through without any unnecessary embellishment, making it ideal for minimalist, modern designs. Due to its simplicity, this installation method is also the cheapest option. Extra wood and more time spent installing make all other plans prohibitively expensive.

The flooring in a random installation is laid out in a straightforward, parallel fashion, but the planks are of different sizes. You get to decide how many boxes of each width you need, what ratio of wide to narrow boards you want to use, and what widths you want. As a bonus, you may be able to save money by purchasing unsold boxes from older, canceled series. The vibrant and lively vibe that these patterns bring to a room is often the result of their use in a rural setting.

Installing in a diagonal pattern gives a room an air of sophistication without deviating too far from the norm or increasing the total renovation cost. During installation, boards are placed parallel but at a 45-degree angle to the walls.

Installation of parquet flooring patterns is slowly becoming a lost skill. Parquet flooring is created by putting wood in a repetitive geometric way, similar to a checkerboard, but frequently with more intricate designs within each square. The potential combination of patterns is virtually endless. The pattern is so unique and elegant it brings to mind the splendor of old Europe. The installation of traditional parquet is unusual and costly. In its place are veneered wood square modules that seem like parquet but are manufactured.

Herringbone flooring features planks of wood spread out in a zigzag pattern on the diagonal, hence the name. You can lay it out in a conventional fashion or use square modules like in parquet designs. It makes the room look more sophisticated, like a museum or an antique European apartment.

A perimeter border or other decorative accents, such as mosaics, can enhance or complete any of the above installation patterns. Wood, stone, and man-made materials like glass and metal tiles are all viable options. The border around the room’s outer edge distinguishes between the interior and exterior and lends an air of formality to the setting. Mosaic inlays provide a space with a sense of personalization and timeless elegance but also give you creative freedom regarding the mosaic medallion or decorative border you choose to install.

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linda