A Guide to Wood Laminate Flooring and Board Width
When it comes to updating your home's floors, wood laminate flooring is a popular choice for good reason. It offers the classic, warm aesthetic of hardwood at a fraction of the cost, along with enhanced durability and easy maintenance.
But beyond the color and style, a key factor that can dramatically influence the look of your space is the width of the laminate planks. Understanding the different options available can help you select the perfect flooring to complement your home's style.
The Appeal of Wood Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is a multi-layered synthetic flooring product that is fused together with a lamination process. It’s designed to look like wood or stone, but it’s a more budget-friendly and practical alternative. The top layer is a high-resolution photographic image of the wood grain, protected by a transparent, scratch-resistant wear layer.
One of the biggest advantages of wood laminate flooring is its versatility. It can be installed in almost any room of the house, from living areas and bedrooms to kitchens and even some bathrooms (if you choose a waterproof variety). It's also incredibly easy to clean and maintain, making it ideal for busy households with kids and pets.
The Importance of Laminate Floor Width
While the color and pattern of your flooring are important, the width of the planks can have an even greater impact on the perceived size and style of a room.
Plank width has become a major trend in flooring design, with a shift away from traditional narrow planks toward wider formats.
Narrow Planks (3-5 inches)
Narrow planks are a timeless and traditional choice. They can create a classic, busy look that works well in smaller, more intimate spaces.
The multitude of seams can make a room feel cozier and more defined. This is a great option if you want to replicate the look of vintage or historic hardwood floors.
Standard Planks (5-7 inches)
This is the most common and versatile width for laminate flooring. It strikes a balance between the classic look of narrow planks and the modern feel of wide planks.
Standard widths work well in a variety of room sizes and design styles, making them a safe and popular choice for many homeowners.
Wide Planks (7 inches and wider)
Wide planks are the modern trend in flooring, and they're here to stay. They create a clean, contemporary look with fewer seams, which makes a room feel more open and expansive.
Wide planks are particularly effective in large, open-concept living spaces where they can highlight the room's scale. The fewer seams also mean less "visual noise," allowing the beautiful wood grain pattern to truly stand out.
Mixed-Width Planks
For a truly custom and unique look, some manufacturers offer mixed-width planks. This design combines planks of different widths, often laid in a random pattern, to create a rustic, authentic feel.
This is a great option for achieving the look of reclaimed or handcrafted hardwood and can add a lot of character to a space.
Talk to the Laminate Flooring Experts at Flooring Attic in Buford, GA
Choosing the right wood laminate flooring is a significant decision that impacts the look and feel of your entire home. While style and color are important, don’t overlook the transformative power of plank width. Whether you prefer the classic elegance of narrow planks or the modern, expansive feel of wide planks, understanding your options will help you select the perfect flooring to elevate your home's interior design.
For expert advice on the best wood laminate flooring for your home, including the latest trends in laminate floor width, contact or visit Flooring Attic. We have a showroom location in Buford, GA. We service the entire Southeast with multiple flooring pick-up locations. Flooring Attic is part of Atlanta Flooring Design Centers.
Established in 1985, The Flooring Attic Outlet is your source for quality flooring products in and around Buford, GA. We offer quality products and excellent service and pricing to the Southeast including Georgia, Florida & Alabama. We are a Top 10 Flooring Retailer in the United States and a premier flooring supplier for new homes throughout the Southeast.