Pros and Cons of Installing Long-Length Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood is a timeless flooring option, and the trend continues towards a preference for long-length hardwood. What defines a board as “long” or “short”? The definition is subject to the manufacturer, but for example, Carlisle Wide Plank Floors defines a long-length floor as one containing most planks over 6’ long (75% or more of the floorboards are 6’ or longer). This type of flooring offers unique aesthetic and practical benefits, but due to the size of the boards, it can pose delivery restrictions and installation challenges if you’re not prepared. Let’s explore the advantages and potential drawbacks of installing long planks vs shorter planks, helping you make a well-informed choice.

Pros of Long Length Hardwood Flooring:

• Efficient Installation: Long-length planks mean fewer pieces to handle, speeding up the installation process, especially in large areas. This efficiency can reduce labor costs and lessen home or workplace disruption.

  

• Aesthetic Impact: The continuous flow of long planks can visually enlarge a room and provide a modern, upscale look. The reduced number of seams also contributes to a cleaner, more cohesive appearance, enhancing the overall look of the space.  While longer planks can create a seamless and uninterrupted look, short planks may result in more visible seams and joints, which can detract from the overall aesthetic of the flooring. Instead of the wood tones changing every 6’ or more in a long-length floor, the color shifts every 2’ or so in a short-length floor, creating more of a patchwork feel.
• The advantages of using longer-length planks with fewer seams extend beyond mere aesthetics. The reduced number of seams can contribute to the structural stability of the flooring. Fewer seams mean fewer weak points where planks might separate or shift over time, resulting in a more stable and durable surface.
• Maintenance: Maintenance becomes easier with longer planks. Fewer seams can mean fewer places for dust, dirt, and moisture to accumulate, simplifying cleaning tasks and improving the floor’s hygiene.
• Minimized Waste: Long-length hardwood flooring typically requires fewer cuts during installation, resulting in less waste. This efficiency not only saves materials but also aligns with sustainable building practices.

Cons of Installing Long-Length Hardwood Flooring:

Weight and Handling: Long-length hardwood planks are inherently heavier than shorter ones, posing challenges for transportation and installation. Due to their dimension, these planks are often unsuitable for bundling and thus require hand offloading individual boards versus conveniently bundled or boxed shorter boards. The delivery timeframe can take twice as long with long-length flooring than with boxed flooring due to being limited to carrying a couple of boards at a time. Unloading and moving these large planks can require additional labor and care to avoid damage to the boards or the job site. While the weight of long planks can be a downside during handling, their size can also aid in stability once laid. These larger pieces often lay flatter and are less prone to shifting, resulting in a more stable floor.

Higher Costs: These premium planks usually incur higher costs due to the quality and length of the material. Though pricier, the investment can be justified by the long-term durability and the aesthetic value they add to any project.

Installation Considerations: Despite the quicker installation times, long planks can be cumbersome and more difficult to maneuver, especially in tight spaces or around corners. This might necessitate additional customization and cutting, potentially complicating the installation process.

In conclusion, while the aesthetic benefits of long planks are significant, their practical advantages in durability, maintenance, and installation efficiency should not be overlooked. It takes a little more strategic planning and some time. Still, the initial inconvenience of handling these stunning planks is quickly forgotten with the lifetime spent savoring these floors’ uninterrupted, cohesive beauty. This makes long plank flooring a worthwhile consideration for residential and commercial spaces.