Are you researching hardwood flooring for your home? If so, one important question you might have is how thick a hardwood floor should be. We’re here to answer many questions you might have about hardwood flooring.
Standard Thickness Of Hardwood Flooring
The “standard” thickness of a hardwood floor is between ½ and ¾ inches. However, it can be up to 1 inch thick. Thicker planks are very uncommon in the United States. The reason for this is so that homeowners can install it on top of an existing floor.
The ¾ inch thickness works best over a concrete slab, and ½ inch thickness is ideal for installation over plywood subflooring. If you plan to install hardwood flooring over an existing one, and your old floor is less than ¼ inches thick, you should remove the old floor before installing new planks.
Always be sure to keep in mind is that flooring that is too thin is very susceptible to breaking, but in most cases, floors that are thicker than ½ an inch are not suitable for installation on second-floor homes or buildings.
What To Consider When Selecting Hardwood Thickness
The thicker the hardwood floor, generally, the pricier it will be. Wood that is 1 inch thick, not surprisingly, can cost up to twice as much as wood that is ½ inch thick. If you have a smaller budget, consider going with ½ an inch for your flooring to meet the standard without emptying your savings account.
The thickness of hardwood floors can vary from planks 3-5 inches wide and over 12 feet long down to 1x3s. This plank size is three inches wide and three feet long. Keep the type of hardwood in mind when selecting a thickness, as well. For example, you can use a thicker plank with a deeper groove to cover up scratches in a thinner one.
Different Types Of Wood Require Different Thickness
The type of wood you’re considering can also affect the thickness you need to purchase. For instance, if you’re thinking red oak flooring, it might be better for your budget to go with a ¾ inch thickness rather than a 1 ½. Red oak is a denser wood that can take a thicker floor.
Cherry hardwood floors are another type of dense wood that can sustain a thicker floor. For maple or bamboo, you might want to stick with ½ inch thickness.
Caring For Hardwood Flooring
In addition to thickness, hardwood flooring can also vary quit a bit in cost with many options. Check out our article, “What is the most affordable hardwood flooring.” Regardless of the type of hardwood flooring and thickness you choose, it’s a good idea to have a hardwood floor installed by a professional. If you need more information on which thickness is best for your budget and situation, contact Carpet Outlets of Texas today!