I have 3 1/2" boards (large house). I think the larger boards are more casual. So I guess it depends on the look you want. Also, 5" boards are more likely to result in gaps.

what kind of flooring is it? Some types of woods are prone to cupping and movement with the wider planks.

When I was considering 5" amendoim, the salesman said that he installed for many years and he did not rec over 4" width. Another salesman said it depends on the type of wood, but he rec that 5" planks also be glued down.

As far as aesthetics--for me personally, I like the exotics in the wider planks (braz cherry, santos mahahany). I like oak in a smaller width--3 1/4. I am getting white oak in 3 1/4 width. It will go in an open concept living/dining room, hallway and bedroom which total 700 sq feet.

good luck!

I replaced all my floors (carpeted & vinyl) with on-site finished hardwood 5 years ago. As I was deliberating about 3.25" v 5" width, the owner advised that 3.25" would be better because of our changing seasons - we have 4 seasons. Over the 30 years he has been in business, he has learned that 5" width hard woods tend to "warp" much more.....caused by the expanding/contracting from summer to winter. Not sure if it's warping or cupping or what...but he definitely thought I would not be happy with the way the 5" held up over the course of a year.

That sealed it for me. I went with the 3.25" width, and 5 years later, I still love my floors.

I'm going to take your comments to the flooring store and talk to them further about this. Ours is definitely a casual home, so in that regard we're okay.

I'm enclosing a link to the flooring....it's hickory, so it's pretty hard. I don't know if it would be susceptible to warping. It can be floated or glued. The thing is, it only comes in 3" and 5". I wish it came in 3.25". 3 looks a little too narrow for my taste.

I have had a horrible time finding a flooring that both my husband and I like. We don't like too yellow or too red, or too dark. I love some walnut floors I've seen, but they're too soft of a wood, from what I hear. I wouldn't want anything darker than the sample I'm enclosing below. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears! :-)

Thanks for your help with this!

Here is a link that might be useful: Flooring possibility

My home has site finished red oak floors and the installer alternated the narrow and wider boards for the original owner (built in 1982). The floors are gorgeous and I honestly NEVER noticed the unusual installation until I had them refinished in 2002. Everyone, literally everyone, who walks in this house comments on how beautiful the floors are. Just another idea for you.

Our flooring company recommended engineered hardwood if going with wider planks because of warping, cupping, etc. We have 3-1/4" oak, but I love wider planks and might have gone that route if it would have been in our budget. I also love Olychick's suggestion of random widths. LOVE that look!

I failed to mention in my original post that the wood we're considering is an engineered wood, so I don't think warping or cupping would be a problem. ?? But what are your thoughts on that? Do most of you have solid wood? We live in Indiana where we have drastic cold/hot temperature variations, and I don't want to see gaps in my wood floors. But I prefer the idea of solid wood for long-term care and refinishing.

Aside from that issue, I'm still grappling with what would LOOK best! This is a small simple little house, and after coming from a big rather grand house, I think I'm trying to make the smaller house feel really 'grand' too. :-) I want something to distinguish it...a classy look. But maybe I should do that through the furnishings and decorating rather than the floor. Sometimes I try too hard to be 'different' or unique.....that isn't always the best approach. Do you understand what I mean?

:-) Thanks for any advice!

Fidleddd, FWIW, we're in Indiana and have solid hardwood. I do get what you mean about trying to be unique. That's another reason to go with the random widths, IMO!

im interested in installing wide plank white oak. Random 6" -8" or 8"-10". Open concept small home...any advise on size and finish? Should I expect warping? Does the finish help prevent the warping? Fumeing and oil. No polyurethane or varnish top coat. Thank you

Warping? It more about environmental conditions inside and out, and even under. If you have all the bases covered. Finishes have no effect. Of course engineered is a far better alternative, but I'm guessing you knew that already with 8 and ten inch mentioned.

Thick engineered floors

Ken Fisher

My DH & I installed 3", 4" and 5" solid white oak throughout our home, with the exception of kitchen, foyer and mud/laundry room. It is over hydronic radiant floor heat. It was site finished and we've had nothing but compliments. No problems with cupping/opening of the seams in winter

We have just moved in our new build 4 months ago and have 6" engineered distressed hickory, everywhere but the bedrooms (carpet) and baths and mud room (tile). It's a casual look and everyone compliments the flooring, even repairmen and other service people who come in for various reasons.