Ours are clear white oak, unstained, 3 1/2" (or 3 1/4, whatever the standard is, I can't remember). I think the 3 1/2" is the new standard. Strip doesn't seem to be used in new construction very often.

I am not a good enough housekeeper to have dark floors. And I have 2 white cats. Dark floors + white cats = bad idea.

I prefer the wide ones when the home is colonial but it's really a personal decision. I like them also because you don't see them so much and that's a plus. Either way you'll be happy. Good luck with your home.

To me, the 3" or 3 1/4" are the perfect width. The 2 1/4" are not shown as much right now (but can still be beautiful), and seem skinny. You are seeing a lot of the wider width like 5", but I chose the 3" because I felt like they weren't too much one way or the other. I also chose them instead of the 5" because of possible cupping issues with changes in humidity (this can happen more with wider boards). Don't get me wrong, I love the wider look, but I thought maybe down the road people will start to go with smaller widths again and then they'd seem wide. Who knows! Bottom line, I don't consider 3" or 3 1/4" wide and would definitley go with that over the 2 1/4".

Oh, and mine are a med. dark (this is the natural color of Braz. Teak). I love the richness. They do show little specks of stuff, but I still love them.

Thanks for the thoughts. Anyone else? I think I really do want to go with 3 inch boards, I just want to justify them to my DH :)

We went with the 3" when we were doing it. We did it DIY and we really wanted to do the 5" but the floor installer that came to measure said anything over 3" should be glued down - well that was our decision there. I am glad that we went with this. Its not too skinny or too wide.

Ruth

kelleg, I grew up in a Colonial and that sounds like the floors we had in our house with some formal rooms but mostly relaxed and tidy house.

polkadots, are your floors slippery? Is the 'fancy' name for them cumaru? They are beautiful.

In our last house, which was colonial, we put 3 1/4 oak floors thru-out the whole first floor. When we were shopping for the wood floor, I don't remember seeing the narrower strips (2 inches?), so that wasn't an option.

I believe colonial houses often had much wider boards than 3 1/4 so that size should be fine for your style of house. 3 1/4 isn't that wide anyway and would probably look appropriate in any style of house. If I had wood floors that is the width I would choose. I think it looks less busy than a narrow width and shows off the wood more.

3+ for us, in the last two houses!

{{!gwi}}

Newhomebuilder, how did you do your foyer? Very pretty.

Thanks for all the responses. I just measured my current planks and they are 2.25. I will definitely look into the 3+ inch ones. I think that is what I want. I appreciate the pictures, though.

Once you go wide you won't go back. It looks stunning and is tradional I think, more so than the skinny planks.

Polkadots, I just love your Brazilian Teak floors. I like the width you chose in your home also. Had the floor darkened a lot since you got it? It looks like it has some red in it or is it my monitor. Your floor is one of the prettiest Brazilian Teak floors I have seen.

Owls4me, yes, cumaru is the real name of this wood. I don't think are any more slippery than any other wood floor. We don't slip on them, but the kids can get a slide going if they want to when running around! We had them site finished with a Swedish finish. Thanks for the compliment.

Lynn, Thanks. My floors have darkened slightly. The B. Teak is not as photosensitive as say the B. Cherry, so they don't have as dramatic of a change. I did take my rugs up to let the floors even out, but I don't think other people really noticed the difference in color unless I pointed it out. I took out all the really red boards when it was being installed because I didn't want red. Sometimes you can see a little red to it, but mostly it is a warm brown color. I am very happy with it. Thanks.

I don't remember if I answered on BAH or not! LOL We went with 4" because we have some fairly large rooms and didn't want the match stick effect. I would have liked to have gone wider, but was worried about the wood cupping. We used 3/4" solid maple and stained it with a 50/50 mix of Early American and poly. It was then followed by several coats of straight poly.

I didn't know how to decide, so I went with 3/4/5 mixed. So, what does that say design-wise? Is it less formal? I am guessing it is...

I really love wide plank floors. We are currently putting some into our upstairs gameroom. We bought engineered wood for practical reasons. Wide planks also go in much faster, of course - a bonus when doing it ones self. Ours are maple with a dark stain, but not super dark. I don't think you should worry about your floors being trendy. I think the floor width and stain you are describing sounds lovely and timeless.
Here's our weekend project:

I replied on the building forum but now I have a pic of our white oak 4 inch hardwood floors.
Our house is very traditional. Hope this helps...
{{gwi:1398122}}

I have cumaru like polkadots but mine are 2.25". My house doesn't have a style. My goal has always been to anti-80's it. I don't think you can go wrong with hardwoods. Light or dark and skinny or wide plank. People will always like them because of the warmth they bring.

Also, to tell the truth I have never noticed the width of boards in houses I have been in. I had to get out the measuring tape to find out before posting.

Thanks polkadots. I am getting the same floor as you and kitchenkelly in 3.25 width for mud room, kitchen and dining area.
Kelleg, take a look at this floor if you haven't chosen one already. See if it is dark enough b/c you just finish it since it is a 'hard' hardwood. I found it to be reasonably priced. It does come in varying widths once you and DH decide on a width.
I love looking through the pictures on this post.

DaisyAdair, I just sent you two emails on your blogsite. I love the stain on your Maple floors and the width so much that you are installing in the game room by that fire place in the picture above. What brand are they? What stain is on the engineered wood and how wide are they? That color appearing on my Monitor I just love and I love the overall look. Thank you so much!

kelleg - The medallion was done in Brazilian cherry.

Lynnn, I posted a new message with the floor information.

Thanks daisyadair for the information on your Maple floors and the new pictures.

all these homes and floors are gorgeous -- but my heart goes out to kitchenkelly's sophisticated, eclectic look. Love it!