Wide plank flooring is more than just a floor; it is real wood flooring that adds a distinctive sense of warmth, comfort, richness and tradition to any home. Most often wide plank flooring is made from reclaimed flooring, planks, boards or even unused old barns.

The appearance of reclaimed flooring or unfinished hardwood flooring is the natural effect of centuries of weathering and symbolizes the skill of traditional craftsmen. It provides unique and genuinely rustic personality to any living or working space.  No other flooring has the history, lasting beauty and value of real wood flooring.  Whether you are aiming to create new standards or restore an existing home to its former splendor; real wood flooring will exceed your requirements.

Installing Wide Plank Flooring

All real wood flooring expands and contracts depending on the season and surrounding humidity. The use of real wood flooring should be avoided if moisture penetration from outside is possible.

When installing wide plank flooring, you have two options:

1. Do-It-Yourself Installation

Many people with basic DIY skills have successfully installed their own wide plank flooring and have considered it a gratifying project.
Before purchasing your wide plank flooring ensure the tongues and grooves fit snugly together without struggling. If you purchased unfinished hardwood flooring, confirm if the surface needs sanding before applying stains and/or topcoats. If yes, this job is best done by an experienced professional.

Tips to bear in mind when choosing the DIY option:

• A helper makes the task much faster and easier
• The DIY approach allows you to choose a superior wide plank flooring grade with the savings
• The time taken to install a 4-inch wide plank floor board is the same for 12-inch widths or more, up to 16 feet long. Each board consumes more space, thus you are installing considerably less boards and dealing with fewer joints Select your favorite planks to place in prominent areas of your home

The tools required will be available in your local hardware and rental stores. In fact you might own many of them already – a rubber hammer, a nailing hammer, a miter or box saw, a glue gun and a pry bar. In addition you will need the glue recommended by your wide plank flooring supplier and a power floor nailer and nails, which you can rent.

2. Professional installation

• Hiring a professional simply saves you time
• It can cost more (as much as the flooring itself), but for those less eager DIY enthusiasts, it may be cheaper than attempting the installation yourself

Installing On Top of Electric Floor Heating

If you’re considering electric floor heating for your home, it’s important to consider the following:

• The myth that wide plank flooring will ultimately twist or cup when installed on top of electric floor heating isn’t necessarily true. The correct wood, suitably cured, will continually adjust to its dynamic environment, remaining flat and stable. Since wood is natural, it breathes and moves.
• The key is to choose quality real wood flooring Remember to turn the electric floor heating system on before installing your wide plank flooring

Installing On Top of Concrete

Concrete is like any other floor, it retains moisture. To successfully install wide plank flooring over concrete follow these three tips:

• Ensure the concrete is dry
• Install a vapor barrier on top of the concrete to protect against seasonal variations
• Only choose wide plank flooring of the highest quality

Caring For Your Real Wood Flooring

Tips to prolonging the life of your timeless wide plank flooring:

- Preserve real wood flooring by placing mats at all doors.
- With time, dirt will grind into the wooden floor, damaging the finish and causing deterioration.
- Utilize felt protectors on furniture legs
- Remove surface dirt by vacuuming regularly
- Clean spills immediately, otherwise the moisture could cause the wood to expand, possibly resulting in permanent damage.

- Occasionally check for plumbing leaks (dishwasher, sinks, icemaker) or any other possible water penetration.

- If away for extended periods, keep your home air-conditioned.
- Guard your wide plank flooring against damage by being mindful of high heels and trimming dogs nails.
- For regular cleaning of dirt buildup, most polyurethane finishes allow damp (well wrung out) mopping.

Eventually, all real wood flooring finishes require revitalizing, including wide plank flooring with an abrasion resistant finish. Whilst this is done many years down the track, it’s best to do it when the finish becomes noticeably thin. Leaving it will expose your wide plank flooring to dirt and moisture.
If identified early, a simple scratch can be rectified with a re-coat, to return the real wood flooring to its original look.