Many hardwood floor options are available, and they come in various widths, lengths, and thicknesses. We are going to focus on the thickness of hardwood because width and length are typically chosen by taste because a hardwood plank’s thickness is the feature to help you understand how structurally sound a product is. A 3/8 inch vs 1/2 inch hardwood floor is typically a 2 coin thickness difference. A 3/8 inch vs a 1/2 inch hardwood floor is typically a choice between engineered or solid hardwood selections in these thickness ranges.
Solid hardwood thickness and Engineered hardwood thicknesses offer different options if you plan to refinish your floor in the future. There are several factors to consider when selecting hardwood flooring. Select a durable wood species, choose solid or engineered hardwood, and many people look to the thickness of the flooring you’re shopping for such as 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch planks. Let’s tackle the plank thickness.
3/8 inch vs 1/2 inch Hardwood. A Coins Difference?
The main difference between 3/8″ and 1/2″ is a 1/8″ difference between thicker or thinner flooring material. To put 1/8 of an inch in perspective, two quarters stacked together will measure at about 1/8″ inch. We don’t think a two-quarters thickness difference changes a floor’s durability by a significant margin. A thicker floor in general like a 1/2″ floor will offer more stability. These 2 flooring thicknesses are typically signs of an engineered hardwood floor. We think looking at the number of plys or layers in an engineered floor is a better indication of how durable it is. You can learn more about engineered hardwood layers and core types in our blog here.
About Solid Hardwood Thicknesses
While 3/4-inch solid hardwood is the most commonly used thickness, typically 1/2″, 1-inch-thick hardwood is available. These thicknesses may not always be the best option, despite their lengthy lifespans. These floors can warp or buckle when exposed to a lot of moisture, and this is also an issue when the floor isn’t properly put in place. A wood substrate floor is needed if thick hardwood is to be put on top of concrete.
Other solid hardwood floorings are available in planks that are either 5/8-inch or 1/2-inch thick. As far as pricing is concerned, there isn’t much difference between 3/4-inch and 1/2-inch flooring. So, when choosing the size, think about how high you want your floor to be before making a decision.
The versatility and resistance to moisture damage of thinner, solid hardwood floor profiles can be greater. Thicker ones will look and feel better, while thinner ones will be more noticeable. In places where water can accumulate (such as restrooms), in rooms below grade, or on top of concrete, no matter how thin the wood is, it is not suggested that it be installed.
Solid Versus Engineered Wood
The original type of hardwood flooring, solid hardwood, is still widely used by homes today. Wood species such as maple, oak, and walnut are commonly used in their construction. Engineered Hardwood is typically 5/16 to 3/4 inches thick. Engineered boards, on the other hand, tend to be wider and have fewer seams. Typically engineered hardwood is prefinished.
Engineered wood flooring resembles genuine hardwood in appearance; however, it is mostly constructed using plywood layers, called plys, as a foundation with real hardwood on top. Bonded hardwood is then applied to the surface to complete the look. The thickness of this type of flooring ranges from 3/8 to 1/2 inches, and it is often more comprehensive than solid hardwood flooring. Solid hardwood is more expensive than engineered wood flooring in general. There are fewer color options for prefinished hardwood in most circumstances.
In addition, the sanding and refinishing of solid hardwoods can be more straightforward. Refinishing engineered wood flooring may not be achievable if the top layer of the flooring is too thin; solid boards are better to work with in this scenario. It is possible to install engineered flooring over concrete subfloors in apartments and basements without having to remove the old material. To put it another way, solid hardwoods elevate the floor height more than engineered woods, which do not. Plywood supports the latter, which is frequently put on top. Engineered floors can often be installed directly upon concrete.
About Engineered Hardwood Thicknesses
According to Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, engineered hardwood has two layers: the “wear” or “veneer” layer on top, and the “backing” or “core” layer underneath. Backing must be thicker than wear layer in order to protect the wear layer from damage. Engineered wood flooring with a thickness of 3/4 to 5/8 inches is recommended. The wear layer should be 3/16 inch thick, and the core should have a 9 or 11-plywood (ply) thickness. If you’re considering a new floor for your home, be sure to check the product specifications to be sure it’s appropriate for the room you’re remodeling.
Engineered floors are ranked best, better, and worse by This Old House. A 7- to 9-inch ply sits at the top, with a thickness of 5/8 to 3/4 inches. There are a lot of other attributes to look for, such as the capacity to be sanded at least twice, a 25-year or longer warranty, and a large variety of woods. The thickness of lower-grade engineered hardwood may alter the technique of installation.
The 3/8-inch thickness of the thinnest engineered hardwood flooring necessitates nailing it in place. When comparing 3/8-inch and 1/2-inch engineered hardwood flooring, the 1/2-inch option can be bonded. One big advantage is that it takes less time and you might not want to see the nails in your floor.
Wood Hardness and Softness
Make sure you know what kind of wood your flooring is composed of before making a decision. South American and Indonesian tree species are among the strongest. Patagonian Rosewood, Brazilian Walnut, and Brazilian Ebony are just a few of the extremely hard woods recommended by Fantastic Floor. Brazilian Cherry, Hard Maple, White Oak, and Black Cherry are all excellent options for an extremely hard hardwood plank. Douglas Fir is one of the lightest and most supple woods. Hardwood will always be more durable in engineered flooring, regardless of the species of wood utilized.
Even while softwoods might be just as strong and durable, hardwoods have a distinct advantage. Solid hardwood or engineered hardwood floors made of ash, cherry or ebony is more durable than one made of oak, maple, pecan, or walnut, for example. Unless you plan to use fir or pine as a utilitarian floor in a garage or shed, these materials are not ideal for flooring.
Hardwood Flooring Grades
Hardwood flooring comes in different grades – the best-known hardwood grade is 1st Quality, meaning that it has no knots or flaws and is of a uniform color and finish in every box you purchase. The next grade is select/better, which is mostly uniform in color without flaws. From there, you have #1 common, #2 common, or 2nd Quality which have color variations and small flaws. These cost less and can provide more natural-looking floors. To learn more about cabin grade flooring click here. To learn more about all the grades of flooring listed on our site visit our FAQ page. The farther down the grades are, the more color variation and flaws you will see. You can shopp all our flooring on our main Shop page here. If you have any questions about specific floors please don’t hesitate to give us a call today!
