Getting Started with Wide Plank Flooring
Choosing the right wood for your wide plank flooring goes beyond color or grain — it’s about finding a material that fits the way you live and the character you want your home to have. Each wood species brings its own natural variations, performance qualities, and design feel. Understanding a few key considerations can make the process feel clear instead of overwhelming.
At William & Henry, we guide you through these decisions with clarity and confidence, helping you understand how each wood type performs and how it will ultimately shape the spaces you live in. If you’re ready to dive deeper, you can explore our individual wood species pages to see how each option comes to life.
Most homeowners begin by thinking about:
- Design: The overall look and feel you want — whether that's clean and modern, warm and traditional, or rich with natural character.
- Durability: How your floors will handle daily life, from foot traffic and pets to long-term aging.
- Budget: How much you want to invest in a floor that will anchor your home for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I start?
A good place to start is with how you want your home to feel.
Consider your design style, your lifestyle (kids, pets, entertaining, or quieter living), and where to flooring will be installed. We encourage you to visit our photo galleries here on the William & Henry website, and explore other sites, such as Houzz or Pinterest for inspiration.
From there, we’ll help narrow down wood species, grades, and construction options that align with your vision, practical day-to-day living, and your budget. Many clients begin by reviewing our wood species overview or comparing solid vs. engineered flooring to understand what’s possible.
We always like to say, “It starts with a conversation.” Contact us and we’ll help you take that first step.
Why is William & Henry different?
William & Henry focuses exclusively on custom wide plank flooring. We don’t work from preset collections or limited options. Instead, every floor is thoughtfully made to order — allowing you to select the wood species, cut, grade, width, finish, and construction that best fits your project. Our approach combines craftsmanship, design guidance, and transparency so you know exactly what you’re choosing and why it works for your home or commercial project.
We’re focused on long-term relationships, not transactional sales — taking the time to listen, educate, and guide rather than push a product out the door.
What does "custom" mean? Do you have products off the shelf?
Custom means your floor is built specifically for your project — not pulled from inventory. We don’t stock pre-made flooring or off-the-shelf products. This allows greater flexibility in width, length, grade, color, and finish, and ensures your floor reflects your space rather than a standard template. Custom does involve lead times, but it also ensures your floor is thoughtfully made for your space — not rushed, not generic, and definitely not ordinary.
What should I consider when choosing solid wood vs engineered wood?
Both solid and engineered wood floors offer the beauty of real wood, but they perform differently depending on the environment. Understanding these differences early can help you avoid surprises later in the build or renovation process.
Solid Wood Flooring
Solid wood flooring is made from a single piece of wood and is best suited for stable interior conditions. Solid wood is also best installed nailed to a plywood sub-floor. It offers timeless appeal and can be refinished multiple times.
Engineered Wood Flooring
Engineered wood flooring is constructed with a real wood wear layer over a layered core, providing greater dimensional stability. It’s often the better choice for glue-down applications or more temperature and humidity fluctuation.
We’ll help you determine which option makes the most sense based on your home, subfloor, climate, and design goals. For a deeper comparison, visit out Solid vs. Engineered Wood Flooring Guide.
How do I know which wood species is right for my floors?
Each wood species has its own grain pattern, hardness, color range, and natural character, all of which affect both appearance and performance. Some feel refined and uniform, while others celebrate knots, mineral streaks, and variation. Exploring samples and understanding how each species wears over time helps ensure the wood you choose aligns with both your aesthetic and your expectations for aging.
Will my floor look uniform or full of variation?
That depends on the wood species and grade you select.
Cleaner grades offer a more consistent look, while character grades highlight knots, color shifts, and natural markings. Neither is better — it’s about what feels right for your space and personal style.
Can wide plank floors work in modern homes?
Absolutely! Wide plank flooring works beautifully across architectural and interior design styles, from traditional to contemporary. Clean finishes and consistent grades often complement modern spaces, while natural textures and variation add warmth and contrast in traditional or rustic settings.
How involved is the design process?
As involved as you want it to be. Some clients come with a clear vision, while others rely on us to help guide them through options step by step.
Our role is to simplify decisions, answer questions honestly, and ensure your final floor supports both the design and function of your home.
How much should I expect to spend on custom wide plank floors?
At William & Henry, every floor is custom — crafted to your home or commercial project, your design, and your lifestyle. Because no two projects are alike, pricing is determined by several key factors. Visit our Pricing Overview page to learn more about what drives cost, how we build your quote, and what’s included in every project. You will also see general price ranges for each wood species.
The Best Floors Start with a Conversation
Whether you already have a plan for your new flooring or just the start of an idea, we’ll help guide you to the floor that’s right for your home and lifestyle.