Floor Planks: The Complete Guide to Every Plank Flooring Type

Floor planks are the most popular flooring format in homes and commercial spaces alike. The long, rectangular shape creates a sense of length and openness in a room, and the plank format is available across virtually every flooring material on the market today. But with so many options — solid hardwood, engineered wood, laminate, luxury vinyl, and even rigid-core SPC — choosing the right floor plank can feel overwhelming.

This guide breaks down every major plank flooring type, explains widths, thicknesses, and installation methods, and provides transparent pricing so you can make an informed decision.

Types of Floor Planks by Material

Solid Hardwood Planks

Solid hardwood planks are milled from a single piece of timber. They are the classic plank flooring that has been used for centuries, and they remain the gold standard for authenticity and long-term value.

• Thickness: Typically 3/4 inch (19mm), with some products at 5/16 inch for glue-down applications.
• Widths: 2-1/4 inch (strip), 3-1/4 inch, 5 inch, and 7+ inch (wide plank).
• Lengths: Random lengths from 12 to 84 inches, with longer average lengths in premium grades.
• Installation: Nail-down or staple-down over a wood subfloor. Not suitable for concrete slabs or below-grade installations.
• Refinishing: Can be sanded and refinished 3–5 times over its lifespan, lasting 50–100+ years.
• Cost: $4.00 – $15.00+ per sq ft for material; $8.00 – $20.00 installed.

For a comprehensive overview of species, grades, and finishes, visit our hardwood flooring guide.

Engineered Wood Planks

Engineered wood planks feature a real hardwood veneer on top of a plywood or HDF core. This construction gives them superior dimensional stability compared to solid wood, meaning they expand and contract less with humidity changes.

• Thickness: 3/8 inch to 3/4 inch total, with a wear layer (veneer) of 0.6mm to 6mm.
• Widths: 5 inch to 9+ inches. Wide planks are more common in engineered than solid because the layered construction resists cupping.
• Installation: Float, glue-down, nail-down, or staple-down. Works over concrete, plywood, and even existing hard flooring.
• Refinishing: Products with a 2mm+ veneer can be lightly sanded and refinished 1–2 times. Thinner veneers are not refinishable.
• Cost: $3.00 – $14.00 per sq ft for material; $6.00 – $18.00 installed.

Our engineered wood flooring guide covers this category in depth.

Laminate Planks

Laminate planks use a high-resolution photographic image of wood (or stone) printed on a decorative layer, bonded to an HDF core, and protected by a clear melamine wear layer. Modern laminate achieves remarkably realistic wood-look visuals.

• Thickness: 6mm to 14mm. Thicker planks feel more substantial underfoot and provide better sound dampening.
• Widths: 5 inches to 8 inches is standard, with some wide-plank options reaching 9+ inches.
• Installation: Click-lock floating installation over an underlayment. No glue or nails required.
• Refinishing: Cannot be refinished. When worn, the entire floor must be replaced.
• Durability ratings: AC3 (moderate residential) to AC5 (heavy commercial). Choose AC4 or higher for living rooms and kitchens.
• Cost: $1.00 – $5.00 per sq ft for material; $3.00 – $8.00 installed.

Learn more in our full laminate flooring guide.

Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP)

Luxury vinyl planks are 100% waterproof synthetic planks with a photographic wood-look layer protected by a clear PVC wear layer. They have become the fastest-growing flooring category due to their combination of waterproof performance, realistic visuals, and easy installation.

• Thickness: 4mm to 8mm+ for the plank, plus attached underlayment on many products.
• Core types: WPC (wood plastic composite) for maximum comfort and sound dampening, or SPC (stone plastic composite) for maximum rigidity and dent resistance.
• Widths: 6 inches to 9 inches is standard. Extra-wide planks up to 12 inches are available in premium lines.
• Installation: Click-lock floating. Some products offer loose-lay installation for even faster coverage.
• Refinishing: Cannot be refinished, but individual damaged planks can often be replaced.
• Cost: $2.00 – $7.00 per sq ft for material; $4.00 – $10.00 installed.

Our LVP flooring guide covers this category in detail.

Floor Plank Widths Explained

Plank width has a dramatic impact on the visual effect of your floor. Here is how different widths look and perform:

Narrow Planks (2-1/4 to 3-1/4 inches)

Often called “strip” flooring, narrow planks were the standard in American homes for decades. They create a traditional, classic look and are still popular in period-appropriate renovations. Narrow planks are available primarily in solid hardwood.

Standard Planks (4 to 6 inches)

The most common width across all materials. Standard-width planks suit virtually any room size and design style. A 5-inch plank is the best-selling width in both hardwood and vinyl categories.

Wide Planks (7 to 9 inches)

Wide planks are a dominant trend in 2026 flooring design. They show more of each plank’s grain pattern, create fewer seam lines, and make rooms feel more open. Wide planks work especially well in large rooms and open floor plans. Engineered wood and LVP are the best materials for wide planks because their construction resists the cupping and gapping that can affect wide solid hardwood.

Extra-Wide Planks (10+ inches)

Ultra-wide planks create a dramatic, high-end look. They are available in engineered hardwood and some premium vinyl lines. Extra-wide planks require very flat subfloors and precise installation to avoid lippage (height differences between planks). Expect to pay a premium of 15–30% over standard-width products.

Thickness and Its Impact

Plank thickness affects more than just durability:

• Sound dampening: Thicker planks absorb more impact sound. A 14mm laminate plank is noticeably quieter underfoot than a 7mm plank.
• Transition compatibility: Thicker planks may require height adjustments at doorways where they meet existing flooring. T-moldings and reducers handle these transitions.
• Subfloor forgiveness: Thicker, more rigid planks bridge minor subfloor imperfections better than thin, flexible products.
• Underfloor heating: Thinner planks transfer radiant heat more efficiently. Check manufacturer specifications before installing over heating systems.

Installation Methods for Floor Planks

Floating Installation

Planks click together and “float” over an underlayment without being attached to the subfloor. This is the most popular DIY method and works for laminate, LVP, SPC, and many engineered wood products. Floating floors can be installed over concrete, plywood, existing tile, and even vinyl sheet flooring in most cases.

Nail-Down or Staple-Down

The traditional method for solid hardwood and some engineered wood. A pneumatic flooring nailer drives cleats through the plank tongue at an angle into the wood subfloor. This creates a very secure, squeak-free floor but requires a wood subfloor and professional skill.

Glue-Down

The plank is adhered directly to the subfloor using flooring adhesive. Common for engineered wood over concrete and for LVT (luxury vinyl tile) products. Glue-down creates a very solid feel with no hollow sound underfoot, but it is the most labor-intensive method and makes future removal difficult.

Loose-Lay

Some heavy vinyl planks with friction-grip backing can simply be laid in place without clicking, gluing, or nailing. Loose-lay installation is the fastest method and allows easy individual plank replacement, but it works best in smaller rooms where the planks cannot shift.

How to Choose the Right Floor Planks

Match the plank material to your situation:

Best for Moisture-Prone Areas

Luxury vinyl planks (LVP/SPC) are 100% waterproof and ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and basements. Laminate with waterproof technology (like Pergo WetProtect or Mohawk RevWood Plus) is also an option but traditional laminate should avoid standing water.

Best for Authenticity and Home Value

Solid hardwood planks add the most resale value and are the only option that is truly “real wood” through and through. Engineered wood with a thick veneer is a close second and works in more installation situations.

Best for Budget Projects

Laminate planks deliver the best bang for the buck. A quality AC4 laminate plank costs $2.00 – $3.50 per square foot and can last 15–25 years in a residential setting. Budget LVP is similarly affordable.

Best for DIY Installation

Click-lock LVP and laminate are the easiest floor planks to install yourself. No special tools beyond a utility knife, tapping block, and pull bar are needed. Most homeowners can cover a room in an afternoon.

Best for Underfloor Heating

Engineered wood and thin LVP/SPC planks work best over radiant heating systems. Solid hardwood is not recommended because its expansion and contraction with heat cycling can cause gaps and cupping.

Floor Plank Pricing Comparison

Here is a side-by-side cost comparison for a 500-square-foot room:

• Laminate (mid-range): $2.50/sq ft material + $2.50 labor = $2,500 total
• LVP (mid-range): $3.50/sq ft material + $2.50 labor = $3,000 total
• Engineered wood (mid-range): $5.00/sq ft material + $4.00 labor = $4,500 total
• Solid hardwood (mid-range): $6.00/sq ft material + $5.00 labor = $5,500 total
• Wide-plank premium engineered: $8.00/sq ft material + $5.00 labor = $6,500 total

Top Floor Plank Brands by Category

Hardwood

Bruce, Shaw, Mohawk, Somerset, and Carlisle Wide Plank Floors.

Engineered Wood

Shaw Floorte Hardwood, Mohawk TecWood, Mannington, Anderson Tuftex, and Hallmark Floors.

Laminate

Pergo, Mohawk RevWood, Shaw Repel, Quick-Step, and Swiss Krono.

Luxury Vinyl Planks

COREtec, Shaw Floorte Pro, Mohawk SolidTech, Mannington Adura, and LifeProof (Home Depot exclusive).

Trends in Floor Planks for 2026

• Extra-long planks: 72-inch and 84-inch lengths create fewer end joints and a more expansive look.
• Matte and low-sheen finishes: Glossy floors are out. Matte, wire-brushed, and hand-scraped textures dominate across all materials.
• Light and blonde tones: White oak, Scandinavian-inspired pale finishes, and light gray stains are trending upward.
• Mixed-width installations: Combining two or three plank widths in the same floor for a rustic, reclaimed look.
• Herringbone and chevron patterns: Available in engineered wood, laminate, and LVP plank formats designed specifically for angular layouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most durable floor plank?

For scratch and dent resistance, SPC vinyl planks with a 20+ mil wear layer are the toughest option. For long-term refinishability, solid hardwood wins because it can be sanded and refinished multiple times over decades.

Can floor planks be installed over existing flooring?

Floating planks (laminate, LVP, click-lock engineered) can generally be installed over existing hard flooring as long as the surface is flat, clean, and stable. Installing over carpet is not recommended. Always check manufacturer guidelines for approved substrates.

Are wider planks better?

Wider planks are more visually impactful and trending in modern design, but they are not universally “better.” They require flatter subfloors, are more prone to cupping in solid hardwood, and cost more. In small rooms, standard 5-inch planks may look more proportionate.

How do I calculate how many floor planks I need?

Measure the room’s square footage (length × width) and add 10% for waste on straight installations or 15% for diagonal or herringbone layouts. Round up to the nearest full carton when ordering.

Final Thoughts

Floor planks are available in virtually every material, price point, and aesthetic style imaginable. The best choice depends on your budget, the room’s moisture exposure, whether you plan to DIY or hire a pro, and how long you want the floor to last. For most homeowners, mid-range engineered wood or LVP planks offer the best combination of looks, durability, and value. For those who want the real thing and plan to stay in their home long-term, solid hardwood planks remain unmatched in character and longevity.