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Douglas Fir Flooring: The wider the better?

April 29, 2011 by | Ian | There have been 0 comments

When selecting your Douglas fir flooring, the width of the boards should go hand-in-hand with both the interior design of the space and the appearance of the wood. The choice between narrow strip and wide plank flooring can achieve a remarkable effect on the overall feel of the room. Though both sizes have their advantages, wider planks are traditionally considered more attractive, especially with a wood as distinct and durable as the Douglas fir. Narrow strips, though more affordable, can’t match the historic feel of wider planks.

One of the biggest concerns in choosing Douglas fir planks for your floor is the stability of the wood. The effects of temperature and humidity changing over the course of the year causes lumber to expand and contract. A wider board is more sensitive to climate changes, and is more prone to cupping, a process in which the board curves at its edges and at the middle. A narrow board may be preferable in areas of high temperature change. However, there are many ways to prepare wide planks for the effects of shrinking and swelling.

First, boards with a vertical grain pattern are more stable, and a result of quarter-sawing. This process increases the grain density and therefore the stability of the wood. Flat grain boards, because of their curved end grain pattern, tend to cup far more easily than vertical grain products. Furthermore, the attractive surface of vertical graining is an ideal pair to the larger canvas of wide planks.

The wood should also be kiln-dried. Woods are dried in this slow, exact process so that the shift in environments, from forest to home, isn’t so drastic. If damp wood is exposed to the relatively dry home environment, the quick shrinking of the product could be destructive, with the potential for splits in the boards.

Once you’ve received the boards, you should acclimate them to the environment of your home. By exposing the boards to their new climate for at least a week, they should match the moisture content of the subfloor. This can be measured with an electric moisture meter.

Lastly, once you’ve applied an effective finish (if the boards weren’t already pre-finished), proper care and maintenance of the floor will prevent warping and cupping. Liquid spills should be cleaned up immediately, as they could disrupt the natural shrinking and swelling of the boards, as well as stain the wood. Be careful of the type and amount of product you use to clean the floor.

The type of wood you choose for your floor may be the most important factor in determining whether wide plank flooring is the right option for you. Douglas fir is an ideal variety for the luxurious look of wider planks. Not only does the Douglas fir provide stunning grain patterns, it is one of the most dimensionally stable woods used in flooring.

- Ian Friedman


This post was posted in All Entries, Douglas Fir Flooring

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