5" vs 7" engineered hickory floor for stability

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Hello everyone,

I am in the midst of a new construction of a house in Vermont, and trying to decide on the wood floors. We have been looking at engineered hickory, to pair with radiant heated floors. And we have found a nice product with 5mm wear layer affixed to a birch plywood base, tongue and groove. This flooring is going on three levels, including a lower walk-out level.Will be glued down. The vendor of the flooring has recommended a 7" width product because they think it will look nicer than 5" and is minimally more costly. They said don't go wider than 7" but they believe 7" will be stable.

I have read a lot of threads on this forum about hickory being one of the woods that moves a bit more, not going too wide for hickory, and the importance of controlling humidity levels. We will have a HRV system, a dehumidifier in the basement. We will have AC on the upper and main floors in the summer, and will keep the radiant heat at no less than 65F in the winter (when we are away, this is a vacation home).

Based on what I've read here I am wondering whether we should stick with 5" width rather than going with the 7" width. I would be interested to know what the experts here think. Will the width a difference in terms of how noticeable the movement is?

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Comment (1)

SJ McCarthy
5 years ago
Check the installation instructions for the hickory. I MUST be allowed over top of HYDRONIC (water/oil/gel) in-floor heating. That's first and foremost. And then check to see if you can maintain 45% humidity at all times in the home (A/C might not be enough; dehumidifier located in basement probably isn't enough). Each story must have 45% humidity at all times.

Now the width. I see no reason to go with 7". To me there is, visually, very little difference in the floor once the product has been laid. The 7" width is, to me, a trendy product. I know...some classic floors out there have this width (Buckingham Palace being one of them) but it isn't something you see from 100 years ago. I digress. The 5" width is a bit more 'middle of the road' while still maintaining the wide-plank trend.

If you MUST have wide plank hardwood in a vacation home with in-floor radiant heat, in an area that has humidity swings, then go with the 5". It is just a snick safer...all the way around.
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