shalenrd Hi- we have had an L.L.Bean waterhog mat on our hardwood floors for a couple of years and it has been fine. Periodically, I flip it up to clean underneath because any dirt underneath it will scratch the floor.

shalenrd Just thought that I would mention that we also have a few rooms where the flooring is laid on a diagonal. The shape of the house resulted in it happening naturally. When I install my dining room floors though, they will mimic the kitchen but be perpendicular to the living room. Not sure how to solve that!

Ironwood Builders Flooring direction changes are handled with a "header". A piece laid at a door or other transition area parallel to one floor and perpendicular to the other (or at an angle). Typical hardwood installation is perpendicular to the joisting (the thick boards that hold up the floor). That direction generally results in the floor going the long direction of the room. This can be a flexible installation rule, not an absolute.