Need help in Hardwood floor laying direction

10 years ago

We are remodeling our house and now in flooring design.

I have a question regarding flooring layout.We are planning to have one direction for entry and pathway and opposite direction for other areas.

Do you see any issues in that ?

Or just have same direction everywhere?

Please see the attached picture of two styles.

1) Different direction for entry and walk way

2)Same direction everywhere.

Featured Answer

PRO

Steve Christopher

10 years ago

I agree, match your red line layout throughout. The visual effect will flow more and the rooms seem more spacious as the individual planks are running parallel to the longest walls in the rooms (at least it appears so from the attached image). Look at photo examples of wood floors on Houzz. You will likely find long rooms with the planks running perpendicular to the longest wall break the room up visually. Running them parallel should appear more pleasing to the eye and encourage walking through the space.

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Farinelli Construction Inc · More Info

I decided to not show examples of the perpendicular layouts to avoid controversy, but they're out there. This is my opinion, based on about 30 years as an architect.

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Comments (7)

acm
10 years ago
What is under your floor? Usually you need to lay the boards perpendicular to joists, but maybe if there's a slab or plywood underneath...
seema_sam thanked acm
Mike Hulme
10 years ago
in my opinion, i think the entry floor you have in red is the right way and the rest of the rooms should switch to match.
seema_sam thanked Mike Hulme
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Terri Henderson
10 years ago
I have seen them done in different directions, but I prefer all the same direction if possible.
seema_sam thanked Terri Henderson
seema_sam
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for the valuable feedback.

acm asked a question about what is there under the floor,and the floor is on top pf a plywood layer ,so contractor said any direction is possible.
dnkln2005
10 years ago
I like the direction highlighted in red best.
seema_sam thanked dnkln2005
Joyce Chmielewski
10 years ago
Having hard wood laid as I write this. Asked the same question and was told they must run opposite the joists. If not done this way they could buckle.
seema_sam thanked Joyce Chmielewski