I also like the 2nd pic better but I don't know if the installers concerns are legitimate as I don't have any experience with

what about changing direction in the hallway? and should it change twice and keep room as the open space or as the hallway?

Flooring is recommended to be laid perpendicular to the floor joist. Direction should be continued over slab.

@G & S Floor Service That is not true, if subfloor is laid diagonally it doesn't matter, I remember many posts here from pros mentioning that, such as this houzz post. Moreover, on top of the 3/4" diagonal subfloor I have 3/4" thick 4'x8' plywood installed to go level to the concrete slab, so installer said zero problems to run my white oak in either direction.

the second picture looks right to me

If, you have two layers, then there is no problem with direction. That theory is true. Your floor will be stiff enough and will not deflect and cause issues.

But, if, you have a single layer at a diagonal, then the theory is false. Which way you run the floor boards will matter. If, you lay the floor boards parallel to the floor joist. You are allowing maximum deflection and joist shifting. If, you lay the floor boards perpendicular to the floor joist. You will reduce all of that and have a stiffer floor. In return you will get better sanding and finishing end result. Sanders will cause a lot of vibration. A stiffer floor is better.

I agree. with 3/4" diagonal subfloor and 3/4" thick 4'x8' plywood installed I should be good. So now lets talk what option is best please based on the points i brought up above

Lay it the lengh of the room. That will look best and functionally will have the least amount of width expansion.

mmm why least amount of width expansion?

Has anyone checked that these areas are not out of square at all? Sometimes one direction works better to hide...

Your house is about 50 feet wide and around 35 feet deep. The length of the large rooms runs along the 50 feet width of the house and width of room along the 35 feet depth. You have a common hallway that connects your living room and two other bedroom. Flooring length should be laid along this length, this direction. ( photo #1) Throughout the entire house, no changing direction. This will give you the best look, throughout.

Regarding function/stability, The width of the flooring will be laid along the 35 foot depth of the house. A Shorter distant compared to 50 feet, you will need less rows of flooring throughout the house. Flooring will expand more along the width, compared to length of the floor board. But, you have engineered, which is more stable but, still expands and contracts, especially the top wood veneer. For the least total amount of expanding and contracting, the width of the flooring should be laid along the 35 feet depth of the house. Less expanding equals less chance of buckling.

Your floor joist will most likely run parallel to the depth of your house (28 feet depth - original). Installation along the legth of the house will be perpendicular to the floor joist.

Start at front door and run to back throughout. Same direction. Don't change directions. Can't comment on the joist, sub-flooring etc. Just from a design point of view, this looks the best.

The 2nd choice and if you think you know how to do this whay are you asking us. IMO perpendicular to the joists is always the best choice and the usually the best look.

We had a similar dilemma when we remodeled and opened up 3 rooms from the front of our home to the back. We did follow the recommendations of both the flooring specialists and our architect to run our white oak hardwood in the #1 picture (horizontal) orientation as also suggested by G & S Flooring above and are very happy with the results. The boards laid parallel to your island in #1 also compliment the horizontal lines of your Island better than having all the short ends dive into it. The openness of the three rooms already establishes a long view line from front to back and the horizontal flooring provides a balance to those long lines. If you repeat the same long view lines in your flooring it would give the entire space a longer leaner look similar to the lanes in a bowling alley.

@Flo Mangan do you mean picture #2? with plank going from entrance to back? I like #2, but why not changing direction in the hallway? is it gonna look bad?

Yes. #2. The main lines of sight are most important and that is when entering from front door looking in back to pool doors. I believe that is best and by not changing direction in the hallway and keeping one direction you will avoid odd threshold at junction of hall and main area. If the installers are careful they can use pieces cut from widths of hallway material in closets. What is size of planks width and length? Because the other rooms are clustered, the direction will be immaterial. So definitely go parallel from front door along wall to back and stay with that direction throughout. Since you have a solid base, your install should go well.

As I calculate it from the posted layout, the house is roughly 50 wide by about 44.5’ deep so nearly square with pop outs. But IMO that is not a key factor. It’s the main “line of sight”. I would also remove the door separating hall from main area. Too many doors. I don’t see door to first bedroom from hall? The layout is tight. Hope this helps.

It seems like following the installers advice would be the best idea …will most likely save you money…all that relying on the installers ability and recommendations, of course

I will qualify that with…any long narrow room will not benefit from a long direction layout…it may just make that room feel narrower and would be better (even if there is a price difference) to lay floors crosswise

For flow in your case…looks like the left half could be linear and the right half…could be horizontal

@btydrvn I already paid for the job (28k only for install, 30k for wood, 2100 sqf) and he doesn't care about direction. He gives pros and cons but he can do either and he can warranty either.

Wow! That is huge cost. Anyway, thought some pictures of our home might help. Engineered planks. From front door to back orientation. A hall to left with same flooring direction. Hall from great room into master bedroom same direction and continues into master same orientation. Rugs also soften look so this is predominant approach here.

It’s quite a risk to pay all that money in advance. Usually, 30-50% to order materials; then 40% more when job is “substantially” complete and last 10% when totally complete. I am concerned that you now have no leverage to pressure for proper work. I am sure you are in a high cost area so I am praying you get a superior job because I know at this price/per square foot, they better do an extraordinary job. Best of luck.

Best installer in North Florida. Well known. He installs in million-dollar houses. He just installed an incredible floor in a sick house in the Bahamas, he has the pictures on Instagram. I got lucky a person canceled, he is booked until October. In this Covid situation for remodeling, zero problems to pay in advance. All the good installers are booked for months.

As for the floor, I paid 13$/sqf plus shipping for Rift and Quartered, select, 8" wide, Bona finish, 4mm wear layer. If you find a cheaper white oak not coming from oversea then I give you a $100 gift card.

As for a the install, I got 4 quotes, the cheaper was 22k, from a guy who looked so clumsy I would not even allow him to water my plants. Only plywood cost is 4k of material to get the wood subfloor level to the concrete slab in the addition. Glue is expensive. The house description with pics is linked above in the original post.

Absolutely option two. it not only is pleasing to the eye and feels more natural, but will also make the rooms feel longer and roomier. The first option will seem odd in person and the rooms will feel smaller.

https://jarretyoshida.com/

Ha. Seems like a ton of money to invest in this home, but to each his own. You have done your homework so now just get it done. I would be interested in knowing your decision. Best of luck.

How did the install go….care to post a photo of your new floors?

should be done by end of August. If I forget hit me up by then

A

Would love to see a photo, along with any comments or lessons learned about your install and hardwood selection (as I am considering the same). Thanks so much!

1/3 of the woodfloor was damaged, got free replacement. That 1/3 will be installed (hopefully) next week. Never ending story. Total cost so far for wood and install: 68k, on the contract I signed there was 20k install plus 29k material (I purchased material). for 2100 sqf of material and 1950 sqf of surface to be covered. I have a lot to tell. Remind me and I will post final pictures and full story.

Hope you and your home were spared any major damage from hurricane Ian. Take care!

It did. but hurricane postponed electricians that postponed everything by 3-4 weeks since everyone is fully booked.

Hi Venexiano, I would like to hear more about your floor story. My profile is set up to receive messages (underi Advanced Settings), but I didnt see where I could message you. Thanks for any insight and/or photos!