Which way should I run my laminate floors? (Pictures included) (hardwood floors, plank)

[FloridaKash]

Here are various layouts. Arrows indicate direction of bamboo laminate. X's indicate rooms that will not have laminate and all room have doors. Rectangles at bottom of drawing are Stairs which will have laminate on them.

I think the first picture (all pointing up) is the correct way. Only concern is that... as we all know, walls are never square... so the floor could be tilted in the bedrooms.

Second picture... I think would make the hall look really choppy and waste a lot of material.

Third picture - I think would eliminate the concern of the floor tilting too much. The direction change would obviously be in the door way using T molds. Might be kind of weird going into a room where the floor changes direction.

Thoughts? Putting it down tonight!

[blazerj]

I like #3, especially because the bedroom doors will break things up anyway.

[Graycee]

#3

[akck]

Normal convention is to lay the boards pointing in the longest dimension. That would be #3. Bedroom doors will reduce any weirdness, but I think once they are in, you'll be used to it and it will be more of a feature.

[FloridaKash]

DW picked...... #2. She wanted to avoid transition strip into the bedrooms. Started on it last night. You know what they say... Happy Wife.... Happy Life.

[blazerj]

Originally Posted by FloridaKash

DW picked...... #2. She wanted to avoid transition strip into the bedrooms. Started on it last night. You know what they say... Happy Wife.... Happy Life.

Good luck and post some pics when done.

[FloridaKash]

I'll try to get some pics up when I get done. Man, I really hate laying flooring. I grew up in the industry and just like plumbing.... it and I do not get along. I am pretty good at everything else though.

Hopefully this incompetent flooring store will have my Stairnose in tomorrow.

[suzannewright]

#2 is the way I would have gone. Actually, we did do it that way cause we didn't want the transitions, either. Smart wife

[CHTransplant]

I always thought the best way to lay hardwood floors was perpendicular to the floor joists, as the wood planks spanning the joists adds some structural integrity to the floor system. Running parallel would remove any structural contribution by the flooring planks, such that you're relying on just one layer of plywood typically.

[FloridaKash]

Originally Posted by CHTransplant

I always thought the best way to lay hardwood floors was perpendicular to the floor joists, as the wood planks spanning the joists adds some structural integrity to the floor system. Running parallel would remove any structural contribution by the flooring planks, such that you're relying on just one layer of plywood typically.

Well, if that's the case then this was the right way.

The floor turned out good, sure was a challenge getting boards under door casings, took some creative manipulation. One thing is for sure, it's fast going when you are in a square part of a room. But when you have to cut pieces around objects, slide them under door casings or anything else like that... it really slows you down.