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Wood floors should always be laid perpendicular to floor joists—across rather that in between them. This will make the floors structurally sound and will help prevent the planks from separating, sagging or buckling. So, there is no right or wrong way to lay your wood flooring.
Should hardwood floors be the same throughout the house?
While many people try to match all of the wood floorings throughout their homes, it’s unnecessary. Wood floors do not need to match, and often, it’s best if they don’t. Ultimately, it’s a matter of personal preference, and either style can work.
How do you stagger hardwood floors?
Different Sizes Lay out your wood planks by size. Install the first row of wood planks, leaving about 1/2 inch between the row and the wall. Start your second row of planks with wood from a different stack than the first row. Continue alternating stacks when choosing the first piece of wood for each row.
Does the tongue or groove go against the wall?
Which to Install First. Which side is the tongue, which the groove, and which goes first during installation? The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.
Can you run hardwood floors in different directions?
Wood floors should always be laid perpendicular to floor joists—across rather that in between them. So, there is no right or wrong way to lay your wood flooring. Choosing which hardwood floor direction is more a matter of personal taste and the layout of your space.
Which direction do you lay wood flooring in a hallway?
Whenever you are placing wood flooring in a hallway or any long and narrow area, it should run in the direction away from the doorway.
What is the best time of year to install hardwood floors?
The best seasons of the year for hardwood floor installation are the spring and fall, when there is a moderate amount of moisture in the air but the climate is not overly damp. Whenever you decide to have the floor installed, an indoor humidity level between 45-65 percent is recommended.
Is it OK to put different flooring in different rooms?
There is absolutely no need to change flooring from room to room. We often work with homeowners who feel the urge to pick a different flooring for every room of their home, but there is absolutely no need to do this. Your home will look best if you create one consistent look that travels from room to room.
Is it OK to have 2 different wood floors?
Put simply, the answer to the question do wood floors have to match room to room, is entirely one of personal choice. You can choose to have different flooring in each room if that works for you, but synergy and flow from selecting one central flooring material can look wonderful too.
How far apart should I nail hardwood flooring?
Place at least two nails in every board — the rule of thumb is to nail every 10 to 12 inches. Flooring is typically bundled in random lengths. Vary board lengths as you install so you will have staggered end-joints in a random pattern (image 6).
Do you have to stagger wood flooring?
Staggering your planks is a crucial step to creating a beautiful and lasting room. Not staggering the seams of your floor can create a disruptive pattern that attracts unwanted attention to individual planks.
Do you have to stagger hardwood floors?
Even if they are simply close together, the eye can interpret them as forming a single joint. The National Wood Flooring Association recommends a 6-inch stagger pattern for hardwood strip flooring and an even greater separation — up to 10 inches — for 5-inch-wide wood planks and laminate planks.
How tight should tongue and groove be?
All it takes is 1⁄8″. The joint should be a firm press fit: If you have to knock the pieces together, then struggle to pull them apart, the joint’s too tight. A tongue that’s a hair too fat for the groove may actually seat, but it will stress the groove sidewalls and may, in time, prompt them to split.
Should tongue and groove be glued?
The recommended glue for floating installation is Tongue and Groove engineered flooring glue. Glue placement is very important. The glue must be placed along the topside of the groove the full length of the grooved side and end.
Do you have to nail tongue and groove flooring?
Although tongue and groove solid hardwood flooring does fit together, it must still be nailed to a subfloor. Engineered tongue and groove planks, however, snap together to create a “floating” floor that is not physically attached to the floor below.
How do you transition between two hardwood floors?
The best way to transition from one wood floor to another is to use either the T-molding or seam binder method. These methods ensure a smooth finish between the gaps while still allowing the adjoining hardwood floors to expand and contract.
Can hardwood flooring be installed parallel to floor joists?
Hardwood floors that are installed parallel to the joists will eventually sag between those joists; if you insist on changing the recommended floor direction, add a minimum ½” nominal plywood underlayment to the existing subfloor.
When should you change floor direction?
It may be necessary to transition the direction of hardwood flooring if you have a mix of new and pre-existing flooring or a diagonal layout in the center of a room. It is also possible to layout offset rows of flooring, creating a random, staggered pattern for visual interest and alignment with a room’s attributes.
Can you install tongue and groove backwards?
Vinyl plank flooring was designed to install in one direction but it is still possible to install it backward. When doing so, you either have to modify the tongue and groove or be prepared to work slowly and perhaps have some waste.
How do you transition a floor in a doorway?
So, you’ll want to make sure that your transition from one floor to another is set right in the middle between the door. All you’ll do is simply change the boards in the middle of the doorway and continue your installation with the other flooring in the other room.
Which direction should I lay my bathroom floor?
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that’s the easiest to install.
