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In general, laminate manufacturers recommend laying laminate flooring perpendicular to the longest wall in a long, narrow room to avoid a bowling alley effect. When the boards are laid across the room, the lines between the boards and the wood pattern visually widen the room.
Does it matter which way you lay laminate flooring?
In what direction should you lay a laminate floor? In most cases, you should lay your laminate flooring parallel to the longest side of the room or your home. This will create a more natural flow and will accentuate the length of the room better.
Should laminate be horizontal or vertical?
You can lay your flooring either horizontally or vertically. Vertically will elongate a room and works great if pointing towards a window, as it will follow the natural light. Laying laminate flooring horizontally will can make a small room appear larger.
Which way do you run flooring in a narrow room?
If the room is narrow, such as a hallway, a corridor or a long kitchen, planks should run the length of the room. In the same vein, it’s typically recommended that planks are installed parallel to the longest wall of the room.
Can you change direction of laminate flooring?
When laying laminate flooring, board direction is more of an aesthetic issue and less a structural one, as it can be when laying a hardwood floor. Board direction affects the sense of proportion in rooms, and you may want to change it at natural transitions points, such as doorways.
Which side of laminate goes against the wall?
The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.
Where do you start when laying laminate flooring?
Start at a straight wall and lay your first row joining all the edge boards. The first board should be a 1/2 board then continue along the row. Use spacers to ensure you maintain a 10mm gap against the wall. If you don’t have spacers some cut-offs from your laminate floor will work.
Should all wood floors run the same direction?
Structural Considerations 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.
Which way should flooring run 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.
Which side is the tongue on laminate flooring?
The tongue on laminate flooring is the small flat edge on one side of the board, this is the top edge that is going to angle and lock into the bottom side of another board.
Which direction should vinyl plank flooring be laid?
Flooring is typically installed in the same direction of your leading source of natural light, and the same goes for luxury vinyl. If you have large windows in a living room or an entryway that allows a flood of natural light, then run your planks in the same direction.
Which way should you lay flooring in Long room?
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
Can you lay laminate floor backwards?
It may still be possible to install laminate flooring from other manufacturers in reverse, but you need to be cautious that you don’t damage the tongue and groove while doing so. Those who install laminate flooring professionally have no problem installing it in reverse.
Does laminate flooring have to match from room to room?
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.
Should laminate flooring be staggered?
Laminate flooring manufacturers often require their floors to be staggered anywhere between 6 to 12 inches, some manufacturers even want more. Don’t ever short-stagger your flooring, it is both not aesthetically pleasing, and can also bring up some of the same issues as not staggering the floor at all.
Should laminate floor joints line up?
Whenever you are installing laminate flooring, the most important rule is to read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow what they say. If you look at any section of flooring (4 or 5 rows), no 2 seams in that section should line up exactly.
How many spacers do I need for laminate flooring?
Place at least two spacers along the wall that runs parallel to the long direction of your laminate flooring planks. This is the wall that runs in the same direction as your flooring. If you have enough spacers on hand, run them all along the parallel wall, allowing at least two spacers for each plank.
Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate?
Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.
