Best Direction To Run Wood Flooring

Parquet hardwood floor direction this flooring pattern is the laying of wood planks in a repeated geometric pattern.

Best direction to run wood flooring.

Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it provides the best result aesthetically. The correct direction for laying hardwood floors. Hallways should aim to have planks running in the same direction. Interior designers often agree it is preferred to run your hardwood flooring straight in from the front entry.

Yet another exception if you have solid wood floors not engineered on a pier and beam foundation then you don t have a lot of choice as far as which direction to run the flooring it would best be run perpendicular to the joists. The wood planks that make up your new wood flooring should be laid out in a manner that leads to the center or focus of the room. If your sub floor is a concrete slab you can run the floors in any direction you prefer. Another way to determine the best possible direction for your planks is by following the lead of your room s features.

When you lay a hardwood floor in your home some of the first things that come to mind are color choices and the type of wood. While personal preference is a factor the direction in which you run hardwood flooring boards is governed by visual and structural guidelines. When hardwood floors are installed parallel to the joists they will sag squeak and gap. This pattern results in a hardwood floor with the appearance of a checkerboard sometimes with more complex patterns within each checkerboard square.

The direction that your wood flooring will run is not just a matter of personal taste. This gives visitors a sense of openness flowing into your home. So if you re redoing the floors in the foyer run the planks in the same direction as the front door. For example you can follow the direction of the main or most frequently used entrance of the room.

The most common way to lay install hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall or run in the installation. Sight lines and aesthetics laying the hardwood flooring so that it runs from the main entrance of the room to the opposite wall is the best for sight line. We have mostly slab foundations in this area and with engineered floors you have more flexibility. It also is governed by several design principles.

The best way to show off those visually stunning planks may not be so clear cut. Here are a few tips to help you decide.