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Which Direction Should You Lay Your New Hardwood Flooring?
By KYLE SCHURMAN
Generally, lay hardwood planks in a direction that is perpendicular to the room's primary entrance door. However, it's important to note that there's no one correct answer.
It depends in large part on the layout of the room, both in terms of dimensions and shape, as well as things like whether the room has a sturdy subfloor.
The most common layout is called vertical, planks are placed outward from the main entrance to the room. This direction matches the natural flow of foot traffic.
Another popular option is a horizontal plank layout, where planks are placed parallel to the doorway. This draws the eye to the width of the room and makes it feel bigger.
Non-traditional layouts include herringbone, with individual pieces creating almost a zig-zag pattern. It adds character, but is quite challenging and time-consuming.
For the greatest durability and structural integrity for your floor, look at the direction of the floor joists and the subfloor's material before choosing the planks' direction.
Cement or stone subfloors won't affect stability, but those with thin plywood must either have another plywood layer or planks that are perpendicular to the joists' direction.
Additionally, if you have open-concept rooms, try to lay the planks in the same direction throughout all the connected rooms to encourage the feeling of natural flow.