Professional installers
ordinarily have a better sense of which direction
to install a hardwood floor. Basically a layout
looks more attractive if the flooring is installed
the long ways of the room or installation area. It
also gives a sense of a larger area without boards
installed across the area.
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Diagonal
installation |
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If you should happen to live in
a home that has a wood subfloor, direction may be
decided by which way the floor joists run.
Installing a solid 3/4" naildown type hardwood
floor perpendicular to the joist direction gives
far more strength than parallel to the joists.
Installing parallel can create sagging and
separation at a later date. An alternate method
would be to install on a 45º angle (diagonal) to the joists,
providing a unique look that many rarely consider. |
If you are dead set on the
installation running parallel another option would
be to install minimum 3/8" plywood on top of the
existing wood subfloor. It's best to glue (liquid
nail or similar) and screw the added plywood to
insure no squeaks will be heard.
Glue down or floating floors
do not follow this rule. |
