Which way to lay flooring?


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Old 02-13-08, 07:50 AM
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Which way to lay flooring?

I am going to install a engineered floor in my living room. I've read where you should install it perpendicular to the joist and I've also read where it should be installed with the lengh of the planks running towards a window. The room I'm going to install it in is approx. 13' x 18'. The joist run the 13 feet. I've got a 8" bay window on the 18" wall. Which direction should I run the flooring? thanks
 
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Old 02-13-08, 09:32 AM
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As it's engineered flooring - the floor joists don't really come into play - assuming your subfloor is solid. Typical rule of thumb is to run the flooring along the long side of the room (if you room is 12 X 18 - run your strips along the 18ft side of the room). In actuality, it's all a matter of personal preference... whatever you like - you do!
 
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Old 02-13-08, 09:35 AM
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So the light coming through the window really has no bearing on which way to run it. I believe the reasoning was that the joints wouln't stand out as much.
 
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Old 02-16-08, 11:39 AM
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I'm planning to lay 3/4in solid maple in the same direction as the joists (for the look). The house was built in 1985 and the 3/4in plywood subfloor appears very sound.

Is this risky? Does anyone have any tips as to how to veryify that the subloor is flat enough and that there are no sags? Should I buy a 2 metre long level to check it out?
 
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Old 02-17-08, 03:32 PM
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Try using a mason's string held tightly along the floor and sight along it looking for dips etc...
 
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Old 02-21-08, 10:54 AM
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2nd the idea of the string

put a nail in each corner, then run a string (tightly) from nail to nail (both square and diagonally), this will give you a real good idea of what the floor is doing.
 
 

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