Choosing which direction to install hardwood floors is
often a confusing choice for many. In a nutshell, the
preference calls for running the flooring front
to back as you enter the home. In other words, as you
walk into the foyer, the hardwood will be installed
perpendicular to the front door threshold. If the front
entrance is rarely used and the main focal point becomes
another point of entry it may be better to go
perpendicular from there.
Floor
Joist Direction Can Mess It All Up
More
modern homes have a floor joist system and a subfloor.
Experts have always been aware of the effect floor joist
direction can have on the performance of solid 3/4 inch
hardwood floors. The preference has always been
installing perpendicular to the joists, as it provides
stronger support for the floor going over it. Installing
with the floor joist system or parallel, can lead to
sagging or board separation.
The
Solution To Fix The Mess Up
For years
most construction has been using common 5/8 or 3/4" sub
flooring over joist systems. In some cases thinner
material may have been used. None of these are suitable
for a problem free floor installation running parallel
to the joists. Sure in some cases it may work, but
others not. Why take chances considering the cost of
hardwood floors today?
Fixing the
underlying problem is as simple as adding another layer
of plywood to the existing subfloor, providing your
floor joist spacing is in a normal range. Many suggest
3/8" plywood to be used if you prefer running with the
joists. When installing, run the new subfloor material
perpendicular to the existing while overlapping older
subfloor sheets(seams). Applications ordinarily call for
gluing with a construction adhesive, while screwing or
using ring shank nails secured into the floor joists
through the existing subfloor.
Older
Plank Sub Flooring
Older
homes with thicker solid plank flooring were installed
on a diagonal. Any new hardwood installation
does not require additional sub flooring unless the
preferred direction is the same as the old plank
subfloor. Other situations where attention should be
taken into account would be if thinner sub flooring was
used, or settling of the home had taken place with
visible peaks and valleys across the subfloor visible.
Concrete
Installation on concrete does not follow any of the
above. There are no structural subfloor components that
can effect the performance of the hardwood floor except
prestressed or precast concrete. These type of subfloors
have been constructed off site. Consult with experienced
professionals to evaluate these systems and what may or
may not be needed in your case.
Other
Considerations
Experienced installers have a better grasp on which
direction the floor should run. A little off subject,
but if you have a lightweight concrete subfloor often
called gypcrete, some hardwood floors can only be
installed by the floating method. Direction can also
play a role by opening up areas that looked smaller.
Straight Laid Or Diagonal Floor?
Diagonal
installations can be installed on both plywood (minimum
sub floor requirements) and concrete
subfloors.
Diagonal installations are not very common
because few bring up the suggestion, or the contractor
doesn't want to handle it as the time involved
increases.
In our own
personal opinion, diagonal installations at a 45º angle
will make your home stand out in the neighborhood. It's
not uncommon after finishing up a job, neighbors come by
to casually snoop and ask themselves.."why didn't we do
that?" Expect higher installation rates and material
waste when installing on a diagonal.
Directional Changes
Some
ask.."I have this long hallway. If I install the
flooring front to back of the entry, it will look all
chopped up in the hallway. What can I do?" It's not
uncommon to have directional changes that offset the
appearance, providing you have the proper sub floor. |
