Solid hardwood flooring installation
We are about to install hardwood flooring and it has been suggested by my wife that a diagonal pattern (as oppposed to parallel to the walls) would lend some interest to the room.
I am eager to hear the opinions of others on the pitfalls and prattfalls of such a layout – I know there’s a little more work and waste involved, but is there anything else I have not considered?
Thanks for any feedback
dai
Replies
Once you snap a chalk line and get the first row started staright, it's no different than a straight laid floor. You might want to start in the middle of the room so your chalk line is as long as possible. trying to start in a corner and work out could be a problem. You will need to work toward one corner, and then go back with a slip tongue (or loose spline) and work toward the opposit corner.
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Edited 11/12/2008 1:46 pm ET by FastEddie
Wow! Now that's living up to your screenname! Thanks!
Would you suggest a diagonal from corner to corner or a fixed, say 45 angle - the overall area iais a bit of hodge podge of square spaces ....
d
I'd probably stick with the fixed 45 degree. It will make it easier to cut the ends along the walls, etc...I have CDO.
It's like OCD, only the letters are in alphabetical order like they're supposed to be.
http://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
Make it 45* off the primary wall."Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
then shellac the floors
I did the same--45° from the main wall. But I also stopped short of the walls by about 8 inches. I then put a trim parallel to the walls.
To make the trim, I culled the pile of wood, and took out the long, dark, straight-grained oak and saved it. I also bought some maple flooring, and some half-width walnut.
I let the ends of the flooring run wild, and then took a long straight edge and lightly fastened it onto the oak. (Yes, I was VERY careful to keep the nails away from the cut area!) With the circular saw, I cut away the edges to form a straight line, the distance just right for three planks of oak, one of maple, and the short walnut. I then took a router with a flooring groove bit in it, and ran a groove around the perimeter. I used a spline to mount the edge, so the tongue would face the wall. This allowed me to use standard nailing.
It worked out wonderfully. And, with some careful choosing of the wood strips, I had almost zero waste in the flooring. It was mostly just slightly more than triangles.
I finished it with a non-yellowing material (I don't want to mention the type, as it was not Frenchy-approved). It really looks nice.
"but is there anything else I have not considered?"
How much area is involved? One room, two, hallways etc?
that's OK Not everybody does everything right.. you're only a mere mortal <grin>
That sounds really nice. I bet it was scary making that cut. :)How is it holding up with humidity changes?I have CDO.It's like OCD, only the letters are in alphabetical order like they're supposed to be.http://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
Edited 11/12/2008 7:02 pm by True North
It has been holding up now for 10 years, just like any other hardwood floor. I will grab my daughter's camera and show you some of it. It needs refinishing, after all these years.Was it scary making the first cut? No. The straight edge was on the room side, so if the saw wandered, it would wander away from the room center. And, yeah, there were a couple of nail holes where the edge was mounted, but they are small and I dare you to find them now that the room is "loved" by kids, animals, and furniture.
Nothing like a well-used hardwood floor. I'd love to see some pictures.The reason I asked about seasonal movement is that it has been a problem in the past for some of my clients in Michigan (not my work). I'm always fishing around for details when the talk turns to wood flooring.I have CDO.
It's like OCD, only the letters are in alphabetical order like they're supposed to be.
http://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
OK, here are the pictures. Note the risers in the staircase. The stairs were carpenter built for temporary use, but I got the bright idea to just put flooring on them. I reproduced the pattern on the floor edging, as I found that it improved visibility.The risers are interesting. I took all my short cutoffs, sanded them smooth, and added a small chamfer on the edge to hide the slight height variations and nailed/glued them to the stairs.
Looks great. I have to say, I've never seen risers like that. It turned out well.I have CDO.It's like OCD, only the letters are in alphabetical order like they're supposed to be.http://www.truenorthcarpentry.net
Thanks to all for the suggestions - John D, you've got me thinking!
Thanks again
de
I would only like to add a cautionary suggestion......if this is a home you plan on living in for quite a while....and you are certain that the flooring run on an angle is the look you want...then go for it.
However....if you plan to sell and move within a few years, or you are not absolutely crazy about the look, I'd suggest you stick with tried and true parallel flooring layout.
Impulse designs can often become old looking in a short span of time....and "out of the ordinary" can often become a negative when trying to sell a home.
Just a few thoughts.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements