Picture this - the hardest part of picking out the type of hardwood floors that match your home’s aesthetics is over. Now comes the next step, the installation portion of the project. What may come as a surprise when installing hardwood floors is that the slats themselves have their own special direction they need to lay.
But not to worry! We have all the information you need to ensure that your hardwood looks its best long after the installation is complete. All it takes are the following few simple tips and tricks to make putting slats in place as smooth as possible. Let’s dive in together!
What’s Recommended?
For those who may have never installed hardwood before, it’s common to make the mistake of installing the flooring parallel to the floor joists. Believe it or not, it’s actually recommended to position the slats perpendicular to the floor joists. Why?
It’s simply because planks, especially those that are longer, have a greater tendency to dip from wear over time. When installed perpendicularly, the wood is given extra support and won’t be prone to drooping or bowing as easily.
Ask Yourself This Question
Ask yourself where the main entrance faces. This is super important because it will determine exactly how you should lay your slats perpendicular to the entrance. Upon walking into your room, the planks that are running perpendicular will create a visually complex space, and therefore create a more dimensional appearance.
When boards run parallel instead, the lines draw the eyes away from the room instead of allowing them to focus on the overall space. If you’re having a difficult time locating the floor joists on the existing floor, use the main entrance as a point of reference for the next installation.
Take Other Parts of the Home into Consideration
Depending on the type of room you're renovating, this will alter the way that the hardwood floors are installed. The direction of the flooring entrances the eye while also remaining functional protection against wear and tear. Bedrooms and hallways are major focal points in a home, and so, these are the following ways in which the layout of the floors will work the best for you (and be brilliantly eye-catching)!
- Bedrooms: In any room separated from the rest of the house, such as a bedroom or smaller room, the goal is to make the area appear bigger. You want to visually maximize the space. How?
All you have to do is run the hardwood in the same direction along the wall of the bedroom. The installation itself will be easier, and the end result will be extremely satisfying from an optical standpoint.
- Hallways: This part of the home is especially important when taking the floor placement into consideration. Choose planks that will run the length of the hallway in its entirety. This will help to avoid any choppiness and create the appearance of a more elongated hallway. Hallways are the one instance where a perpendicular layout is not your friend.
By making sure that the layout of hardwood slats is intentional in particular areas of the home, the overall appearance will be more cohesive and visually appealing. Not only that, but it will make a smaller space look that much bigger.
Learn To Stagger Them
Direction isn’t the only important factor in hardwood floor installation. The size of the slats also matters. The two ways discussed below are good options when it comes to breaking up your space without only relying on the direction of the initial slats.
These are the needed materials:
- Table saw
- Nails
- Hardwood glue
- Nail gun
Some main application differences:
- If They’re Already the Same Length: When you first lay out the wood pieces, you may notice that the batch you have are all the same size. If this is the case, then the best option is to trim the last piece in a row to fit.
Then start your second row at the end of the first row. Since the last row was cut short, the new longer row will create the look of staggered seams. This instantly breaks up the appearance, and all it took was a small alteration.
- If They’re Different Lengths: If the wood is coming out of the box in all different sizes, then all you have to do is line them up to fit in the rows. If they happen to be too long at the end of the row, then all you need to do is cut the last plank. This will still create a staggered seam as well that is more automatic instead of manually created.
Make sure to start your second row at the end of the first and keep going until the space in the room is complete.
Width of the Wood Slat Matters
Funny enough, it’s actually a positive thing for your home if you have wider wood slats. Wide planks add value to a home and an extra element of beauty. In fact, 5” boards are now considered to be the new standard for wider planks. Wide slats happen to give an upscale modern look to the overall home and space.
The following are a few of the more common “wider” widths that more people are opting for in their homes:
- 4” to 6”
- 8”
- 6” to 10”
- 10” or more
Obviously, if the direction and length of your boards are not enough to create the lush look you’re attempting to achieve, why not change up the width? We promise that it will make a huge difference!
Perfect Planks
And there you have it! That’s really all you have to know when it comes down to creating your aesthetically perfect space while simply using the direction of wood slats, their lengths, and their widths!
While the installation itself isn’t overly complicated, the hidden manipulations done have proven to have a high impact on the overall appearance of the finished product.
So, whether you’re indulging in some much-needed renovations or simply putting new floors in the house of your dreams, pay close attention to the direction of your slats, and you’re sure to love Hardwood Bargain’s end result!
Sources:
Bedroom trends: The latest looks for your bedroom | Homes and Gardens
Wide Plank Flooring Pros and Cons | The Spruce
How to Use a Table Saw: Ripping Boards Safely | Family Handyman
