Laying Laminate planks - which direction?

[SproutsDad]

Are you doing breaks in the doorways.
Incizo quickstep doortrims are great for that.

Yes, thanks, see below

Thanks, John. The longest run is 3.5m in all rooms apart from room #3 which is 4.2m. There is a 10mm gap and threshold strip at each doorway.

 

[SproutsDad]

Should be laid inline with main light source .

Thanks, if you see the floor plans there is light from dual aspect sources, windows at 90deg in same room or directly along from the landing.

I hope you will agree that 'plan B lengthways' works best overall for a strong lengthways direction from the landing through room #2 and straight into room #3. with rooms going off at 90 deg there will be compromises on direction - I would think?

 

[foxhole]

Main bedroom ok in B all the rest should run towards the window.

 

[SproutsDad]

Main bedroom ok in B all the rest should run towards the window.

Thanks, but that means it is mostly like plan A, with just main bed room #3 running the other way, as shown in B.
That also means that rooms #3 main bed, and #2 will run at 90 deg to each other? Please confirm?

My intention was to have them all in line, same linear direction for them all. But is there a problem with that, can they not run parallel to their own windows? Or does it cause shadows etc, are there other reasons?

 

[foxhole]

There is absolutely nothing to gain by having them all run the same way.Only causes problems.

 

[SproutsDad]

There is absolutely nothing to gain by having them all run the same way.Only causes problems.

Ok fine, thanks. But is that just an opinion or are there real practical issues with having them all in line?

I just thought that a proff/expert would say it didn't look right if they didn't align room to room. Remember that this is really one large open space with that runs between rooms that mostly either have the doors open, rarely closed or no doors at all - a through way.
But I'll be guided by you if that's what you and other floorers normally do.

Thanks

 

[foxhole]

Trying to keep them all in one directions means some rooms could have small unstable sections because they are running the wrong way to suit the room.

 

[SproutsDad]

Trying to keep them all in one directions means some rooms could have small unstable sections because they are running the wrong way to suit the room.

Thanks, I understand, and that is a decision I suppose I have to make. Perhaps I'm overcooking it but as said earlier, this query is driven by the fact that this is a large fairly open area with either open or no doors at all. And these Balterio Stretto boards have a very pronounced V groove joint - otherwise barely visible on other almost hidden click joints.

Maybe none of this will matter much once the furniture is down and the rooms in use, I just didn't want some smart@xse tradesman mate saying I should have laid them the other way - they'll probably do that anyway!
Thanks

 

[John D v2.0]

You can always go for the compromise and lay diagonally! A lot more hassle is have thought, but I knew someone did it and loved it. Apparently makes the room seem bigger

 

[SproutsDad]

You can always go for the compromise and lay diagonally! A lot more hassle is have thought, but I knew someone did it and loved it. Apparently makes the room seem bigger

Thanks - and more wasteful diagonally I would think, or maybe not?

Despite this lengthy trail / thread I don't seem to have come very far. There isn't a totally wrong way I suppose, but some configurations better than others?

Final Decision - And ..... maybe after all this and when I installed it carefully to run through the rooms, there may be some small misalignment that just makes it look worse rather than better?

> If someone can suggest a variation on plan layouts A and/or B then I am keen to hear that.

> Opinions please?

Thanks

 

[John D v2.0]

Thanks - and more wasteful diagonally I would think, or maybe not?

Not necessarily much more wasteful, as the angle you cut for one end should match what you need for the other. But it was a tongue in cheek suggestion, I can see it's already a tough decision so I don't want to make it worse! Good luck with it, should be nice regardless.

 

[SproutsDad]

Thanks, and for such helpful support from you JohnD, Dazlight and others.
I understand the diagonal proposal and yes, it probably looks quite a Wow feature when done properly, but probably needs careful alignment between rooms and setting out.
I can take a joke and banter with the best, but sometimes on forums there are quite unhelpful and blunt retorts almost, can be quite off-putting for the DIY amateur asking what to others might seem no issue.
I just remember reading "everything is obvious to the man who knows", and on this flooring subject, I don't know, but am now wiser, thanks.

I have already adopted the 'storyboard' approach that I read elsewhere {great} of clicking together a room width of offcuts or planks to establish exactly how it will go together, where to start and how to handle certain more difficult areas.

I have gone for plan B, got the wife on it for a final executive decision! The small room #1 is almost done, it didn't take long to dismantle and turn around the part already done by 90 degrees. Looks good and the narrow doorway bit is in alternate full board and then 2 short pieces witha joint midway - result!

Thanks again to all of you for all your help

 

[John D v2.0]

sometimes on forums there are quite unhelpful and blunt retorts almost, can be quite off-putting for the DIY amateur asking what to others might seem no issue.
I just remember reading "everything is obvious to the man who knows", and on this flooring subject, I don't know, but am now wiser, thanks.

amen to that! The aim of the game is supposed to be as helpful as possible, fingers crossed I manage sometimes

My only correction is being female is no barrier to diy, maybe "everything is obvious to the person who knows"

Glad you're making progress, it's usually slower to work out what to do than to actually do it, in my DIY experience.