Setting out floor layout

[iddon]

How do I ensure that when laying the first few pieces of solid oak flooring that it will run square through the rest of the installation? Is there a method to produce some sort of datum point?

 

[WoodYouLike]

If your boards are straight you have to keep checking if the joints between the boards of one row are closed. That's the only way to ensure your floor is installed straight. After a few rows (two or three) you can insert spacers between rows and wall to keep things fixed, but keep checking the joints.

 

[iddon]

I understand that point, what I want to ensure that the first row runs at the correct right angle to the walls
thx

 

[WoodYouLike]

Depends if your wall is straight, set out spacers for your expansion gaps, then check if the joints of the rows are closed = main issue.

 

[noseall]

Use a builders line or laser level to set a straight line parallel to the starting wall. Measure off this line back to the finishing wall and tweak it till all measurements appear roughly parallel.

Once you have a good average then it MUST be right, right?

 

[WoodYouLike]

And keep checking those joints, the only sign that you are keeping that average line - if your boards are straight

 

[ColJack]

to get it right angles to the wall, simply use a 3-4-5 triangle..
measure 3 foot ( or multiples ) along the wall from the start point, then measure 4 foot ( or multiples, same multiple as the 3 ie if you measured 9 foot first then you need to measure 12 foot here ) out from the wall, then measure between the end points and it should be 5 foot ( or multiple as above ie 15 foot ) between the points..

if you do the last 2 with string and scribe an arc then the intercesting points of the arcs are where to draw your line to get a perfect right angle from the first line..

 

[iddon]

Thanks for the guidance,