How to Lay Hardwood Floor in a Contrasting Direction

Snap a chalk line on the floor, 3/8 inch from the edge of the longest wall in the room to provide an expansion gap. Also snap lines on the floor along the remaining walls in the room and in the room where the flooring will lay in the contrasting direction.

Lay a hardwood plank for the first course on the floor, directly above the chalk line, with its grooved edge facing the wall. Join the end of this plank with another plank, tapping the joint lightly so it forms a tight seam. Continue this process of laying full-length planks for the first course. Because you cannot fit a full-length plank along the end of this course, you'll need to measure and cut a plank to fit the available floor space, minus 3/8 inch for expansion gap for the perpendicular wall. Cut the last plank to the required size before fitting it in place.

Start the second course with the cut plank from the previous course to offset the seams, forming staggered flooring. Lay the plank for the second course into the tongue edge of the previous course. Continue to lay hardwood planks for this course, and the remaining courses, in the same manner you laid the first, until you cover the flooring with same-direction planks.

Measure the floor opening where you will install hardwood planks in the contrasting direction. Measure and cut a 1/4-inch-by-1/2-inch wood spline to the same length, using a saw. If necessary, use more than one piece for wider openings. The grooved end of the last course of hardwood planks fits into the spline, which acts as the slip-tongue, allowing for a smooth transition.

Spread a thin bead of wood glue over the grooved edges of the last course of hardwood planks. Insert the spline over the glued section, and tap it gently to ensure it adheres to the adhesive. Wipe glue that seeps out through the joint and leave it to cure for the time specified on the label’s instructions.

Lay the first course of hardwood flooring planks in the contrasting direction in the same way as the previous installation, using the snapped chalk line as a reference line. Spread a thin bead of wood glue over the grooved edges of the planks for the first course and insert these into the spline. Repeat the process to install the flooring planks in the direction opposite that of the space you floored first, until you've covered the floor.

Nail molding or trim to the walls to cover the expansion gaps. Ensure the lower edges of the molding rests directly above the flooring.