How To Lay Wood Floors Horizontally or Vertically

Consider in which direction you'd prefer to lay your floor. Try to picture your room with your boards traveling in either direction. Some people recommend that boards be laid vertically from the largest source of natural light in a room. Others say a floor laid horizontally across the main entrance to a room makes the room look shorter in depth. Still others say that laying your planks parallel to your room's longest wall gives you the best finish. It's best to go with your own preference.

Unpack some of your boards and lay them out in a section of your room. First try laying in one direction, and then the other. Use your hands to block your view of the rest of the room and focus on the section of floor you have laid out. This should help give you a feel for how your room will look when your floor is installed.

Discuss the pros and cons of laying in a horizontal or vertical direction with people you live with or friends. Take your time deciding. Once your floor has been laid, it's a lot of hard work to pull it up and start over, so the ideal is to get it right the first time.

Lay your flooring according to manufacturer's instructions. Your method depends on the type of boards you're using. If you're still undecided when you start the installation process, use a method that does not involve adhesives or glue. Sticking with a system like tongue and groove makes things a bit easier if you get halfway through laying your floor and change your mind.