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Have you ever noticed that hardwood floors are laid differently in some homes than they are in others? While traditional wisdom states that hardwood flooring planks should be run perpendicular to flooring joists, modern building codes allow homeowners to choose how flooring is laid. 

Which Direction Should My Floors Run? 

Most interior designers and installers recommend placing hardwood flooring parallel to the longest run of flooring in your home to elongate the room and create a seamless look. To determine which way planks should run, measure the walls of your home to find where the longest continuous stretch of open flooring would be.

In long, narrow areas, such as hallways, hardwood flooring typically runs parallel to the directionality of the hall, or away from the entrance. Laying them horizontally results in more seams and difficult installation. If the hallway connects to a room where the hardwood runs in a different direction, you can use a transition strip in a doorframe to keep the change from feeling jarring.

Plank width should also be considered when choosing how to lay hardwood. Since wide planks take up more space and can make a room feel wider with fewer seams, you may want to lay planks vertically to create a sense of balance. 

Are There Other Decorative Styles? 

hardwood floorsWhile most homeowners either choose to run their hardwood floors parallel or perpendicular, you can also lay hardwood floors diagonally or in a herringbone pattern to bring a little more visual interest to the floors of your home. Hardwood floors can also contain decorative inlays around the perimeter of rooms to make spaces stand out. These techniques should be handled by a professional to ensure the outcome is aesthetically pleasing and structurally sound. 

 

Brand new hardwood floors can completely transform your space, so turn to the team at Carolina Wood Floors in Winston-Salem, NC, if you are thinking about making a change. In addition to offering residential, commercial, and sports flooring, these experienced hardwood flooring contractors can also help with professional refinishing and repairs. Find out more about this trusted business by visiting their website, or give their office a call at (336) 765-0680 to learn more. 

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