Any flooring installation project requires careful planning and patience to be successful. Getting the most out of your new flooring means avoiding wasting your money on a solution that isn’t suitable. Consider planning every aspect of your installation.
One of those aspects is which way you want your laminate flooring to run and whether you should run it the same way in every room.
Yes, installed laminate flooring should run the same way in every room. There are multiple reasons for this, but the most important is that it will look much better.
In this post, we will talk about some basic information about the direction that your laminate flooring runs, how to ensure that you install laminate flooring right, and some other tips for installing your laminate floor.
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Why Should Laminate Flooring Run The Same Way in Every Room
When installing laminate flooring, consider the direction of the planks. All the rooms in your home where you’re laying laminate flooring must have planks running in the same order. The reason for this is both aesthetic and practical.
From an aesthetic point of view, having the planks run in the same direction creates a uniform look throughout your home, making it feel more cohesive and balanced. It prevents odd patterns or discrepancies from occurring, which could ruin an overall design intention.
It makes each room look larger, since having planks running in different directions can make it seem disjointed and smaller because of visual breaks between each plank pattern.
On a practical level, having all of your laminate flooring running in the same direction is crucial because it helps to prevent dirt and debris buildup along any edges or joints between individual boards. If your planks are running in different directions, then dirt and debris can get trapped between them, causing potential damage over time if not removed quickly enough.
Walking from one room with a different plank orientation into another with a similar direction can jar as your feet suddenly transition from one texture to another; this isn’t something you want if you’re trying to create a consistent atmosphere throughout your home!
By having all of your laminate floorings run in the same direction throughout your house, you’ll have an easier time when it comes time for repairs or upgrades later. Why? You won’t have to worry about finding pieces that match up correctly with existing pieces since they will all face the same way.
While aesthetics should play a significant role when deciding how to install laminate flooring throughout your home, more practical considerations also need to be considered. Ensuring that your planks are all running in the same direction will prevent any dirt buildup at joints and help create a smoother transition between rooms while making future repairs or replacements more straightforward.
Other Flooring Installation Tips
Installing your laminate planks in the same direction is one part of a successful flooring project, but there is more to know. Here are some more tips to guide you toward a fantastic-looking flooring installation project.
Measure, Then Measure Again!
Before you nail down planks, be sure to measure them twice. Even the slightest discrepancy could lead to difficulty with installation and future repairs.
Having your measurements right is important because if the planks don’t fit correctly, it’s challenging to make them work. It might not be easy to plan other renovation projects around flooring that don’t measure up correctly.
Choose The Right Underlayment
Underlayment is the material that goes between your subfloor and your laminate planks. Select an appropriate underlayment for your flooring that will dampen sound, provide additional insulation, and protect against moisture.
Be Sure To Leave Expansion Gaps
The expansion gap is the space you leave between the wall and your laminate planks. It’s essential to allow for seasonal expansion and contraction, as humidity can cause wood to expand or contract in size.
I would account for other elements, such as doorways or transitions between rooms, which may require a more significant expansion gap than the standard 3-4 millimeters.
These are just a few things to consider when installing laminate flooring in your home. By following these tips your flooring will look great and last for years!
How to Pick The Right Color Laminate
It’s crucial to put your planks facing the right direction, but it’s also vital to pick the right color. Choosing the suitable laminate and installation process can be challenging, but it’s easier when you know what you want concerning the design of your laminate flooring installation.
Here are my tips for choosing the right color of laminate.
Think About The Room’s Tone
Consider the tone of the room. Is it bright and airy? Dark and cozy? Light and neutral? The color of your laminate should complement this overall feeling.
Match With Existing Furniture
If you have existing furniture, consider picking a laminate that will match or at least complement it, as this will help create a cohesive look throughout the room and create visual continuity.
Pick A Color That Compliments Your Wall Colors
Your laminate should also match or complement your wall colors. You may find this tricky, but consider what would work best with your existing palette.
Ultimately, picking the color laminate for your home is a personal preference. Be sure to consider all the elements in the room and then choose based on what would work best with your design aesthetic!
Let’s Recap
The installation of laminate flooring helps add style and value to your property. When planning this, it’s essential to consider the direction of your planks and the color you want to use. Measure twice before nailing down any planks. Select the correct underlayment and leave the proper expansion gaps. Following these tips will help ensure that you have a successful flooring installation.
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John Thompson
John Thompson, Writer and Commentator, EvolutDesign.com
Soldier, writer, researcher, consultant, and bon vivant, John Thompson is the author of numerous columns, op-eds, reports, briefs, short stories and books as the “Felicity Files” and “Spirit Over Steel: A Chronology of the Second World War” (version III). Often found hunched over his computer, or in his garden, and now often found doing both. His diverse talent has led him to work in industries and projects such as energy, security and home construction and renovation.