I have already asked a similar question on the "Golv" forum. Thank you for the responses, but I feel I haven't quite grasped the question. Hence, I'm asking on this forum as well.
How should I consider the direction of the Dala-Floda wood flooring in terms of plank length orientation?
What determines the length direction?
- light entry
- direction of the ceiling panels (unfortunately, the length direction varies in different rooms)
- the fact that entering with the short sides under kitchen cabinets allows for easier sliding of the planks all the way to the wall
- the length direction of the house
- that the seams are less visible if the planks are laid in a certain direction
What should guide my decision?
I can add that it's quite an open floor plan where you first enter a hallway (from the north side), straight ahead there is a fairly large opening directly into the living room (here there is a patio door straight ahead, the door here is south), to the right of the living room is a dining room and between these two rooms, there is an even larger opening; from the dining room, you can then turn right and enter the kitchen, and then you're back in the hallway again.
The question is whether I should lay the planks straight ahead into the living room, north to south, or whether I should "connect" the living room with the dining room and lay the planks from left to right instead?
Grateful for good advice!
How should I consider the direction of the Dala-Floda wood flooring in terms of plank length orientation?
What determines the length direction?
- light entry
- direction of the ceiling panels (unfortunately, the length direction varies in different rooms)
- the fact that entering with the short sides under kitchen cabinets allows for easier sliding of the planks all the way to the wall
- the length direction of the house
- that the seams are less visible if the planks are laid in a certain direction
What should guide my decision?
I can add that it's quite an open floor plan where you first enter a hallway (from the north side), straight ahead there is a fairly large opening directly into the living room (here there is a patio door straight ahead, the door here is south), to the right of the living room is a dining room and between these two rooms, there is an even larger opening; from the dining room, you can then turn right and enter the kitchen, and then you're back in the hallway again.
The question is whether I should lay the planks straight ahead into the living room, north to south, or whether I should "connect" the living room with the dining room and lay the planks from left to right instead?
Grateful for good advice!
larsbj, what is it that often makes you feel/think that, do you think?
What is it that feels right about choosing the house's length direction?
It just "feels so" or?
For what reason could the house's length direction instead feel completely wrong?
How about light entry and joints?
When are the joints least visible?
What is it that feels right about choosing the house's length direction?
It just "feels so" or?
For what reason could the house's length direction instead feel completely wrong?
How about light entry and joints?
When are the joints least visible?
It is probably mostly because I am traditional and like how it looks in older houses.
But also the practicality that in a regular wooden house with wooden beams, it tends to be that way.
Exceptions could be when a very long and narrow space goes across the house, for example, a corridor or hallway.
But also the practicality that in a regular wooden house with wooden beams, it tends to be that way.
Exceptions could be when a very long and narrow space goes across the house, for example, a corridor or hallway.
My house is from 1893. The new wooden floor will be screwed into the old plank floor that I will leave in place underneath. Therefore, it is possible to screw into this and you are not dependent on the wooden beams. The existing original floor is laid in the length direction of the house. The same goes for the wooden floor upstairs. As you mentioned, this was apparently the way it was done in the past. The length direction of the house.
In my case, the only long narrow space on the ground floor is a small minimal passage from the hall past a small toilet. If I choose to lay in the length direction of the house, this is such a small space that I don't think it would disturb.
If I choose to lay in the length direction of the house, this will also mean that the short sides of the planks can slide under the kitchen cabinets. This might be good, making it easier to get the floor under the kitchen cabinets.
So, a more traditional/old-fashioned style might be to do as you say!? But, then it would be contrary to the light direction... However, I also like trying to maintain "the old style."
In my case, the only long narrow space on the ground floor is a small minimal passage from the hall past a small toilet. If I choose to lay in the length direction of the house, this is such a small space that I don't think it would disturb.
If I choose to lay in the length direction of the house, this will also mean that the short sides of the planks can slide under the kitchen cabinets. This might be good, making it easier to get the floor under the kitchen cabinets.
So, a more traditional/old-fashioned style might be to do as you say!? But, then it would be contrary to the light direction... However, I also like trying to maintain "the old style."
Would it be possible to change the length direction in a corner?
I have a smaller rather long narrow room, in a corner of the house, where by the way, the beadboard ceiling goes in the other direction.
Or does it just look ugly to change direction in a small room?
If I do it, I can have the planks in the same direction as the ceiling and the boards won't be so short on the floor.
Or, should you definitely have the same length direction in all rooms?
I have a smaller rather long narrow room, in a corner of the house, where by the way, the beadboard ceiling goes in the other direction.
Or does it just look ugly to change direction in a small room?
If I do it, I can have the planks in the same direction as the ceiling and the boards won't be so short on the floor.
Or, should you definitely have the same length direction in all rooms?
If you lay the new flooring in the same direction as the underlying floor, the top floor can become wavy because any waviness in the subfloor can be amplified. The room's dimensions seem to increase in the direction of the floorboards purely optically. Worth considering.