Hello everyone,
I am planning to install Haro Disano design flooring. The planks are approximately 200 x 23 cm (79 x 9 inches) in size, so they are quite large, with a surrounding V-groove, which I really like. Now I am just wondering in which direction it would be best to lay these large planks. The room is about 5.7 meters (18.7 feet) long and about 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide. The window is on the long side.
Originally, I wanted to install the flooring across the room to make it appear visually wider. But now I’m wondering if the planks might look better laid lengthwise to have more full planks installed. Or would that make the room appear more elongated?
I am planning to install Haro Disano design flooring. The planks are approximately 200 x 23 cm (79 x 9 inches) in size, so they are quite large, with a surrounding V-groove, which I really like. Now I am just wondering in which direction it would be best to lay these large planks. The room is about 5.7 meters (18.7 feet) long and about 3 meters (9.8 feet) wide. The window is on the long side.
Originally, I wanted to install the flooring across the room to make it appear visually wider. But now I’m wondering if the planks might look better laid lengthwise to have more full planks installed. Or would that make the room appear more elongated?
I gave this a lot of thought “back then.” The rule to lay flooring lengthwise to the direction of incoming light comes, among other reasons, from a time when it was important to avoid the joints along the long edges of parquet or laminate planks becoming too noticeable due to shadowing in the grooves. With modern V-grooves, this “problem” no longer really exists, since the groove is meant to be visible.
I would always
- install flooring lengthwise in long rooms and corridors, as this defines the direction within the floor or building,
- lay flooring throughout the entire house or at least consistently per floor in the same direction,
- pay attention to the light direction only when the room’s geometry does not already dictate the installation direction.
In our case, both the incoming light and the room geometry pointed to the same installation direction. Especially in long corridors, it looks really bad if wide planks are laid across the length. Believe it or not, the corridor appears wider when long, wide planks are laid lengthwise.
So in your situation, I wouldn’t prioritize the light direction but rather follow the room’s layout and your intuition!
I would always
- install flooring lengthwise in long rooms and corridors, as this defines the direction within the floor or building,
- lay flooring throughout the entire house or at least consistently per floor in the same direction,
- pay attention to the light direction only when the room’s geometry does not already dictate the installation direction.
In our case, both the incoming light and the room geometry pointed to the same installation direction. Especially in long corridors, it looks really bad if wide planks are laid across the length. Believe it or not, the corridor appears wider when long, wide planks are laid lengthwise.
So in your situation, I wouldn’t prioritize the light direction but rather follow the room’s layout and your intuition!
Thank you for the post. At the moment, I prefer the lengthwise option (so perpendicular to the window). It looks more harmonious to me in the pictures. Cutting might be slightly more complex, as the boards need to be adjusted lengthwise rather than across when fitting near the heating.
I have the same "problem" in the living room. There is a large window wall. Based purely on aesthetics, I would say the flooring should also be laid perpendicular there. I will share the room here for opinions.
In the hallway, vinyl tiles in the size 60cm x 30cm (24 inches x 12 inches) will be installed. I actually want to lay those perpendicular as well.
I have the same "problem" in the living room. There is a large window wall. Based purely on aesthetics, I would say the flooring should also be laid perpendicular there. I will share the room here for opinions.
In the hallway, vinyl tiles in the size 60cm x 30cm (24 inches x 12 inches) will be installed. I actually want to lay those perpendicular as well.
How do you actually start? Most people I've spoken to begin in the left corner. But isn't that dependent on which side the groove or tongue is on? The installation instructions for Haro Disano say to start in the right corner. Since the groove is on the left side, it wouldn't work any other way, because otherwise you can't click the board in from above. Am I correct in thinking that? I'm just asking because many say it doesn't matter where you start.
Start on the right
Once you have laid a few rows, you can also stand on the already installed area and lay boards from the left if you prefer that...
As you have probably noticed, the tongue and groove system determines the direction of installation, but you can choose your own position when laying... clear, right???
Once you have laid a few rows, you can also stand on the already installed area and lay boards from the left if you prefer that...
As you have probably noticed, the tongue and groove system determines the direction of installation, but you can choose your own position when laying... clear, right???
So.. I have now oriented the bedroom lengthwise (across the direction of the natural light) and I am satisfied with that.
Next is the living room with the integrated dining area. Here, I am also leaning towards the lengthwise option
(which means horizontal in the pictures). It would then again be positioned across the natural light coming through the large
window centered at the top (about 3.6m wide, 2.2m high (12 feet by 7 feet)). On both sides of the room, there are skylights as well as a dormer window.
The crosswise (vertical) option feels a bit awkward in the hallway area, doesn’t it?
Just realized that I can’t upload the pictures right now.. will upload them later
Next is the living room with the integrated dining area. Here, I am also leaning towards the lengthwise option
(which means horizontal in the pictures). It would then again be positioned across the natural light coming through the large
window centered at the top (about 3.6m wide, 2.2m high (12 feet by 7 feet)). On both sides of the room, there are skylights as well as a dormer window.
The crosswise (vertical) option feels a bit awkward in the hallway area, doesn’t it?
Just realized that I can’t upload the pictures right now.. will upload them later
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