Luxury vinyl planks can be laid horizontally or vertically or have a herringbone or diagonal pattern. The direction of the flooring changes the look and feel of the room.
If you want to save cost on materials and time cutting, you'll want to lay them in the direction that follows the longer dimension of the room. This way, you'll only need to cut planks that meet the shorter-length walls. Following the direction of the longer-length walls in the room help to make it feel more open.
Vinyl plank floors should run longways along the length of your room. This creates the illusion of more space. And if your room has corners and angled walls, you may want to lay your planks diagonally, creating a unique and eye-catching effect.
For narrow spaces like hallways or long kitchens, running the LVP the length of the room will elongate the space instead of chopping it up with short plank pieces that will be more difficult to install in a pattern. If there are angled walls, then a diagonal layout may be the best visually interesting pattern option.
Vertically will elongate a room and works great if pointing towards a window, as it will follow the natural light. Laying laminate flooring horizontally will can make a small room appear larger. Most people prefer to lay their boards parallel with the room's longest wall.
Which direction to lay vinyl plank flooring in a small bathroom? In a small bathroom, lay the vinyl planks parallel to the longest wall. This approach helps elongate the space, making it appear larger and more open.
The most popular pattern chosen when installing vinyl flooring is the subway tile offset pattern, in which the tiles of each row are offset by half the width of the plank or tile.
Grab your first plank board and gently trim off its tongue using your utility knife. Then, set the plank down, making sure the side without a tongue is facing the room's wall. As a rule, when laying the first row of planks, ensure you leave a tiny space (about a quarter of an inch) between the planks and the wall.
While luxury vinyl plank flooring is ideal for several rooms in your home, it will eventually meet other flooring types. It is here that you'll need the right transition piece(s) to create an effortless flow between these surfaces. Kitchens and bathrooms call for flooring that can handle water and moisture.
Use the 2-Inch Rule: As a general guideline, ensure that the end joints between planks in adjacent rows are staggered by at least 2 inches. This means the starter plank in each new row should be at least 2 inches longer or shorter than the starter plank in the row before it.
When installing LVP flooring in your home, it's important to know what types of surfaces it can be installed over. Generally speaking, LVP can be installed directly over subfloors such as concrete or ceramic tile assuming they're clean and level.
For higher traffic areas this is generally the better option because you don't risk planks shifting in the slightest. Gluing your LVP is also more permanent so if you are not planning to continuously redo your floors, this is a great choice. It is also less of a hassle to replace planks if they get damaged.
Considering Room Shape When Laying Planks Down
In rectangular rooms, it's generally recommended to install LVP parallel to the longest wall as it tends to make small spaces appear larger.
You should run it in the direction opposite of the floor joists to prevent the vinyl plank from potentials splitting about under stress.
A flat and level floor is key so that the adjoining vinyl plank flooring doesn't have varying heights. It is absolutely essential that the subfloor is completely level.
To lay your flooring in a basic pattern, design experts recommend starting from the most visible wall of the room from the entrance. Lay your planks so that they run from end to end, parallel against this wall. It's recommended you start ¼ of an inch off the wall.
Since vinyl plank flooring comes in even sizes, you might be tempted to install them in a straight pattern. However, straight floor panels are more likely to warp, shift and slide out of place. Staggered floors create an unevenly spaced pattern with 6 inches of space between the end joints on adjacent rows.
Room Shape and Size
The shape and size of the room are crucial in deciding the direction of the flooring. As mentioned, horizontal planks can make a room feel wider, which is ideal for narrow spaces, while vertical planks can make a room seem longer.
The "H" Pattern
Not only is this visually unappealing, but it also undermines the seamless look that LVP is renowned for. To prevent the formation of this undesirable pattern in your LVP installation, it's crucial to carefully plan the layout and spacing of the planks.
Common Luxury Vinyl Plank Flooring Laying Directions
Planks are installed parallel to each other along the length or width of the room. Simplest and most common method; works well for most rooms. Planks are placed at a 45-degree angle to the walls. Adds visual interest and can make a room appear larger; more waste.
If the flooring in the adjoining room is carpet, it doesn't matter which direction you lay the vinyl flooring in, so other factors can help you decide. If the flooring in the room is another type of hard flooring and you want distinct transitions between the rooms, have the vinyl flooring put in the opposite direction.
If you are installing vinyl planks in a bathroom, you may need to temporarily remove the toilet, or you can install around it. If the subfloor is not level, you can fix low spots with a self-leveling product and sand or grind down high spots. Tip: Do not try to sand down old vinyl flooring, as it may contain asbestos.
For staggering wide plank flooring, begin with a full plank for the first row. In the next row, cut a plank in half and stagger the seams by at least 6-8 inches from the first row's end joints.