The truth of the matter is that there is no wrong way to lay them. There are more costly and more difficult ways, but there isn't a wrong way as long as they all follow the same direction. What seems natural to the room? It's a design choice.
You should run it in the direction opposite of the floor joists to prevent the vinyl plank from potentials splitting about under stress. Ask me about how I leaned this lesson.
Laminate is not a structural product like a wood floor so the direction it gets installed is not as important, with, across, or at an angle to the floor joists, they are all acceptable. For your closets, are you contemplating a threshold piece, a single piece between the door jambs?
Laying laminate flooring backwards is not recommended. Laminate flooring typically has a tongue-and-groove locking system that is designed to fit together in a specific way, ensuring stability and durability.
As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that's the easiest to install.
You will want to start in the left side of the wall you pick with the tongue on the long side of a plank facing the wall. The tongue against the wall should be removed.
Vinyl plank flooring can be installed backward. This means you will be laying the planks in the opposite direction. This can make it easy for them to curve underneath and lock into place with a simple tap.
Don't install laminate on any uneven subfloor or outdoors. Don't install your laminate over residential carpet. Don't install a second layer of laminate underlayment. This can create too much cushion compromising the lock system and joints.
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.
Laminate or wooden flooring looks the best when it is placed in the same direction as the long walls in the hallway. The sightlines of the laminate run parallel with the walls, which makes the hallway appear longer and spacious.
Traffic flow
The path most traveled in a room also dictates a sensible direction for your vinyl planks. Laying the planks parallel to the main traffic flow does a couple of things. First, it creates a visual elongation of the space, making the journey through the room feel more direct and spacious.
Parallel Planks
The direction you install your flooring makes an immense impact on the flow and spatial feel of a room. We recommend placing the planks parallel to the widest wall. This will create an elongated look by drawing attention to the longest portion of the space.
Horizontal flooring, where planks are laid parallel to the longest walls, is the most common installation method. This orientation tends to make a room appear wider and is generally preferred for its traditional aesthetic. It can make small rooms feel broader and more open.
While it's possible to start in the center of the room, it's not really practical in light of the way laminate flooring is constructed. First, starting in the middle will require spending a lot more time cutting pieces and battling to make them fit along the room's edges.
Following the direction of the longer-length walls in the room help to make it feel more open. If the adjoining rooms have open doorways or halls, you may want the vinyl to line up perfectly with the next room's floor as well. This can help the rooms to flow better and feel connected.
Here are some tips for installing vinyl flooring in your home! Go from left to right: Install vinyl planks from left to right. This is due to where the grooves are located as well as ease of installation. You'll want to keep the groove facing you as well, and use spacers between the plank and the wall.
Also known as vertical, parallel flooring directions draw the eye ahead – often towards an entryway, architectural feature, or a source of light such as a window. This classic direction is the traditional choice for most installations.
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
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.
Matching flooring is often recommended because it creates a seamless finish and better flow throughout your home. However, when it comes to interior design rules for flooring, there are no hard and fast rules — if you like mixing flooring or think your interior design could benefit from it, go for it.
wait for the floor to cure
Before you use your new floor or move into the room, make sure the floor is completely cured. Do not walk on the floor for 24 hours after installation. If you do, it will damage the installation, resulting in an uneven floor.