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direction to lay vinyl plank?

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

I have about 1000sqft of Cali Bamboo brand LVP to install on my first
floor. I'm looking to cover everything including the closets. The
product is 7.5mm thick, 7" wide and is sold through Lowes. This is my
first flooring project.

Below is the layout of my first floor. I originally planned on
attempting installation without any transition areas, but based on my
layout, I think that might be too much of a challenge. Not sure.

My main question is: What direction/direction(s) should I lay the
flooring based on my layout. I know there is a great amount of personal
preference, but I have no style, fashion sense, or eye for design.
Please help me out. See attached diagram
Thanks,
Chris

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Comments (5)

SJ McCarthy
6 years ago
I would say you can get away with laying the planks long ways down the hallway. You would maintain this orientation throughout the space. Your main living space is the livingroom and dining room. The long edge of the planks will run the long run of those two rooms. That also means they will run the long way down the hall (long edge of the plank runs down the long axis of the hallway - like a bowling alley).

The other rooms will have the short edges running down the long axis...but that's OK. It should look fine.

The natural light will also flow into the space in the same direction as the planks are laid...that's an absolute BONUS! It really is.

Now just make sure your windows do NOT let too much sunlight in. Vinyl floors do not like to get too hot. Most of them on the market require you keep the heat (on the floor) from going above 85 F. In a patch of sunlight, it can reach 100 F in less than an hour. Best to make sure you have the ability to shield your floors from direct sunlight/excessive heat produced by sunlight pooling on the vinyl.
Tom Hume
6 years ago
Whichever direction you decide, take pictures and submit them to Cali Bamboo for the project of the month. We would love to see the results!
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If we run them parallel then the hallways would have short planks laid crosswise which we think would look ridiculous. I agree. Floor should be solid before you lay LVP. Floor joists shouldnt affect results in my opinion. I would lay them the length of the hallway and continuous with that direction for the rest of the space for cosmetic purposes as you mentioned. It will look odd if done incorrectly. You could also consider transitioning at the hallway if you wanted to, running the long way in the rooms continuous then gluing down the planks at the transition and running the planks the long way down the hallway.
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You can add another 3/4" plywood for a total of 1.5" of total subfloor thickness. With a total thickness of 1.5", you can pretty much do as you like. The deflection rating of the floor is determined by 2 things: Distance between joists (measured "at centre" to keep things simple) 2. Total thickness of subfloor elements A proper subfloor is at least 2 layers. If you have a single layer of subfloor/underlay, then you probably have to lay new plywood anyway. You might as well "go big" so that you can have the floor installed in any direction you fancy. Assuming you have calculated the final deflection rating (you need to know the distance between joists "at centre") to achieve the right rigidity, you can run those planks in a circle if you like. And just for fun, make sure you are well equipped to deal with 8" wide planks. Anything over 5" wide require gluing as well as metal fasteners (assuming this is solid wood). And that's where the second layer of subfloor comes in handy. It makes it easier to deal with if that floor ever has to be ripped out (hopefully in 80 - 100 years from now).
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Over plywood subfloor means you will have a joist system. If you lay wood you will need to install perpendicular to the joists. If you lay vinyl you can lay in any direction you want. Ideally you would run the long length of the planks in the same direction as the long length of the space. If that doesn't work out then you would run the long length of the plank in the same direction as the long length of the MAIN living space and ignore everything else. Continue in all the same direction. Do not change directions in other rooms.
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Not sure about the ripping part but the 2nd pic is the way to do it layout wise and you do not rip anything to start. There is agreat tutorial on google if you ask where to start laying laminate or vinyl plank flooring step by step info and that is where you start.
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PRO
Cali Floors
6 years ago
CB chiming in and casting a vote for running the flooring parallel with the first flight of the stairs. And yes, please send us photos of the finished project.
chris2000kc
5 years ago
Mojo, I am curious as to how the Cali Bamboo Vinyl worked out for you? Any issues with installation? How does it look and wear and would you buy Cali vinyl again? We are considering White Aspen. Thanks much!
PRO
Cali Floors
5 years ago
We would also love to hear (and see!) how everything turned out.

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