Factors such as visual aesthetics structural integrity and the installation method should all be considered when installing your new hardwood flooring.
Changing direction of hardwood flooring.
When laying hardwood floors the need to reverse the direction of the tongue always comes up.
The traditional way to run a hardwood floor whether you are working with a nailed down or floating format is to have the planks running.
Therefore the direction you lay hardwood floors in a new home is based more on aesthetic and design factors as opposed to the direction of the joists.
How to install wood flooring and change direction.
The correct direction for laying hardwood floors.
In these instances the hardwood floor planks are usually laid in parallel to the longest run or wall in the installation.
When entering the new area we have to establish another reference chalk line.
Also called backfill shown in the second illustration below.
While personal preference is a factor the direction in which you run hardwood flooring boards is governed by visual and structural guidelines.