Which Direction to Lay Laminate Flooring ?

One of the things to consider is the direction in which you should lay your flooring – it is often the last question you will be asked before installation and is vitally important to the overall aesthetics of your room. There is an adage that most installers abide by: ‘The length of the room by the light of the window.’

This concept is derived from the very first installations of real wood flooring. Lining up the planks towards the light of the window not only gave the illusion that the rooms were longer, but it may also have hidden any cupping or wear and tear in the boards over the years, thus adding to the longevity and aesthetic appeal of the chosen flooring.

Another view would be to install in the direction of the traffic through the area – the direction you walk through the room. If you are walking with the length of the board, it is more aesthetically pleasing than walking against the width of the boards, as it gives you a natural flow. This is more prevalent in patterned laminate flooring, e.g., herringbone or tile-effect boards. You want your floor to invite you into the home.

As this was the traditional way of installing real wood flooring, it has found its way into laminate floor coverings as well. You are purchasing a floor that looks like real wood. You will want to have it installed in the same direction to make it look as close to the real thing as possible.

And that’s just aesthetics. From a technical perspective, it is generally recommended that you begin the installation parallel to the longest wall of the room. Most often, this would be an exterior wall, as they tend to be the straightest built walls in the home. This approach will minimise the cutting involved, leading to a more efficient installation and more of the floor on show without breaks.

Just remember… the length of the room by the light of the window.