Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - "U" layout to flipped "U" and maintain alingment
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fujimook
05-26-09, 05:10 AM
I need to complete a hardwood floor that was partially installed several years ago. Looking at the layout, the existing floor is “U shaped”. The kitchen is one leg of the “U”. Part of a long hall would be the other leg of the “U”. and the bottom of the “U” is a short foyer area. This is all continuous hardwood strips running parallel to the bottom of the “U”.
The layout of the floor needing to be completed will be a flipped over “U shape”. One leg of the “flipped U” is the dining room. The other leg is a continuation of the hall. and the base of the “flipped U” is a landing at the top of 2 sets of steps; one set of stairs going down to the basement, one set on the other side going into a sunken living room.
My problems are:
If I begin at the existing flooring and work up both legs of the base of the “flipped U”, how do I make sure the strips are lined up properly when they meet at the base of the “flipped U” AND how do I insure the top step nosings for both sets of steps are properly positioned for the top steps?
If I start at the base of the “flipped U” to make be sure of the top stair nosings positioning, how do I join the new floor to the old since both tongues would meet? Do I cut off the tongue where new meets old, cut a groove and top nail?
Thank you.
john
The layout of the floor needing to be completed will be a flipped over “U shape”. One leg of the “flipped U” is the dining room. The other leg is a continuation of the hall. and the base of the “flipped U” is a landing at the top of 2 sets of steps; one set of stairs going down to the basement, one set on the other side going into a sunken living room.
My problems are:
If I begin at the existing flooring and work up both legs of the base of the “flipped U”, how do I make sure the strips are lined up properly when they meet at the base of the “flipped U” AND how do I insure the top step nosings for both sets of steps are properly positioned for the top steps?
If I start at the base of the “flipped U” to make be sure of the top stair nosings positioning, how do I join the new floor to the old since both tongues would meet? Do I cut off the tongue where new meets old, cut a groove and top nail?
Thank you.
john
njnorsky
05-26-09, 11:57 AM
What about doing the dining room on a 45 degree angle, keep the hallway and landing 'straight' ?? Just a thought. May also add some visual interest to the dining room.
chandler
05-26-09, 04:20 PM
Welcome to the forums! Not seeing what you have puts us at a disadvantage, but I would start at the point where the wood leaves off. Purchase a group of reversing splines from a local flooring supplier. They aren't cheap, but it turns the groove of your flooring into a tongue, giving you the go ahead to move in the other direction. We do it in closets, etc, where we have to change direction. Let us know if we can help.
fujimook
05-26-09, 04:52 PM
I know this is tough without actually seeing what I'm talking about. Larry, coming off the existing wood would not require a spline since whoever laid the floor just left the tongue on. Actually, when I did several rooms in my house, the flooring guy gave me about 7 or 8 at no charge for my closets and butting up to existing hall flooring.
Andrew, i do like the idea of 45ing the dining room. Not sure if they would want to do it but it's an idea. Thanks to you both.
john
Andrew, i do like the idea of 45ing the dining room. Not sure if they would want to do it but it's an idea. Thanks to you both.
john
chandler
05-26-09, 07:15 PM
Good deal. I just paid $1 a foot for 4 pieces. I misread your post, as I was imagining the groove as leading. I just got through laying about 900 sf for a customer. I would start where the tongue is and continue. A decorative part would be nice, but don't forget you will have to cut grooves wherever they intersect. A real pita without a tenoning jig.