Laminate flooring pattern to use

[tony1975]

Hi, new here so hello to you all, i've just started laying my new laminate, but not cut one piece yet, just ran into a problems, two pictures here, you can see the way the laminate is laid and when i go to lay the third row it doesn't match the first two rows, and the joins will be out if try to make it match, any ideas how to lay this with similar joins all over without wasting loads of flooring, thanks for any help really appreciate it.

[YorkieSelfBuild]

I'm still planning my flooring but one mistake I've seen is having alternate boards lining up, like a stretcher bond brick pattern. You want to make it more random. I guess that's why it's recommended to order 10% more than floor space to allow for this.

[Marvin]

15 minutes ago, YorkieSelfBuild said:

I'm still planning my flooring but one mistake I've seen is having alternate boards lining up, like a stretcher bond brick pattern. You want to make it more random. I guess that's why it's recommended to order 10% more than floor space to allow for this.

Most packs of flooring have lots of info with them with recommendations. As the flooring is made by the manufacturers rather than the retailer the attached instructions are far more important to follow. I use a sealant ( flooring sealant like Clicseal) to joints anywhere where there is water in a room like bathrooms, kitchens and so on. Also I use sealant at entrance ways so when people enter with wet feet it doesn't seep into the flooring. On the last job I sealed all the downstairs flooring because the customer had previously had problems. I would expect this info in the box instructions.

 

The boxes usually have diagrams showing layouts, minimum lengths and so on.

 

Good luck

 

M

[YorkieSelfBuild]

I've seen posts in forums (not here) where the written instructions result in a stretcher brick pattern. That OP asked if it was wrong despite installer following instructions correctly. 

I think it's moot as OP likely already finished their floor

[Super_Paulie]

i mean, wasnt/isnt the obvious answer to just cut a few boards if you want them to match up? probably why there werent any answers as its kinda self explanatory...

[ProDave]

If you want a random pattern with random joints, what I find is you lay the first row, cutting the last board to fit.

 

The offcut  from that is then used to start the next row. Regardless of how long or short it is.

 

As well as zero waste, it gets away from identical joints.

[saveasteading]

Aesthetically I think it should either be completely random or dummy the effect of being over joists, ie all joints line up.

 

The other advantage is that only factory ends are on show.

26 minutes ago, ProDave said:

Regardless of how long or short it is.

I don't think I would use a 50mm end piece or less. 100mm ? But if that is thrown away, then ends line up.

 

It really depends on the room length.

But that raises the matter of the width. The last row probably needs to be cut to width, and is best to remain  a substantial width.