Ask the Experts: Diagonal Hardwood Flooring

Question: Can you give me any pointers on installing your hardwood flooring on a diagonal???? This is a bedroom with two door ways, one meeting tile the other going into a living area which will get hardwood down the road. Thanks for any pointers!!!!!

Sincerely,
-Charlie

Answer: Installing wood in a diagonal or 45 degree pattern is quite a task. The most important thing is to take your time in plumming out the room.

The easiest way to get your 45 degree angle is to go to the corner of the room (with a 90 degree angle) and measure three feet from the corner of the wall down the edge of the wall. Make a mark as close to the wall as possible. Staying in the same corner, measure three feet down the other (adjourning) wall, and make your next mark as close to that wall as possible. Now plum a line to both marks and this should form a triangle in that corner. This will give you a 45 degree angle and this should also be your starting point.

This is a pretty tough task, and since there’s no way I can cover everything in one paragraph, feel free to call me with any other questions. You can also go to www.nofma.com for pictures and more details.

Thanks!
-Mike Jones