Just curious - flooring query

aliasojo

This may well be different for plank flooring since you can lay and lift individual boards if need be, but for the 8' x 2' chipboard or even ply board type flooring, you are supposed to lay the boards so that the joins are staggered, to give more strength.

Now, most houses will not have the original untouched flooring they started off with. The floor will have been cut and lifted for plumbing or electrical reasons etc. When a plumber lifts a floor, he'll cut through the floor in a straight line, he wont stagger the cut obviously.

So, given that loads of floors end up with their joins level anyway, does it really make that much difference if they aren't staggered when installed, especially in smaller areas? They get screwed down and walls are built over them so it's not like they're going anywhere.

My floors are terrible, thanks to various services being installed over the years. I have sections that consist solely of several 600mm squares. :rolleyes: I'm replacing the bathroom and top hallway flooring and have just spent some time working out where's the best place to have the (staggered)joins and then I thought how ironic it would be if at some point, a plumber or electrician came back and cut it in a straight line again. :rolleyes:

missile

A poorly laid floor is unlikely to collapse but you may find it is less stable and squeaks when you walk over it.