Hi all. I'm new in town.

I'm about to start laying QuickStep 950 flooring (the stuff with the v grooves down the side but not the ends) in the hall. The hall has 3 arms forming a T-shape.

I'd like to keep the direction of the boards along each part of the hall, but this means that I've got to have a change of direction for one of the arms (with me so far?).

I was considering a couple of options. The first is to use a profile to cover the join. Simple & effective, but not so good to look at.  

The second idea I had was to join the boards together in a staggered point. I reckon with a bit of jiggery pokery with router I can get the various joints to lock together, assisted with some glue.  

The question is would this work? Or would differential expansion along the width and length of the boards pull it all to bits or leave me with an uneven floor?

Any comments gratefully received.

Hi

Im with Keith on this one.  I would go for your first option and use a profile to cover the join with expansion gap under it.

I don't think the staggered join would look as good unless you got it spot on and you would still have the problem Woodsmith explained.

Just my opinion

Jase
Coggy

i as jase and keith  would expect i agree with them

about the expansion what is the total length of each leg !!!!!!!!
you need about 3 or 4mm expansion per 1 m so imagine the "T" as a square room then work out the clearence required

this only a rough guide as i have never seen the specific laminate you mention

you can if the area is small get away without a strip
if its larger you can lay it but you are risking expansion problens

now if your fairly good with your tools you can lay it complete and when [if]it lifts cut out an 8mm expansion gap and cover with a screw down strip
having said that if you try a blade to cut youll need to wedge it open as you cut to stop it binding

good luck