I'm getting ready to install 3 1/4" Shaw engineered oak flooring in the dining room, foyer, kitchen, and hallway. We want to install the floor on a 45 degree angle throughout. Most of the information that I have read suggests starting in the middle w/ a long board and adding a spline to avoid bowing. Is this necessary w/ the size of my rooms and flooring? I was thinking about starting in the dining room, but wasn't sure how to join it w/ the foyer, hallway, and kitchen. Would I also have to have a longboard in the foyer or kitchen since I will be on a 45 degree angle. I was wondering what your thoughts were on the best way to install this flooring. This will be my first flooring project. Thanks in advance for helping.

The challenge you are going to face is in keeping the flooring in perfect line between the kitchen and the hallway around the carpeted living room.

From what you've shown, I imagine that the 45-degree approach will be less forgiving to the eye if it does not match. Since the brain associates lines together when they are in the same view, you will probably notice if the lines don't match.

I have placed porcelain tile at a 45-degree in a bathroom with great effect. I would not do the same with flooring; I just don't think the effect is all that great, unless perhaps the flooring is wide planking and you're going for a rustic look.

Don't forget that if you ever want to sell the house someday, people generally expect flooring to line up with the walls.

That being said, I believe you could lay the flooring any way you want, as long as everything lines up.

Good luck with the install!

I don't have any advice on the actual diagonal installation except that I hope you ordered at least 15% waste factor as diagonal floors eat up wood like crazy. I agree with the previous poster that this might not be a good idea for resale.