Hi folks,

I'm preparing to do a floating install of engineered hardwood in a condo, and I could use some advice on layout and where to start. Floor plan is here: [img=http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/4097/01unitx.jpg]

The plan is to run hardwood in all rooms except the bathrooms. I am also thinking that I may do stone tile in the entry section (but have hardwood in the "hall" connecting all the bedrooms and the living/dining area.

As I see it, my main options are left-right or up-down (in the diagram). left-right would run parallel with the length of the hall, which I believe would look quite nice, but then entry into the 2 bedrooms in the middle would not look so natural? If I go up-down, then the middle bedrooms are good but not the hallway.

Either way, the 45 degree angles in the kitchen/living/dining area are going to be work.

Is it safe to try and have a single floating floor run the entire left-right (from the living/dining room through the hallway into the master bedroom) length without breaking it up with an expansion gap? If I did put a gap, I'd do in the master bedroom doorway.

I was also thinking I could put transitions in the doorways to the middle bedrooms, allowing me to change direction. Or do you think it would look better to avoid the transitions and keep it one piece?

Where should I start? Assuming a transition gap at the master bedroom doorway, I'm thinking to start in the hallway at the master bedroom end and work my way towards the living/dining area..

This is my first time doing this, so all advice is much appreciated!

thanks,
ken

There will be instructions with your material regarding maximum span without transitions. Follow them, they vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.
My person thoughts are since you will most likely need transitions at all doorways, a change of direction into the bedrooms is fine. In fact, although I did not need transitions in my own home (nail-down) I changed the direction of the floor in all rooms running off the upper hall simply to define the spaces. My personal preference only.