Greetings all -

I did some research on the internet before posting and and noticed this site is popular with talent, decide to sign up and ask my question.

I am home a owner (DIYer), please bear with me as I ask my question and grasp the terminology.

We're planning on installing about 1400Sq ft of hardwood flooring, so I have been on the hunt for some great deals. I finally found a gentalman locally that has the color and the price. The wood is birch pre-stained, the dimensions are 5/8 X 31/4 by 3ft. All the boards are the same length, 3 feet.

My question is what's the best way to install flooring with the same length? I want to avoid the common issues such as the "H" pattern and the "Steps" pattern if I can.

Would love to hear some ideas and suggestions... The biggest room we have is 18X20 and will be the starting point.

Thank you.

If you want to avoid the “step” appearance, here is one way to start. For the first four rows you lay, you’ll need to cut specific lengths for your ‘starter’ pieces.

One of the starters will be a full three-foot piece—use that for your first row against the wall. When you get that row established, put the cut piece on the end aside for the moment. You can use it for a starter later on.

Cut a one-foot piece to use for your next starting board. Lay your next row.
Again, put the cut piece on the end aside. (You'll put all four cut pieces aside temporarily, unless they happen to match the lengths you need.)

Cut a two-foot piece for the third starter board, and cut a 6-inch piece for the fourth starter. This gives you a set-up that will avoid “H” patterns, and keep the joints roughly 6” apart. With all three-footers, these four sizes (3’, 2’ 1’ and 6”) are your best options.

Since the rest of your bundles are all 3-foot pieces, it’s easy to keep the pattern intact as you’re installing. Keep in mind, though, that some of the boards will be slightly less than 3 feet, and some slightly more. You’ll have to keep an eye on what you’re placing in the pattern, to keep the joints at 6” spacing on adjacent courses.

After you get these first four rows established, then you can start using the cut pieces from the right-hand side of the room as “starter” boards on the left hand side of the room.

You'll probably end up having to do some "step" patterns if you want to avoid "H" joints, though.