I'm about to start installing two rooms with Anderson Virginia Vintage 1/2" engineered, mixed 3-5-7" widths. I plan to start on a long wall that includes a transition to tile in the foyer. I'll be stapling the floor. Just want to be sure I get this part right.

There's no issue with height, the tile and boards match up dead on.

1. Should I glue the boards at the transition as well as stapling? If so, should I glue that entire first row, so that any movement is consistent along the entire row?

2. Can I butt the plank directly in contact with the tile, or should I leave a gap equal to the tile grout line, then fill the gap with matching caulk or grout?

3. Any tips on installing mixed widths? Particularly on where I may want to use (or not) the widest 7" boards?

Here's a couple of pics of the tile transition:

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/t ... directlink
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/x ... directlink

Thanks....this site, both the forums and main page, have been a great help.

Being your first row, there would be no hard in a combination of a wavy bead of liquid nails and staples. Just make sure that the tile is true to square. With a combination of 3",5",7" I would suggest allowing the expansion gap between the tile and wood flooring equal in width of a grout line and filling with a color matched (to the grout) silicone. As a flooring manufacturer for 20 years we would often promote random widths to improve lumber yield and provide for a more interesting floor, but by default would provide equal lineal footage so you do not run out of one before another. I personally would do a 6 board pattern as the intent is to actually make it look random and your eye can't really pick up a 6 board pattern. 3,7,3,5,7,5 would look great. Note that you are still using equal lineal footage. Keep in mind as well to increase the nailing schedule for the wider planks.

Best regards, Kevin Pennington

Kevin, thank you for the tip on the six board pattern. I am close to installing my floor, Shaw Broadmoor, which has 3,5,7" boards. Was going to use them in that order...never thought about doing a 3 7 3 5 7 5 pattern..I laid the boards out like that and it does give a truly random look. I am going to install them that way. Will look great. Thanks!
Mark

Thx Kevin for the pattern approach. We are abt to install some Virginia Vintage 3/5/7 so the timing is perfect. Thx.