I am replacing carpet in formal LR/DR with pre-finished engineering hardwood, and the room adjoins to foyer which is existing hardwood. Rather than refinishing the rest of the house, I plan to install different, but complimentary, engineered wood in the LR (e.g. darker color to match the grain of the lighter colored existing wood).

My questions, for someone so kind to offer advice, are:

1. Do you think I should run the new hardwood perpendicular to the existing floor, or parallel? I don't think there is an issue with structural soundness, just personal preference. I guess I'm curious YOUR preference?

2. My existing floor is 3/4" thick from the subfloor. If I purchase 7/16" engineered (thinking about floating with "Easy Click") plus an underlayment, do you think the floors will mate up at exact same height? Would 3/8" be better (that option wouldn't be "Easy Click" but that's ok)?

3. Finally, I would prefer to NOT use a transition T-mold between the floors. That's the reason for question #2, as to avoid the T piece the two woods would need to be the exact same height. Also, if I use "Easy Click" then I suppose I would need to "trim" the tongues of the new wood to fit into the existing woods grooves at the room/room junction?

Sorry so long, and thanks in advance for any advice! -r

I've never been fond of two different types of floors connecting to one another. If it was going in a master bedroom it wouldn't bother me. But being a main focal point and having a traditional floor against a new floating floor to me seems "cheapish." I wonder if any potential home buyer down the road will feel the same?

You will need some sort of transition if you choose the floating click floor because they're not designed to mate with other floors the way you describe. Does the rest of the house really need to be refinished if you did go with something that matches the dimensions of the existing hardwood?

Thanks. Makes sense. What is your opinion about me using real hardwood in the new space, but (1) prefinished so that I can install myself and (2) different wood, color because I'm sure I can't find an exact match and I don't want to refinish rest of house. If I go that route do you think a transition piece is needed?
Thanks again, russell