Installing hardwood in adjoining room in the opposite direction

Q: We have a hardwood kitchen floor that runs one way and we want to put a hardwood floor in the family room next to it. To match the rest of the house the new family room floor will run the opposite direction of the kitchen floor. How bad will that look?

A: I don’t consider this would look bad at all.  In fact I have at times suggested this as a good option.  It provides a distinct separation in different parts of the house.  If one area takes a lot more wear and requires attention it can receive that attention without it affecting the other rooms.  Just keep in mind that, as a rule of thumb the floor should run across the floor joists, not parallel to them.

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