Layout Question

Brett2311 · 01-01-2012, 02:49 PM

I am putting hardwood in a bi-level home. The stairs come up to a hall way area in the centre of the house with the kitchen on one side and the living room behind, the hardwood will run through both of these rooms.

My question is: With the bullnose on the top stair, how do I ensure that the bullnose will be a full piece and blend natuarly in with the rest of the room? Do I run my chalk line parallel to the top of the stairs and have my first row start in the middle then work outwards? Dry fit it like tiles and start from a wall? Measure, do the math and work from the wall? Just trim the bullnose when I get there? Any help would be appriciated.

gatorheel · 01-01-2012, 04:23 PM

I had a similar situation where I had a spot in the middle of the room where I needed the corner of a board to hit exactly (link: Prep & Install Salvaged Heart Pine Floor). The solution I used was to lay that board first and then rip down some scrap wood to insert into the groove in that first board to make it double-tongued. I then laid the floor in both directions from that starter board. If you're certain you want/need a full board for the bullnose (which, if nothing else might be important just do you don't end up with a 1" bullnose course) I'd do the same in your situation.

Matt