Why do you have to stagger the joints when laying laminated flooring?

Question

I've worked out that the boards I have will fit with out much cutting. But if I have to staffer the joints then I'll be cutting about 6 boards. I'd rather not stagger the joints as the Boston Beech planks already look as if they are staggered.

Answer 1

If you don't stagger the boards, all the seams will run together and this gives the floor more chance to deterioate (sp?) and come apart at the seams. Staggering makes it stronger just like putting shingles on. Sheetrock on a wall should be staggered also.

Answer 2

If you don't stagger the joints your floor will squeak on every step plus your flooring is not as strong and with the gap on all sides of the room your boards will move.

Answer 3

Yes it is a strength issue but also once the floor is down you will definately notice the boards that were not staggered compared to the ones that were and it wont look right.

Answer 4

Take heed of all the people above,just staffer! the joints

Answer 5

Laminate or similar effectively creates a 'floating floor' if you don't stagger the joints you end up with 2 floating floors in the same room. It won't be long before the uneven weight (weight is NEVER evenly distributed within 1 room) put on these two 'floors' will cause them to become uneven. Chance are an unstaggered/running joint will then start to crease like a piece of folded cardboard. This will be even more pronounced if the underlying floorboards etc are anything but 100% even & level.

I appreciate it's a pain, but it'll end up costing lots more if you don't stagger as the floor won't last 5 minutes.

Answer 6

Partly practical, partly aesthetic. You make a stronger job and avoid creating distracting transverse lines across the finished floor. The boards cut quite easily, and the cut edges disappear into the movement joint round the edge of the room that it is well worth doing.

Answer 7

Because it looks so much better.