Which direction to lay vinyl plank in an L-shaped room
Run the planks the same way through both parts of the L. Changing direction at the corner needs a transition strip there, and the change shows. Choose the direction as you would for a rectangle: along the longer part, toward the main window, or across an old plank floor if your instructions ask for that. When the two parts point different ways, let the larger or more visible part decide, and the smaller part runs across.
Then compare the cuts. The rows in each part of the L have different lengths, and how those lengths fall against your plank length decides how many planks are cut, how many offcuts go into later rows and how much is left over.
Worked example: the same L, two directions
Take the L-shape the planner opens with: 15' × 12' with a 9' × 7' 6" corner cut out, which leaves 112.5 sq ft of floor. With its default plank, LifeProof Essential Oak (7.1" × 47.6", 8 to a box, 18.7 sq ft), a 3/8" expansion gap and an 8" shortest end piece and stagger, the two directions give:
| Direction | Planks | Cuts | Waste | Boxes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lengthwise | 51 | 41 | 7.4% | 7 (5 spare) |
| Widthwise | 54 | 52 | 12.6% | 7 (2 spare) |
By square footage, 112.5 ÷ 18.7 rounds up to 7 boxes, and 7 with a 10% waste factor. Both directions fit in 7 boxes here, but widthwise takes 3 more planks and 11 more cuts, leaves 2 spare planks instead of 5, and the waste goes from 7.4% to 12.6%.
The difference is different for every room and plank, which is why it pays to compare both directions with your own measurements.
Where the rows meet the inside corner
The inside corner is where an L-shaped floor goes wrong. The row that passes the corner is notched around it: part of the plank runs on into the longer part, and part stops at the wall. If the row lines fall badly, that row can be only a thin strip on one side of the corner.
Check the first and last rows in both parts, not just across the room as a whole. PlankBuddy plans the rows of both parts together and warns you when a strip will be narrower than the minimum row width you enter. When it is, ripping the first row to a different width moves every row line, including the one at the corner. See last row too narrow.
Measure an L-shaped room
- Measure the full length and width of the room, wall to wall, through both parts of the L.
- Measure the corner that is cut out: how far it runs along the length and along the width.
- Check that the walls are square. Measure each part corner to opposite corner both ways; if the two measurements differ, plan with the smallest measurements and mark the cuts from the walls on site.
- Note which corner is cut out. In the planner you choose the corner, and the preview shows the shape.
One floor or two: transitions in an L
A floating floor must be able to move. Installation instructions give the largest floor allowed without a transition, and some call for one where a room narrows, such as the neck of an L or a doorway. If yours call for one at the corner, plan each part as its own room with its own expansion gap and cover the break with a T-molding. If they allow one continuous floor, install through the corner and leave the expansion gap at every wall, including both walls of the inside corner.
Staggering the joints in both parts
The rows in the shorter part of the L are short, so there is less room to move an end joint along. Check the stagger where a long row and a short row sit side by side, too. Enter the minimum stagger and shortest end piece from your instructions, and the plan keeps to them in every row; see how to stagger vinyl plank flooring.
Boxes for an L-shaped room
A square footage calculator treats an L like a rectangle of the same area, but an L has more walls and so more cut planks. Count the boxes from the layout plan instead: the planks it uses, divided by the planks per box, rounded up. See how many boxes of flooring you need for more room sizes.
What the plan does not do
PlankBuddy plans straight rows of one plank length. It does not lay out patterned or random-length floors. A room with more than one corner cut out can be entered as a complex shape.
Common questions about L-shaped rooms
Which direction should vinyl plank run in an L-shaped room?
One direction through both parts, usually along the longer part of the L or toward the main window. In the example room, running the planks widthwise took 3 more planks and 11 more cuts than lengthwise, so compare both before you cut.
Do I need a transition strip in an L-shaped room?
Only if your installation instructions call for one, for example when a run is longer than the largest floor allowed without a transition, or where the room narrows. Otherwise install one continuous floor through the corner with the expansion gap at every wall.
What waste factor should I use for an L-shaped room?
Usually more than for a rectangle of the same size, because an L has more walls and more cut rows. In the example room the plan's waste was 7.4% lengthwise and 12.6% widthwise. Count the boxes from your own plan, then add the overage your manufacturer or store recommends.
See also which direction to lay vinyl plank flooring in hallways and small rooms, or the full vinyl plank layout for a rectangular room.