CRAFT Floor Installation Guide: Handling 1-Foot Starter Pieces

CRAFT woodworkers and artisans always work hard to maximize the average plank length of our floors. One of the limitations we face, however, is the length of the lumber we receive from our valued mill partners. Another limitation is the fact that all of our regular length planks must be nested into our standard 8’ boxes. The issue arises when we receive lumber that results in a 7’ finished plank length. The only way to include these 7’ boards into our standard length box is to nest them together with 1’ lengths, resulting in a combined length of 8’ that fits perfectly into our standard length boxes. Thus, 1’ lengths will only occur then they are matched up with a 7’ board.

At CRAFT, we strive to limit the amount of 7’ + 1’ combinations as best we can. However, it is not uncommon to find at least one 7’ + 1’ combination per box. The maximum that we allow is two rows of 7’ + 1’ per box.

Under no circumstances should an installer allow 1’ lengths to be installed in areas where they can be easily seen. The best place to use them is as the starter piece or end piece in some of the rows. Another place where 1’ boards are actually useful is for small spaces such as closets or pantries. If an installation does not have a lot of small spaces such as closets, then the installer should consider putting the 1’ boards under cabinetry or other places where they will not be easily seen. Finally, if it turns out that all the 1’ boards cannot be used as starter pieces, used in closets or under cabinetry, they nonetheless should not be used and should be considered to be part of the minimum 5% waste that is allowed for wide-plank hardwood installations under NWFA rules.

Given the fact that for a CRAFT floor, 1’ boards should never be installed in areas where they can be easily seen, in the event that all of the 1’ boards cannot be used as starter pieces, in closets or under cabinets, it is strongly recommended to increase the waste factor from the standard 5% to 6% or 7% when doing the material takeoff. This may result in needing to order an extra box of flooring.