A homeowner in Tacoma told me to just 'eyeball' the plank stagger

I was laying down some laminate in a living room last fall, and the guy kept saying to just make the pattern look random by sight. I explained that using the rule of thirds and keeping joints at least 8 inches apart prevents H-patterns and weak spots. He finally backed off when I showed him a failed floor pic from a job two years ago where they didn't follow spacing. Anyone else have to fight for basic best practices with a customer?

4 comments

4 Comments

emma_rodriguez3021h ago

Watching people argue against basic rules is everywhere now... like my neighbor who refused to measure twice before cutting a shelf and then wondered why it didn't fit. It feels like a weird pride thing, like following a proven method is a personal insult. Showing that picture was the only thing that worked because some folks just won't listen to reason until they see the mess for themselves.

miasanchez16h ago

Ugh but sometimes the rules ARE wrong though. My uncle built decks for years and he always said pressure treated wood needs to sit for months before you stain it, but the new stuff is different. He wasted a whole summer waiting because of an old rule that doesn't even apply anymore.

nina_taylor16h ago

That "weird pride" thing can go both ways though. Alice928's primer guy probably thought he was the one with the new, better rule.

alice92820h ago

Remember that guy who tried to convince me to skip primer on raw drywall? He said paint these days sticks to anything. Had to dig up a photo of paint peeling off in sheets to end that talk.