Straight lay at 90°: running your planks the right way

Straight patterns · 5 min read · updated 5 November 2026 · Written by Tilelico

The same grid, turned a quarter turn: nothing changes in principle, but everything changes to the eye. Plank direction lengthens or widens a room, and it also changes the number of cuts.

Real example · calculated by Tilelico

Hall of 4.20 × 3.60 m, 20 × 120 cm, 2 mm joint

WholeCutCut under 100 mmStaircase

In this hall the planks run from left to right and the central staircase interrupts them across its whole width. No cut is narrow, but waste is high because these long planks are often cut into. Try the regular straight lay in the editor to compare both directions.

Calculated result

Room area: 15.12 m²
Area covered: 13.35 m²
Whole pieces: 30
Cut pieces: 56
Actual need: 86
To order (+10%): 95
Waste with no offcut reuse: 35.3 %
Narrow cuts: 0

Most frequent cuts

56 cuts in 13 different sizes.

C01 · 200 × 297 mm× 16
C02 · 200 × 295 mm× 16
C03 · 200 × 1,200 mm× 4
C04 · 200 × 903 mm× 4

Setting out and products

Starting point 3,903 mm from the west wall and -3,654 mm from the north wall, then a 202 × 1,202 mm repeat. Estimated products: 47 kg of adhesive and 2.0 kg of grout.

Reproduce it in Tilelico

1Draw a 4.20 × 3.60 m rectangle, then add in the centre: Staircase.
2Choose the covering: 20 × 120 cm, 2 mm joint.
3Select the “Straight at 90°” pattern.
4Set the distribution to “Balanced cuts” and the margin to 10%.

Open this example in the editor

When to choose it

It only matters for elongated pieces. On a square tile, turning the grid by 90° does not change the pattern.

Best forHallways, where you follow the passage, and rooms where planks should point towards the main light.
Avoid ifThat direction forces long edge cuts that the other direction avoids: always compare both.

Continue with: Straight tile laying: the complete guide, with a real example →

Preparing the job

Look at where the light comes from and where people enter: these are the two usual criteria for direction.

Check flatness: on long planks, an imperfect substrate quickly shows up as lippage.

Continue with: Third-offset tile laying: the reference for long sizes →

Step by step

Step 1 — Choose the directionCompare both orientations in the editor with the same settings, looking at the number of cuts as well as the look.
Step 2 — Mark the main axisSnap a line parallel to the planks, checked against the reference wall.
Step 3 — Lay the first runIt sets the alignment of all the others: take the time to adjust it with a straightedge.
Step 4 — Check plank endsIn a straight lay, end joints line up from run to run: check them regularly.
Step 5 — Finish with the cutsCut each end to size, keeping the factory edge on the joint side.

Continue with: Laying wood-effect tile: offset, joint and direction →

Mistakes to avoid

Choosing the direction on paper onlyDry-laying a few planks in the room shows what a plan cannot.
Forgetting continuity between roomsChanging direction at a doorway creates a break that has to be intentional and cleanly marked.

These pointers describe common practice, not imposed rules. The data sheet for your covering and for your installation products always takes precedence, and measurements taken on site are the reference.

Frequently asked questions

Should planks run along the length of the room?

It is common because it lengthens the space, but light and traffic can justify the opposite. No direction is imposed.

Does a 90° lay use more material?

It depends on the room: dimensions fall differently on the size. Only a calculation on your own measurements can tell.

Technical references

This guide describes common installation practices. It does not replace applicable technical documents, manufacturer instructions or measurements taken on site.