What is the best direction to lay laminate flooring in a long L shaped upstairs hall?
I wouldnt lay laminate flooring in the upstairs hall, you will be hard pushed to create a nice finish as you get to the final tread of the stairs. And as you will have to fit some kind of rail this will pose as a bit of a trip hazard at the top of the stairs. I guess, depending on the orientation of the hall and stairs you could continue the carpet over the top tread or bare wood flooring if thats whats down and have the laminate start back from the stair well.
