The Ontario Building Code | Strip Direction and End Joints
9.30.3.2. Strip Direction and End Joints
(1) wood strip flooring="http://thehandyforce.com/flooring/" title ="Handyman flooring install Toronto">flooring shall not be laid parallel to lumber subflooring="http://thehandyforce.com/flooring/" title ="Handyman flooring install Toronto">flooring unless a separate underlay is provided.
(2) If wood strip flooring="http://thehandyforce.com/flooring/" title ="Handyman flooring install Toronto">flooring is applied without a subfloor, it shall be laid at right angles to the joists so that the end joints are staggered and occur over supports or are end matched.
(3) If the flooring="http://thehandyforce.com/flooring/" title ="Handyman flooring install Toronto">flooring is end matched, it shall be laid so that no two adjoining strips break joints in the same space between supports and each strip bears on no fewer than two supports.
In Plain Language
Strip flooring must be installed with the direction and end joint pattern set out in this article, ensuring a stable, attractive finished floor.
This is a plain-language summary of the 2012/2017 Ontario Building Code text above, for general understanding only and not a substitute for the Code. Always confirm current requirements against the 2024 edition (O.Reg. 163/24) or a qualified professional before construction.