I usually set layout to false globally, so I know exactly what layout I use where (so no default layout):
app.set('view options', { layout: false });
Then in my routes I can set a layout per route like so:
res.render('my_page', { layout: 'my_layout' });
Keywords
expressjs , express.js , expressjs , nodejs , node.js
References
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/8790891/layouts-in-expressjs