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Installing a prefinished hardwood floor — the way the pros do it!

Written by Posted On Wednesday, 19 June 2019 21:50
hardwood floor hardwood floor

The most popular types flooring (wood)  use a tongue-and-groove system to connect adjacent boards. This arrangement allows for a solid connection between boards, sort of like locking the boards into each other. Many systems are nailed down too, but others use glue to secure strips together. The glue method is called a floating floor because the flooring literally lays or floats on a thin cushioned pad. You can find complete installation instructions for a floating floor at home centers and flooring stores. This article shows you the general steps for installing a nailed-down wood floor on a wood subfloor and underlayment.

Begin the installation at the longest wall and follow these steps:

1. Place 1/2 inch temporary spacers between the first board and the wall to allow for seasonal expansion of the flooring.

2. Nail the first board to the underlayment at the wall by using 7d finish nails.

3. Continue installing boards, applying carpenter's glue to the grooved edge of each piece of flooring just before installing it onto the adjacent piece.

4. To mark the last plant or the first course for cutting, turn it so that the tongue along the edge of the board is against the wall. You'll turn the plank to match the others after you cut it to length.

5. Mark the turned board and cut it to length. If you're cutting with a circular saw, turn the decorative face of the board down to avoid splintering.

6. Turn the cut board into the correct installation position and install it at the end of the row.

7. Secure the tongue side of this row to the underlayment with 7d finish nails. Drive the nails at a 45-degree angle through the tongue. Be careful not to split the tongue.

8. Begin the next row with the leftover piece of the cut board. Just make sure that the piece is at least 8 inches long. If it isn't, use another board, but make sure that the first joints of each row of boards are staggered for a good-looking appearance and to keep a minimum of 8 inches of plank length between the joints.

9. Place a scrap piece of flooring against the tongue of the board to act as a buffer board and tap the boards together with a hammer before nailing. The block keeps the hammer from damaging the tongue. The easiest and fastest way to nail wood flooring is with a power flooring nailer, an angled nailer that drives the size nail through the tongue at the correct angle and depth. Use one as soon as you are far enough away from the wall to fit it against the course being installed.

10. Continue this process to complete the Job. You may need to cut the final row of boards lengthwise or rip them to fit because not every room's width exactly accommodates the various widths of flooring. Remember to leave a 12-inch expansion gap on this side of the room, too. It's best to rip a long board with a table saw, but you can use a circular saw. If you do use a circular saw, use a saw guide to keep your cut line straight. A length of 1 x 4 board clamped to the flooring works well as a cutting guide.

11. Install base molding. 

When you must fit a board around a corner or an irregular shape, such as a doorway, you need to measure the length and depth of the obstruction that will protrude into the board. Use a combination square for accurate measurements. Then remove the marked area with a hand-powered coping saw or a jigsaw (motorized).
Doorways can be a problem because the door's jamb and casing (trim) extend to the underlayment. The best looking and easiest approach is to cut off the bottom of the jamb and trim by using a flush-cut saw or hand-saw. Place the saw on top of a scrap piece of flooring as you complete the cut. This spacer; template ensures a straight cut and one that removes just the right amount.

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James Brian

James Brian is a Civil Engineer who love to help home owners to know the basics and become someone who have the knowledge to take care of their properties on their own. He also love to share his experience and knowledge with others.

https://civilseek.com
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