Wood Floor Glue Vs. Nail Down
Wood floors are an excellent way to add quality and warmth to a room, and many homeowners switch to wood floors to increase the value of their houses. Many hardwoods are available to choose from, including oak, maple, cherry and even bamboo, but only a few options exist for installing them. The two most common installation options for natural hardwood are gluing and nailing. Does this Spark an idea?
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Glue
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When using the gluing method, you spread out a layer of glue over the subfloor and slide the hardwood into place. The glue can be spread out to accommodate several boards at once, so gluing can go quickly, but some glues work better than others, depending on material. Installers consider urethane glues the most dependable. Wood floors that are designed to be glued down are typically thinner and therefore less expensive than wood floors that are nailed down.
Nails
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Nailed hardwood floors are driven into place with nails that pierce the hardwood planks and enter the subfloor. Nail-based hardwood floors are thicker than glued versions, which can raise the price for some varieties. In addition, the ability to maneuver the wood after it has been nailed diminishes.
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Preparation
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For both glued and nailed floors, the subfloor must be carefully cleaned before the project is begun. With nailed hardwood floors, nail holes must often be drilled into the planks before they are nailed into the subfloor, adding extra time to the project. Glued boards interlock without the need for any preparation beyond laying down the glue layer with a trowel.
Experience Required
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Typically, homeowners make more mistakes trying to install glue wood floors than any other kind of flooring. Glue is a significant variable, and the wrong kind of glue, the wrong amount of glue, glue spread the wrong way or a subfloor that has not been properly cleaned can ruin the project. Nailed versions are easier for homeowners who want to do the project themselves.
Subfloor Requirements
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When hardwood floors are glued down, the subfloor is especially important and should be carefully cleaned. Nailed versions must have a certain amount of subfloor to nail into in order to hold the borders properly. At least 3/4-inch of plywood must be available to nail down into.
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References
- Photo Credit texture of a natural wood image by Sergey Galushko from Fotolia.com
