Glue Down Hardwood Flooring Vs. Nail Down Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood flooring can change the look of a home dramatically. Choose the best type of installation based on the conditions within your home and your willingness and ability to work with hardwood flooring. Does this Spark an idea?
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Installation Procedure
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Gluing down hardwood flooring does not require additional tools to install. Installers use a trowel to spread hardwood flooring adhesive onto the subfloor. Installers must be proficient with a pneumatic or manual nailer for nailed down hardwood flooring installation.
Installation Pitfalls
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Aligning the planks is essential for both methods. Installers will damage hardwood floors if they hit the wood instead of the nail while hammering the planks into place. Installers cannot spread more glue on the floor than they can use before the glue dries. Installers must verify that the subfloor has the proper moisture level or the adhesive will not bond properly.
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Subfloor Suitability
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Gluing down hardwood flooring will work over most types of subfloors. You must install nailed down hardwoods over a wood subfloor.
Floor Types
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Install only engineered hardwood with the glue method. Do not use glue on solid hardwood because the adhesive will prevent the hardwood from undergoing its natural process of expansion and contraction.
Cost
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Both the glue and nail methods are similarly priced for basic installation. Costs vary according to special circumstances, such as improper moisture level for glued down jobs. Also, prices fluctuate based on the type of hardwood selected.
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