Things You'll Need:
- Underlayment
- Tape measure
- Cut saw
- Pencil
- Pneaumatic floor nailer
- Air compressor
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Step 1
First measure the length and width of the area you want to cover and then multiply to get the square footage. Then purchase your underlayment (felt paper in many cases) and wood flooring. Hint; always add about 10% to the exact amount to cover any screw ups in cutting, etc. Underlayment material such as felt paper or thin foam acts as a sound insulator, moisture barrier, and simple friction control between the wood floor and sub floor.
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Step 2
Next, remove old flooring such as carpet or tile until all that is left is the original sub floor.
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Step 3
Lay out the underlayment material so that the seems line up opposite of the majority of the wood floor. Tack into place using a stapler.
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Step 4
Decide which direction you want the flooring to lay in and begin in the area of most use or traffic. Hint; the 1st course is very important so make sure it is square with the rest of the room. Nothing is worse than a floor lying at an angle to the walls! Begin by simply nailing into the tongue of the flooring and tapping the next piece into place. From here on out it is simply a matter of putting pieces together so that the end seams do not line up any closer than 3-4 inches of the previous course. Leave room on the sides for swelling which is normal. Leave just enough area for the floor molding to cover.
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Step 5
The last several courses will be the most difficult as you may have to face (top) nail them in and it can be tricky fitting them in. Have patience and be prepared to use some ingenuity such as gluing and pry bars! Have fun with it and enjoy the floor for years to come!
