How to properly install Hardwood Floors

Member

By PTLHardwoods
User-Submitted Article

Article Rating:

(1 Ratings)

Learn the proper techniques to successfully install your own hardwood floor.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Table saw
Chop saw
pencil
tape measure
hammer
nail punch
utility knife
hardwood floor nailer
rubber mallet
hardwood floor nails/staples
chaulk line
safety glasses
aquabar underlayment paper

Step 1

ACCLIMATE, ACCLIMATE, ACCLIMATE! Most wood floor issues come from a lack of proper acclimation. Place the wood flooring in the room it is to be installed for a minimum of 2 weeks.
Step 2

Start with a clean flat wood subfloor. Hardwood flooring should be laid perpendicular to the floor joists. Roll out Aquabar paper (red rosin paper does not have any moisture retarding abilities) making sure to overlap by 4". Snap a line, at a mark that will be the front of the board, parallel to your longest wall allowing for a 1/2" expansion space. (Make sure to leave a 1/2" expansion space all around the room.)
Step 3

Lay out your first row of flooring along your line. Predrill and blind nail, with 1-3/4" hardwood flooring cleats, through the tongue 2" from the end and 8-10" in between (no more no less!) Put in your following rows always nailing into the tongue. Predrill and blind nail your last couple of rows. Make sure to stagger end joints by at least 6". Avoid a pattern.

Comments

samuelsmith10 said

Flag This Comment

on 7/18/2009 If you are learning to install hardwood flooring, there is a very helpful website that I have bookmarked. It's www.oakfloorinstallation.com It provides great tips on pitfalls and problems you might face and talks about acclimation, undercutting the door jamb, preping the subfloor, testing moisture content, etc. Check it out!