How to Splice a New Wood Floor Into an Old Wood Floor
You love the look of your hardwood floor, and want to install new hardwood in the next room. But you're faced with a problem. The old floor was laid starting at the doorway where you want to add on, leaving the grooved edge where you want to begin your new flooring and need a tongue edge. There is a simple method to butt two grooved edges together and splice a new wood floor to an old wood floor. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hardwood flooring spline, enough to cover exposed edge of floor (available at flooring specialty supply stores)
- Miter saw
- Hardwood floor glue
- Rubber mallet
Instructions
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Cut a piece of spline the same length as the first piece of new wood that will connect to the old floor, using a miter saw. A spine is a thin piece of wood that fits into the grooved edge of a plank of hardwood. Once inserted, the outer edge of the spline will be the same length and thickness of the tongue, giving you a two-tongued plank of wood.
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Run a thin bead of hardwood glue into the groove of the new piece of wood.
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Place the spine into the glued groove immediately, tapping gently into place with a rubber mallet if necessary. Allow it to dry according to the glue manufacturer's directions. You now have a double-tongued piece of wood for your starter row.
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Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of new wood for the connecting row.
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5
Run a bead of glue onto the spline edge of the first new piece of wood.
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Wedge the first piece of new wood into the groove on the exposed edge of old floor, gently tapping the edge with the wet glue into place with a rubber mallet if necessary. The piece is now ready to be nailed through the original tongue, as per normal installation.
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Continue laying the splined starter row as before. You are now ready to install the rest of your new wood floor.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear eye protection when using tools.
