How to Install a Floor in a Rustic Cabin
When you prepare to install a floor in your rustic cabin, the most important decision you're going to make is which type of flooring material will look natural in that setting. You definitely don't want something like vinyl, and even many ceramic tiles may not look right. Rough stone is always an option, but difficult for a homeowner to work with. A wood floor is the perfect solution, and it comes in all kinds styles, including a roughhewn, unfinished look. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Paper flooring underlayment
- Stapler
- Chalk snapline
- Tape measure
- Rough-hewn wood floorboards (unfinished)
- Floor nailer
- Miter saw
- Table saw
Instructions
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1
Lay rows of paper underlayment over the whole floor in courses, overlapping the edges by an inch or two. Hold it down with staples shot every few feet.
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2
Set the starting a line for the floor boards along the longest unobstructed edge of the floor, using your chalk snapline. Position the line half an inch out from the wall.
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3
Set one of the floor boards at one end of the line, so the grooved edge is facing the wall and leaving a half-inch space between the board and the wall.
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4
Use the floor nailer to shoot nails straight down through the top of the board, along both edges of the surface, every foot or so.
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5
Lay a second board off the end of the first one, connecting them by their tongue-and-groove edges. Nail it down as before. Repeat the process for each board, laying the first course along the line.
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6
Cut the last piece on your miter saw as needed.
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7
Lay the next course of floor boards alongside the first, connecting them by their long edges. Use the floor nailer to nail the boards through their sides, rather than the top, shooting the nails at an inward angle just down from the surface.
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Cut the boards of the final course along their lengths, to leave a half-inch space at the ending wall. Floor trim will hide the space.
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