How to Install Hardwood Flooring with Nails
Installing Hardwood Floors
Using the Nail Method
Introduction:
There are two basic methods
for installing hardwood flooring; the nail down
method and the glue down method. Nailing down
hardwood floors has become the most popular way to
install hardwood floors. The nail down method is
straight forward where most DIY homeowners can
install their own hardwood floors. It isn't
difficult and after the first couple of rows are
down you will be quite proficient.
The nail down method for
installing hardwood flooring can be accomplished by
anyone who can swing a hammer, measure accurately
and is a little persistent, patient, and willing to
try challenging tasks.
The most critical part of the task is to
constantly clean up to insure no dirt, sawdust or
other debris gets caught in between the grooves or
under the boards. The actual nailing is done by a
pneumatic nail gun using special nails that come
with the gun.
Hardwood floor installation
tips:
The pneumatic hardwood nailing
tool can’t reach near obstacles or walls because
there isn’t enough space to swing the striking
mallet. These places will have to be nailed using a
hammer or small nail gun.
Each board should fit
perfectly tight together to avoid gaps between
them. At the end of each row of boards the last
board will have to be cut to fit. In addition any
fixtures in the room will also have to be cut
around.
All of the furniture and
obstacles that can be removed from the room should
be removed before starting to install hardwood
flooring. For those fixtures built into the floor
of the room the hardwood will have to be fitted
around them. All
door sills, baseboards, doorway trim and carpets
will have to be removed.
Use a felt floor liner to cover the subfloor
to smooth out any bumps.
Laying the flooring:
-
Begin by putting the
first board in the corner of the room where you
have decided to start the flooring. The grooves
should be toward the wall and the tongues should be
toward the room.
Start adding boards
end to end too make a row. The last board will need
trimming to fit tightly. Use a circular saw to cut
the board.
Use a drill to make
pilot holes as necessary for hand nailing along the
edge or the end of the board where the pneumatic
nail tool will not fit.
Use the leftover
piece that you cut off for the starting piece for
the next row.
Continue installing
the boards in the same way through the remaining
rows. Use a rubber mallet as necessary to make the
boards and rows tight.
The last board is
the hardest one to get into place. Carefully
measure and cut the board to fit.
Clean the floor and
the job is complete.
Installing hardwood flooring
with nails is the easiest method. The other method
is to use the glue method which is a little messier
and more difficult.
Related articles:
How to Install Hardwood
Flooring with Glue
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