3 Ways to Install Hardwood Flooring

By Sandy

Posted on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 5:17 AM

3 Ways to Install Hardwood Flooring

There are three primary methods for installing hardwood floors:

Nail down, glue down and floating. All three methods can be used by a skilled Do-It-Yourselfer, although professional installation, especially for hardwood, is recommended.

Nail Down

Nailing hardwood flooring planks directly to the subfloor is the most common installation method for hardwood flooring. This method requires the use of fasteners and a specially angled nail gun. Boards are nailed through the tongue which then remains invisible once the groove of the next board is installed.

Glue Down

Using water-based, solvent-based or moisture curing compounds, the floor is actually glued directly onto the subfloor. Today’s hardwood adhesives are generally free of volatile organic compounds. Careful though, different species and products have different adhesive requirements.

Floating

This method is called a floating floor because the boards are generally glued to one another rather than to the subfloor. This also makes it especially good when used over an existing floor.

- Sandy