We have a tongue and groove hardwood floor (not engineered or laminate). We would like to lay it ourselves and save some money. I thought we had to use a nailer, but am wondering if we can glue it instead? We are going to lay down felt and I saw a video on DIY network that showed showed them using glue on the tongue and grooves instead of nails. Does anyone know if this will work? Any good websites, videos or books? Thank you.
2006-09-11 14:55:29 · 8 answers · asked by Margie 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
If you're going to hand nail it, DON'T use finish nails. There is a reason that flooring nails have been used for a couple of hundred years; they work. Flooring nailers are a semi-recent invention.
To nail by hand, use cut nails. Just hammer them in til you get close to the flooring, and use the next nail, turned sideways, as your nail-set.
You cannot glue full-thickness hardwood. The wood has to expand and contract both laterally and longitudinally as humidity varies throughout the year. Gluing will cause buckles or break the tongues as the floor moves. That's one reason that only one edge is nailed. The other is free to move.
Just rent the nailer and mallet and do it right. They have pneumatic nailers now that don't have to be whacked as hard as a mechanical nailer. The whacking also serves to drive the boards together, though. Don't worry about hitting the joists, you'll spend too much time finding just the right board. It's not necessary.
Leave at least a 3/8" space all around walls to allow for expansion. Don't nail any trim through the floor, that defeats the expansion gap.
Check often to see if the last board will be the same width by measuring in several places from the flooring that is down to the opposite wall. If the measurements aren't the same, don't drive the boards on the wider side up as tight. nothing looks worse than to see the last board cut like a wedge.
2006-09-11 15:48:07 · answer #1 · answered by normobrian 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know you need to start out "Square" or you have trouble near the other side. I guess it can be glued, but, if you using Felt, I not think it work. If, I glued it, I would not use felt and would still use a small Brad Nailer to hold everything until the Glue set. But, I know nails work and have proved themselves over time. I not real sure how well glue work in the long run, and this a lot of work to have to redo it 5-10 years down the road, if, you plan on still living there.
You may be able to find a book on this at your Public Library. I remodeled my Mother's Bathroom years ago and used Tile in the Tub/Shower. Got a book at the Library and did this myself. Have had no trouble and that was about 10 years ago and it really looks as if a pro did it.
2006-09-11 15:07:33 · answer #2 · answered by Snaglefritz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't need a nailer to nail a hardwood floor. If you hand nail you must predrill the nail holes in the flooring. Unless you are installing over concrete, I do not advise glueing. If you are installing over concrete I advise you use some type of laminate.
Just use finishing nails in a pre-drilled hole, and set with a punch.
Try to hit as many joists as possible. Mark them with a chalk line.
2006-09-11 15:13:48 · answer #3 · answered by Don 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can rent the nailers for nailing it. there is alot more to putting down a floor than you think. if it out of square if there is a rise in the floor you will have to sand it down so the floor will not buckle. you are going to wind up spending more than saving if you do not know what youre doing. im just being honest with you. glue would be my last option. i would do some research before going ahead with it.
2006-09-13 12:34:56 · answer #4 · answered by duc602 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to glue it, why not just get the laminate?
If you have never dealt with hardwood floors before, I recommend you hire someone to get you started, then finish up yourself. There are issues with spacing, expansion around the edges, trim, thresholds, etc.
2006-09-11 15:01:40 · answer #5 · answered by auntiegrav 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best authority would be the manufacturer. Find them and ask them what are the applicable methods of installing your hardwood material. Then do as they say. Good luck!
2006-09-11 16:00:35 · answer #6 · answered by BOBBY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a book "installing and finishing flooring' by william spence...that may help you...I haven't really read it..its on my to do list...isbn 0-8069-9295-6
2006-09-11 15:04:39 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can get profesonal advice at diy.com or homedepot.com
2006-09-11 15:01:09 · answer #8 · answered by tiffany a 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋