Do I *really* need spacers to install my hardwood flooring?

Question

I'm installing red oak select hardwood flooring in my kitchen, to continue the flooring from my hallway and dining room. One company recommends, for my regien, 0.4mm spacing per strip using "green" spacers, but would it be okay to just eyeball the strips before nailing them down, just like the pros? Or would it be better to just use the spacers?

Answer 1

First make sure your flooring material acclimates to the room you are installing it. This time span should be on the package or in an insert. Usually a week or more.

Spacers and gaps are recommended for expansion/contraction room. Gaps at the walls and spacers between the boards. You can eyeball them, but do you want to risk not being happy with the finished product? Most spacers should be re-usable, and not something you have to leave in place, so cost should be minimal for the benefit received. (If "green spacers" are permanent, then at least use a 0.4mm movable spacer, not eyeball.)

Answer 2

Whoa, please do not use spacers on hardwood floorings. The only place spacers would have is by the walls to allow for expansion and contraction. Never use spacers in between any flooring materials except for tiles. I would start the first few strips with PL which is the best glue around! and rent a flooring nailer which is the right tool for the job, it will fire the nails at the right angle without any damage. The company that you are talking to has no clue!, What i usually do is deliver my customer's flooring and store it there for couple days to allow it to acclimate to the room and enviroment temperants. Then ill come back and install it. In the winter when the humidity is really low, ill leave more gap between the walls or cut back the drywall and allow the hardwood to go under the drywall, in the summer i will allow only about 3/8th of a gap. Would not use any types but tounge and groove for hardwood, beware of other types!

Answer 3

Spacers? I've never heard of using spacers for hardwood floors! Only for tiles. Why would you use spacers? That just leaves a gap for dirt, water, etc. to get underneath your wood floor and cause all kinds of trouble. Consult another professional.

Answer 4

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RE:
Do I *really* need spacers to install my hardwood flooring?
I'm installing red oak select hardwood flooring in my kitchen, to continue the flooring from my hallway and dining room. One company recommends, for my regien, 0.4mm spacing per strip using "green" spacers, but would it be okay to just eyeball the strips before nailing them down,...

Answer 5

Yes, you do. listen to what Kirk said and let the material acclimate which is leaving it in your house for a set amount of time that the manufacturer recommends and always, always, always install everything to manufacturer recommendations so your warranty will not be voided. Do you know how small 0.4mm is? It is a very small space that you won't even notice when it is installed. If you don't use them and the floor buckles you will have wasted your money. Expansion and contraction is a something you always have to deal with flooring. Do the job once, do the job right, and don't ever worry about it again. Good Luck

Answer 6

In older houses I've worked in that had good wood flooring, the sub-floor was installed at a 45degree angle to the floor joist, and the hardwood flooring was installed perpendicular to the joist. The subfloor I'm talking about is slat board though.

Answer 7

I have not heard of this method at all. the first row you should be leaving about a 1/4" from the wall then proceed on. the first 3 rows I would use a 15g finishing nail and a glue(PL400). after the the rows done I would use my hardwood air nailer or stapler and finish the install. once you get to the last 3 rows treat them like you did the first 3 and your done.

Answer 8

Is this a laminated (plywood with a real wood veneer) wood floor, or a solid wood floor? If a solid floor, the link below gives some guidlines for installation. If a laminated product, the manufacturer will have installation guidelines.

Answer 9

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If you could add 3/4" plywood before installing hardwood it would be strong enough. If not you will run into problems later on.

Answer 10

you could Just (eyeball) the spaces if you want just remember that a floor with out enough expansion space will buckle,the amount of space it needs is determined by the size of the floor and the direction the board are run.