Anyone ever install hardwood flooring? What are the gotchas I need to know

about?

Looking to put in about 400 sq ft of hardwood flooring in a LR/DR area with an asymmetrical footprint. I am fairly handy around the house (I've remodeled a kitchen and two bathrooms, including flooring, plumbing, lighting, electrical, drywall, tile, cabinets...everything), but I've never installed traditional tongue-and-groove, nailed down hardwood.

Everything I've read indicates it is simple enough, and the only tool I don't seem to have is the special pneumatic flooring nailer, which I can rent.

But just about every time I've tackled a project I've never done before, I learn a few 'gotchas' along the way; things you just don't know that you don't know until you encounter them first hand.

Any tips, tricks, or gotchas to installing hardwood flooring, or it is as straightforward as it looks?

Posted: 04/26/2016 at 09:35AM

Anyone ever install hardwood flooring? What are the gotchas I need to know -- Tafkam Hokie 04/26/2016 09:35AM

Find and fix all of your floor squeaks with screws, before install. ** -- thankbud 04/26/2016 3:15PM

I use engineered hardwood that installs like laminate flooring -- Baltimore Hokie 04/26/2016 2:49PM

For this specific instance, I really don't want anything that installs like -- Tafkam Hokie 04/26/2016 3:45PM

#1, make sure your butt joints on the next row go over previous row by -- thankbud 04/26/2016 1:55PM

Part 2: Which ever nailer you choose, make sure to use power cleats. -- thankbud 04/26/2016 2:11PM

Splinters ** -- Newt 04/26/2016 10:23AM

I bought the pneumatic nailer and was glad I did. Fitting and putting -- 81_Hokie 04/26/2016 10:12AM

That is one concern I've got. It looks pretty straightforward -- Tafkam Hokie 04/26/2016 11:33AM

I would also recommend buying one instead of renting... -- BB Hokie 04/26/2016 12:27PM

I second that opinion. Bought one and took off time constraint from renting ** -- cincyhokie 04/26/2016 12:07PM

Make sure you leave space around edges for the wood to expand...it will. -- King Jaffe Joffer 04/26/2016 10:09AM

Oh, that advice was for floating floor...never done traditional, good luck! ** -- King Jaffe Joffer 04/26/2016 10:12AM

Same rule applies. ** -- thankbud 04/26/2016 2:19PM

Yes, I have done my entire house. You shouldn't have any problems... -- BB Hokie 04/26/2016 10:07AM

When you say moisture barrier paper -- Tafkam Hokie 04/26/2016 11:37AM

This is the stuff I used... -- BB Hokie 04/26/2016 11:42AM

Be sure not to end up at one edge with half an inch to spare. ** -- PhotoHokieNC 04/26/2016 09:54AM

TWSS ** -- EuroHokie 04/26/2016 10:04AM

That's no problem. I'll just use my lumber stretcher. ** -- Tafkam Hokie 04/26/2016 09:57AM

And use your lumbar stretcher when you're finished. Also, be sure to have -- PhotoHokieNC 04/26/2016 10:02AM

Be sure and get a rubber headed hammer to make sure each................. -- F4EHokie 04/26/2016 09:45AM

If you want to be fancy, a rubber-headed hammer and a block of wood -- Nova Hokie 95 04/26/2016 09:59AM

Or use a small cut off piece of the hardwood you are installing ** -- hoosnowahokie 04/26/2016 10:27AM

Wood block will throw him way over budget. Better to use hammer and thumb. ** -- PhotoHokieNC 04/26/2016 10:02AM

Anyone ever install hardwood flooring? What are the gotchas I need to know

Insert a Link

Tech Sideline is Presented By:

Our Sponsors