How do you install a wood floor?
Sep 2nd, 2008 by admin
how do I use a reversing strip and do I have to install tar paper
It all depends on if you have a true wood floor, a laminate or a floating floor. Let's assume that you have a read wood floor that is tongue and grove.
1st, you need at least 3/4 plywood as a base - not pressboard, not chipboard, but plywood.
2nd, you need to cover this with some rosin paper. You could use tar paper if you wish, that is heavier. Rosin paper is preferred. Staple it down with a hammer tacker.
3rd) measure the width of the room measuring perpindicular to the joists. Wood floors run across joists, not with them. Find the center of the room and mark it.
4th) measure full board widths from (depends on what you have) from that center point to a wall and mark where your first full width board should go.
5th) use a chalk line to mark this entire line parallel with a wall and running across the joists. Walls are never straight, but you want the board joints to be.
6th) Measure the narrowest space between the line and the wall and subtract about a 1/4".
7th) Rip the Groove side off of a set of boards to the width that you measured in step 6. The width does not include the tongue.
8th) Nail through the tounge of the ripped strips at an angle and try to hit the joists. Rent a flooring nailer.
9th) complete the first partial width of boards and then start over iwth a full width set. Make sure that the ends are staggered so that the 2 rows do not have a board end within 1-2" of each other.
The only time you may need a spline is if you have to reverse your tongue to the other direction. A spline basically fits between 2 grooves to reverse the pattern.
It all depends on if you have a true wood floor, a laminate or a floating floor. Let's assume that you have a read wood floor that is tongue and grove.
1st, you need at least 3/4 plywood as a base - not pressboard, not chipboard, but plywood.
2nd, you need to cover this with some rosin paper. You could use tar paper if you wish, that is heavier. Rosin paper is preferred. Staple it down with a hammer tacker.
3rd) measure the width of the room measuring perpindicular to the joists. Wood floors run across joists, not with them. Find the center of the room and mark it.
4th) measure full board widths from (depends on what you have) from that center point to a wall and mark where your first full width board should go.
5th) use a chalk line to mark this entire line parallel with a wall and running across the joists. Walls are never straight, but you want the board joints to be.
6th) Measure the narrowest space between the line and the wall and subtract about a 1/4".
7th) Rip the Groove side off of a set of boards to the width that you measured in step 6. The width does not include the tongue.
8th) Nail through the tounge of the ripped strips at an angle and try to hit the joists. Rent a flooring nailer.
9th) complete the first partial width of boards and then start over iwth a full width set. Make sure that the ends are staggered so that the 2 rows do not have a board end within 1-2" of each other.
The only time you may need a spline is if you have to reverse your tongue to the other direction. A spline basically fits between 2 grooves to reverse the pattern.
References :
a lot of times, lowes or home depot offers free classes on this. Thats how my sister learned how to put tile down in her house.
References :