Hardwood Floor Installation

The following information is a brief guideline for installing our wide plank flooring. We would gladly explain it in more detail in a phone call or e-mail if you would like.

Before beginning installation, allow the flooring to equalize to your home. Place flooring, between sticks, inside the home for a minimum of 7 to 10 days prior to installation. This will help reduce any ambiant moisture that was picked up in the process between planing and delivery.

Step 1

Check subfloor for defects. Nail down protruding nails. Check for globs of glue, drywall plaster and remove by scraping.

Step 2

Staple a good quality felt paper to the subfloor and allow at least four inches of overlap at the seams.

Step 3

Start the installation by snapping a chalk line about 2 feet out from the wall. This line should be perpendicular to the floor joist.

Step 4

Select a straight plank and lay the grooved side along the chalkline with the tongue of the plank faced away from the wall.

Step 5

Nail or screw and plug the plank every 32 inches. This should be every other floor joist. You may have to wedge the plank into place. See the picture below on how this is done. NOTE: This first course must be as straight as possible so the rest of the floor doesn't wave.

Step 6

Sand floor with a orbital floor sander that may be rented from a local rental agent. Start off with a course grit - 60 or 80 - then to a medium grit - 100 or 120 - and finish with a fine 160 grit. Remember - don't skip a step here, the finish of your floor depends on it.

Step 7

Finish with quality oil finishes to your taste.

Tools that will help in the installation.

This is an example of laying an oak plank floor. Note the blue lines snapped at 32 inches apart as a guide where the screws and plugs will go. The black underlayment is 15 lb. felt paper.

This is an example that shows how a wedge is used to make for a tight joint.

This is an example of an orbital sander that is much easier to use than a drum sander.