
Nail Down Installation Guidelines
- Ensure that all the above subfloor conditions and general instructions have been met. ...
- Direction of the flooring should be installed at a 90 degree (right) angle to the floor joists. ...
- Determine a starting wall. ...
- Face nail the first row. ...
- Blind nail the board into place. ...
Full Answer
How many nails do I need for hardwood flooring?
Follow all the manufacturer’s instructions when using the power nailer or stapler and continue to nail/staple the tongue side of each board at a 45 degree angle and at 8″ intervals, but do not nail/staple within 2″ from the end of each board.
What size nails do you use for hardwood flooring?
Jan 15, 2021 · Installing your hardwood floor so it looks professional and lasts for years to come can be surprisingly easy. Today, I’m going to show you how.Before you get...
How can you get nail polish off hard wood floors?
How do you install a nail in a hardwood floor? face nail each board at joist and then set nail Pick one that is straight. Align the edge of the board with the chalk line and drill pilot holes down through the hardwood plank and into the sub-floor and joist. Face-nail each board at the point of every joist and set the nail with a nail-set.
Can I use a nail gun to install hardwood floor?
Aug 24, 2017 · Anyone can install nail down hardwood flooring and it looks AWESOME!Last time on my home renovation series, we laid down some floating hardwood floor in our ...

Choose Your Install Method
The type of install method you choose will depend on your subfloor, budget, lifestyle and the type of wood flooring you select. For example, solid hardwood flooring is typically nailed down during installation while tongue and groove engineered flooring is usually clicked together or completely glued down.
General Tips for Installing Hardwood Floors
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when learning how to install hardwood floors:
Prep the Space
Given the variety of subfloor types, always refer to the installation guidelines for information specific to your hardwood flooring and subfloor type. These are the common steps to take when prepping for hardwood:
Glue-Down Install Method
A good choice for concrete floors, the glue-down install method doesn't require using an extra vapor barrier, which is good for most budgets. Here's how to install hardwood flooring using the glue-down method:
Nail-Down Install Method
When installing solid hardwood on a wood subfloor, the nail-down install method is used because it is usually cost-effective. Here's how to install hardwood floors using the nail-down method:
Click-Lock Install Method
One of the most popular choices for DIYers, installing click-lock floors, or a floating floor, is quick and easy. It only requires nails for the first row of boards. Here's how to install click-lock hardwood flooring:
How many staples do I need for hardwood floor?
That amounts to 1 1/2 nails per foot. If you’re installing wider planks, you’ll need to reduce the spacing to 6 inches, which is two nails per foot, and if installing narrower planks, you can increase the spacing to 10 inches, or 1 1/5 nails per foot.
How often do you nail hardwood flooring?
Place at least two nails in every board — the rule of thumb is to nail every 10 to 12 inches. Flooring is typically bundled in random lengths. Vary board lengths as you install so you will have staggered end-joints in a random pattern (image 6).
Can you use brad nails for hardwood flooring?
Like most of the newer floor products, you can install it floatin without glue or nails, glued down or nailed into place on plywood and other wood product subfloors. A flooring nailer is the preferred method for attaching flooring, but a brad nailer, used correctly, runs a close second.
Can you hand nail hardwood flooring?
While it is possible to hand-nail hardwood boards, it isn’t advisable for three reasons. The first is that it is much more time-consuming. The second is that the boards won’t wedge together as tightly as they do if you use a nailer or air gun, and the finished floor may show gaps between the boards.
What kind of nails do you use for tongue and groove?
Common gauges for nails used in tongue and groove installation include 15, 16, 17 and 18. The gauge of a nail has nothing to do with its length. As such, it’s possible to use 15-gauge nails with lengths of 1 inch, 1.5 inches or 2 inches.
What is the best flooring nailer?
Here’s a list of the best flooring nailers we found: Freeman PF18GLCN Pneumatic Flooring Nailer. Freeman PFL618BR Flooring Nailer. NuMax SFL618 Flooring Nailer. DEWALT DWFP12569 Pneumatic Flooring Nailer. BOSTITCH MIIIFN Flooring Nail Gun. Freeman PDX50C Floor Nail Gun. PowRyte Basic 3-in-1 Air Flooring Nailer & Stapler.
Do you need underlay for hardwood flooring?
Is underlayment necessary for hardwood floors. The short answer: usually. If you already have a plywood subfloor, and the subfloor is smooth and level, then you may not need an underlayment beneath the hardwood floor.
