Once you’ve chosen the new hardwood flooring for your home, it’s time to pick your method of installation. There are several options, including using a staple gun, nails, and wood floor glue.
The latter two methods, nails and glue, are the most popular. However, which one is the best? There are several pros and cons to each, making this vital decision something you have to think about before proceeding. It all comes down to several different factors, such as the type of subfloor you have and the variety of wood flooring you choose to install in your home.
Nailing Down a Hardwood Floor
As the most traditional method of installing a hardwood floor, nails are easy to come by, available in many different types and sizes, and allow for wiggle room in case you end up installing a board in the wrong spot.
To install a hardwood floor using nails, you’ll need a hammer or nail gun, a tape measure, a saw to cut the wood, and enough time to get the job done.
Here are a few pros and cons to using nails.
The Pros of This Method
Sometimes when installing a hardwood floor, you need to remove a plank and start over. That plank could be installed at a slight angle or in the wrong spot. Either way, when you choose to nail in your floorboards, this is easy to correct. Just remove the nail and place the board in its correct spot.
In addition, when using nails, the job is done when the last board is nailed into place. You don’t have to wait for the glue to dry before walking on the floor. It’s also cheaper if you choose to have a professional handle your installation since nailing is easier to do and takes less time. There’s less prep needed for your subfloor as well, as the floor can go in right over the moisture barrier.
Another thing to consider is the future of your floor. Wood floors can crack, get dented or dinged, and more. While some general forms of maintenance are easy, you could have to replace a board or two as damage occurs over time. This is easy to do when the boards are nailed, as you just have to remove the nail, cut a new board, and nail it back into place.
What Could Go Wrong?
Over time, wood flooring can expand and contract with the humidity, loosening the nails. As a result, you may have to re-secure the boards as needed when this happens. You also can’t nail flooring over a concrete subfloor. Not only would this be difficult to do, but the concrete will crack when nails are hammered into it. If you have a wooden subfloor, then nails are a great option.
Choosing the Best Nails for the Job
Since nails are one of the most common options for hardwood flooring installation, it makes sense that there are different types of nails to choose from.
There are square-cut nails made from either iron or steel. You need to drill holes in the boards for these tough nails, and they provide an interesting vintage look.
If you prefer a more rustic finish, go for rose head nails. They are often handmade and have a decorative head that stands out when flush against the boards.
The most common type of nails, finishing nails, are easy to conceal with wood putty. Another option, 8 penny nails, will work as well. If you want a classic look to your wood floor, both are great options to consider.
Gluing Down a Hardwood Floor
While some experts claim that only engineered wood floors can be glued down, that isn’t quite true. Glue is preferred for engineered or laminate floors, as they can easily crack under the stress of the nails (although choosing snap in flooring eliminates the problem).
However, hardwood floors can be glued down as well. It all depends on a few things, such as the type of subflooring you have and how long you’d like to spend installing the floor.
Why Glue May Be the Best Method
Those with a concrete subfloor will have to have their hardwood floors glued onto the moisture barrier. (Although, for the record, a floating floor, like the snap in variety, will work as well.) Glue doesn’t allow for the board expansion and contraction that nails do, so your floor will remain very solidly in place, and it won’t squeak when you walk on it. Also, fewer tools are needed to install a hardwood floor with glue.
If you have chosen an engineered wood laminate floor, your best installation option is glue since nails simply won’t work. If you’ve picked a traditional hardwood floor, you can also have the floor glued into place.
Issues With Using Glue
Like the nail installation method, glue isn’t perfect. You need to have the floor professionally installed. Since glue requires more prep work, especially where the subfloor is concerned, it will cost more to install. Also, if you live in a very humid area, like the southern United States, you’ll have to make sure that the installers use the right kind of glue to keep the floor in place.
Removing floorboards, whether for maintenance reasons or because they are installed crookedly and need to be moved into place, is a bit trickier when the floor is glued down. You run the risk of damaging the boards around the cracked or bowed one trying to pry it out of position. This makes what should be standard maintenance and a quick repair that much trickier.
What Type of Glue Should You Use
There are several types of hardwood floor glue on the market, including solvent-free glues that contain fewer harmful chemicals and tongue and groove flooring glue. Another option, urethane glue, is known for its flexibility, even when dry, making it suitable to adhere down many different types of subflooring and flooring.
It comes down to picking the type of glue that will work best with your current subflooring, any vapor barriers that need to be installed, and the type of wood flooring you’ve chosen. An expert can help you pick the best glue for the job.
Picking the Best Installation Method For Your Needs
On top of choosing the hardwood floor of your dreams from Hardwood Bargains, you also have to pick your installation method. While several factors go into this, such as subflooring types, it truly comes down to your preferences.
Do you want a solid, squeak-free floor or one made of boards that are easy to remove if necessary? These decisions will help steer you in the right direction, and you’ll be loving your new floors in no time!
Sources:
Types of Nails for Laying Hardwood Floors | SF Gate
Ultimate Guide to Hardwood Flooring | How Stuff Works
Solid Wood vs. Engineered Wood Flooring: What's the Difference? | The Spruce
