Hardwood | Installation

4 methods of installation 

1. Glue Down:

• adhesive is spread on with the proper sized trowel
• engineered floors and parquets- can be glued down
• solid strip floors and plank floors can only be nailed or stapled

2. Nail Down:

• used with the 3/4" solid products
• sometimes available for thinner floors
• 2" nailing cleats used with a  nailer and mallet to attach to the subfloor
• solid strip floors or plank floors only installed on wood subfloors on grade or above grade

3. Staple Down:

• 1-1/2 to 2 inch staples  used versus nailing cleats to attach to the subfloor
• pneumatic gun used to drive the staple into the subfloor
• not all companies recommend the same staple gun

4. Floating:

• padding and glue used together
• floating installation- not fastened to the subfloor
• thin pad placed between the floor and subfloor
• wood glue is applied in the tongue and groove to hold planks together
• padding advantages: protects against moisture, reduces noise, softer, additional "R" value
• engineered floors and all Longstrip floors can be floated
• fast, easy and clean method of installation

Acclimation

• mandatory
• Time frame depends on species and product specifications
• must be done in the area where product is installed