Hardwood Installation

4 methods of installation

1. Glue Down:

• An 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
• A 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
• 2-3 days prior to installation
• Must be done in the area where the product is installed