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Nail & Staple Down Installation

Introduction to Nail / Staple Down Hardwood Floor Installation

  • This article will explain how to Install Prefinished Hardwood Floors, Solid Hardwood Floors as well as Engineered Hardwood Floors, using the staple / nail down method used in hardwood floors. Unfinished Hardwood Floors are installed in the same exact way, the only difference is that they must be sanded and finished as well.

  • Most businesses or homeowners would probably hire a contractor or professional to install their hardwood floor. Some individuals will probably try to install their hardwood floor in a Do-It-Yourself manner. At first it seems like it can be a complicated job, that is probably too much to handle for one person. Most regular hardwood floor installations can be done by a single person who has a basic knowledge in operating power tools, general tools, and some unique tools which may need some extensive use in order to full apprehend them.

What is The Difference Between Nail Down and Staple Down Installation?

  • First in the power tool groups are the nail guns - also known simply as the Nailer. Most hardwood floor installers use pneumatic or manual Nailers. Over the last few years the staple gun has become more accessible, advanced and comfortable for hardwood floor installations, making it the first choice for contractors and professionals.
  • Hardwood floor contractors use both of the methods, not holding much difference between the two. The true contrast is within the preference and familiarity of each professional.

Step 1 : Starting your Nail / Staple Down Hardwood Floor Installation

  • An important fact to know about hardwood floors is that they expand and contract according to moisture and humidity changes. That’s why they need to be acclimated for at least 72 hours in the installation area. That way the hardwood planks will become used to the temperature and humidity levels of the room. It is also recommended to literally open the boxes that are holding the wood planks while they are acclimating in the installation area.

  • The most common method of installing the hardwood floor planks (or strips) is when they are laid down perpendicular to the wood joists of the house.The first step after preparing the hardwood floor installation is to mark a reference line which is parallel to a wall, usually the doorway wall. This step is described in more details on the preparation page. Make sure this line is accurate and precise, because a mistake here can make the entire installation process stressful and difficult.

  • After marking the first reference line, draw another line parallel to the reference line and mark the area where all the boards will end.
  • If you are installing hardwood floors through your entire house, then you can simply run the hardwood boards through the doorway in the exact same way you would do in the room. If the floor installation is only for one room, then it's recommended to install some perpendicular boards under the doorway. The importance of this placement will be described later on.The next line you are going to draw is a line parallel to the wall, marking the edge where the first hardwood boards are going to be installed. It is very important to leave at least 1/2” (1.27 cm) distance from the wall, in order to give the wood enough space to expand.
  • The first hardwood boards you lay down should be the straightest strips of wood you can find. You might have to cut (notch) the very first flooring board (or maybe others) in order to fit it under the door jamb. Or you can just simply cut the door jamb or the actual door in order to make space for the wood planks.

  • Due to the size of nail guns and staple guns, you are probably going to have some difficulty using them near the wall while trying to install some of the first hardwood strips. In this case you will have to use manual nailing or screwing for some of the first hardwood plank installations. We recommend drilling small holes (at the size of the screw or nail) all the way through the planks and then using a bigger size screw or nail (about 3/8” diameter) to drill only half way in, making room for the heads of the screws and nails. By doing this, you are creating a deep counter-bore, so the nail / staple heads will be further inside the wood strips. You may choose to cover the holes later by using a 3/8" diameter plug cutter (this cuts wood plugs at the same size of the drills).

Step 2 : Starting The First Row

  • The very first hardwood board needs to be installed parallel to the reference line that was drawn in the previous step. It is very important that the first plank is straight, so that the next boards will be straight and parallel as well. Don’t forget to keep at least 1/2" space between the wall and the boards to allow natural expansion. We recommend screwing the first pieces of the hardwood floor directly to the floor joists. Mark them prior to the hardwood floor installation and then drill holes in the desired area of the hardwood board.

  • Continue the first line of hardwood boards by placing more pieces and screwing them to the sub floor as well. Continue this process until you reach the edge of the room. Make sure all the other pieces are straight and parallel to the reference line and the first board. You can also use other hardwood planks as alignment boards. Connect it in a way where the hardwood board is connected to the two boards surrounding it (the first one that is screwed on and the other newly placed one) and then use a hammer to hit it, making sure it becomes straight and aligned with the first piece.

  • You can also use a ply bar by pressing one side against the wall and the other side against the hardwood plank. This way you are manually pressing together the two pieces of hardwood plank. After you make sure that the hardwood planks are lined straight, you can remove the alignment plank.
  • Do not use the ply bar directly against the wall ! It will damage the wall ! You can use a small piece of hardwood and place it between the wall and the ply bar.Again, make sure that the first line is straight and completely parallel to the reference line. If these first two boards are not perfectly in line, your entire hardwood floor will be full of gaps and defects.

Step 3 : Doorway Threshold in Hardwood Floor Installations

  • If you are installing the hardwood floor in one room or you have other styles of floor outside this room, you will have to edge this floor installation with a threshold or a piece from the wood floor. Measure and cut a hardwood piece to fit the doorway. Put it in place under the door jambs. Use a Speed square to position the floor board perpendicular to the existing row and mark the location of the threshold. Since there isn't anything that can hold the threshold in place while we fasten it to the floor, we recommend connecting it to another hardwood plank and then screwing the piece to the sub floor. In this way, the threshold will stay in place while fastening it down to the sub floor. After nailing / stapling down the threshold to the sub floor, you can remove the hardwood piece you screwed down earlier to the sub floor. This process requires much accuracy, or else the hardwood planks that connect to this threshold will reveal big gaps between the boards.

Step 4 : Nailing / Stapling The Hardwood Floor Planks

  • After you are done installing the first line successfully, it’s time to start installing the rest of the floor. The pieces to the next rows of installation can be put down, connecting them to the sub floor and nailing / stapling them down to the sub floor using a nail gun or a stapler, pneumatic or manual.It is very important not to put the boards’ ends too close to each other.You must keep at least 6” distance between the hardwood board edges when installing them, so plan your next moves wisely.If you are having trouble keeping the boards straight, you can continue using an alignment plank like we did at the first row or you can also use the ply bar to pull the planks together and tighten them up.

  • Another useful tool you can use is the powerjack. This tool helps you pull the hardwood planks in the right direction, without having to use much force.

Step 5 : Putting Hardwood Floor Planks In Place

  • When installing a hardwood floor, you will have to place many hardwood planks in place. If you want to gain the most efficiency out of your hardwood floor installation, then you will want to do this step quickly and accurately. The first step of a proper installation is to place the tongue end of each hardwood board into the grooved end of every previous piece. Then use a hammer to punch the piece towards the previous row, and do the same on the other side.

  • Never hit the hardwood board directly ! Always use a small, useless piece to do it. After putting both of the edges in place, use a pull bar, pry bar or the powerjack to tighten the hardwood piece to the previous row, in doing so closing the gaps between the two boards. You may have to tap it again in some places, to make sure that there are absolutely no gaps.

Remember : When Nailing / Stapling Down The Hardwood Floors Planks.

  • Before you staple / nail down the hardwood floor planks, you must make sure that they are in place, with no gaps or edges that are out of place. The nail / staple down sequence pattern should be about one fastening every 16”. If you are using long enough nails (or staples), try fastening them to the area where the joists are passing through. On your last rows you may won’t be able to use the stapler, because there won't not enough space between the boards and the wall. You may want to use an edger nail gun or nail down manually. If you choose to do it manually, you might need to drill the holes first.On the last row, screw the boards to the sub floor (try to hit the joists), in the exact same way you did on the first row.

Tools Needed for Prefinished Hardwood Flooring Installation:

  • Pneumatic / Manual Floor Nailer / Floor Stapler
  • Nails / Staples
  • Drilling Machine
  • Air Compressor
  • Power Miter Saw
  • Pneumatic Finish Nailer
  • Circular Saw
  • Ply Bar / Pull Bar / PowerJack

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