Pine Hardwood Flooring: Installation Guide

Pine hardwood flooring can be a beautiful addition to any home. The material is cheaper than that of most hardwoods, and will last a lifetime.
In addition, the installation process is not too difficult, so long as you use precut lumber. Once you’ve outlined precisely how much material you will need and have bought the precut floorboards, you are well on your way. In this article, we will outline the installation process.

1. Tools / Materials
2. Drywall screws
3. Shop Vac
4. 1 ½ inch finishing nails
5. 8d finishing nails
6. Hammer
7. Saw
8. Rosin Paper
The following steps need to be carried out:
Step 1 – Remove all baseboards and floor trim. Once this is accomplished, you will be able to remove the floor covering and underlayment, revealing the subfloor. Inspect for any squeaky panels and drive drywall screws into the joists directly below them. This acts to tighten and secure the board while eliminating that annoying squeak.

Step 2 – Roll out the rosin paper onto the subfloor. Start with the wall that is perpendicular to the floor joists. Every six inches, staple it down with 5/16’ stables. Make the joists with a straightedge and overlap the rosin paper four to five inches. Continue marking each joist as your move along.

Step 3 – Evaluate your materials and choose the straightest and longests pine boards for the first row and line them parallel to the longest wall. Give a ¼ inch space between the wall and the floorboard. Each end should butt together over the floor joists. Once the first row has been cut and laid out, apply glue in squiggly lines to the board bottoms and nail each into place.

Step 4 – Predrill each hole into the wood roughly ½ inch from the wall. Be certain that the board is able to get close enough to the wall so the baseboard and trim cover the heads of the nails. Use an 8d finishing nail to secure the board to the subfloor.

Step 5 – Drive your 1 ½ inch finishing nails through the tongue of each panel at a forty five degree angle. Use a nail set in order to sink the heads 1/8 inch below the surface of the wood. Nail each board down into each joist as a means to secure them.

Step 6 – Measure the available space for the last row of boards. Allow for ¼ to ½ inch of expansion space between the wall and wood. Cut these last boards in order to fit the space.

Step 7 – Inspect the area to see if it requires any sanding. Many floors do not, but all cases are different. If you decide to go for it, be sure to use a shop vac to clean the dust afterwards.
Step 8 – Finish your floor with your favorite varnish or stain and allow to dry.