Aug 02, 2007 by just me | Posted in Decorating & Remodeling
I am considering hardwood engineered flooring to do it myself. any one have experience that would help me decide. Also, do you have recommendations for suppliers other than Home Depot or Lowes
installing hardwood is not real difficult,but you do need some carpentry skills.......you need two types of saws.........table saw and a (I call it a drop saw)........you need to draw a straight line to begin your boards,you need to know what kind of trim pieces you need for your doors and you need quarter round molding to go along your baseboards.........
you also need to leave an expansion gap of around 3/8" around all your walls and ,forgot this, you need to undercut your door casings with a saw...........
when I do it I have all the tools I need because I do it on a regular basis but the average person may not so you need to think about that before you start and if you do and feel comfortable with the idea of doing it..............
GO FOR IT................
don_vvvvito | Aug 02, 2007
Try looking on lumber liquidators.
It will also calculate the cost. I'm thinking about doing the same thing at my house. Good luck!! As far as actually doing the work.....I figure some good friends (with the know how) and a huge meal with plenty of cold beers afterward will take care of labor part!! lol
http://www.lumberliquidators.com/home.jsp
justme | Aug 02, 2007
Im installing hardwood floor planks. How do I repair a unlevel section of flooring?
Sep 12, 2007 by Aircraft tech 1 | Posted in Maintenance & Repairs
Im installing hardwood floor planks. A section of the floor is about a half of inch lower than the rest of the floor. What type of approach should I take to level flooring? If I use self leveling cement, will the staples or nails be able to penetrate this material into the subfloor?
You will not have good luck stapling/nailing through the cement leveling compound. You are going to have to either fix what is causing the unlevel spot or shim the hardwood.
You can use 1/4" plywood and or layers of 15LB roofing felt.
to shim. You might need to use longer nails in the low spots to be sure they penetrate the subfloor.
This is what my buddy who owns a flooring business told me when I did my floors.
mike b | Sep 13, 2007
How easy is it to install hardwood floor? Is it as easy as laying laminate flooring?
Aug 15, 2007 by sweets_vivian | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
I have started my own flooring business. Installing laminante and hardwood. While I am experienced in laminante, I have not had the oppurtunity to install hardwood.
I will be installing prefinished tongue and groove haardwood.
That depends on whether you are installing prefinished or unfinished flooring. On prefinished it is not that much more difficult than laminate except you use nails or glue to install it. There are flooring nailers and flooring staplers and you need to know when to use which one. With unfinished it is best to leave that to someone with experiance as the sanding and finishing stages are critical to having a good looking floor. If you are interested in doing quality work, you need to do a lot more research before taking on these floors.
Bitcasso | Aug 15, 2007
What is the best cost effective hardwood flooring?
Mar 06, 2008 by Katie L | Posted in Decorating & Remodeling
I'm thinking about reflooring my family room. I want something that looks like hardwood floors but is very durable and cost effective. Basically I want this best flooring thats cheap, beautiful, and durrable and where I could find it. Thanks so much
solid hardwood is usually your best bet.
although you can spend ALOT more on it, a good floor can be purchased for around $3-$4/ sq ft. and installation usually runs another $1-$2/sq ft. (home depot is very competitively priced for wood). Solid wood will last 100 years , and can always be refinished for a minimal cost to make it look new again. Oak holds up the best for the price and can be purchased in different qualities for different prices, just look over several samples before you make a purchase- cause sometimes a sales person shows you the best sample as where some grades may have minor knots/inconsistancies.
The next best thing to solid wood is engineered wood- which is actually a very thin layer of real solid wood on top of pressed board, they hold up as well and cost around 25% less on average, and can even be refinished or renewed usually once, maybe twice with light use.
As for all these laminate style floors that look like wood- I would never recommend them for the price difference, all it is is a fancy vinyl tile on top of particle board, and yes i know alot of people are happy with their pergo- but ask them again in a few years, because those flooring options just dont hold up , and when they are scratched - you throw them away because they can never be refinished, also no matter what the great warranty on these is - they almost never actually honor that warranty because theres tons of loop holes to it. My boyfreind installed tons of these professionally and after a few years had tons of unhappy customers that thought they had a 10 yr warranty, well he replaced the floors on his own dollar to keep a happy customer and almost went bankrupt because of it. I dont care how much you spend on a laminate - its garbage.
mary h | Mar 07, 2008
Does hardwood flooring really have to be installed perpendicular to the joists under the sub floor?
Apr 08, 2007 by Lee R | Posted in Do It Yourself (DIY)
I am installing hardwood on the lower level of my splitlevel home. Have removed a halfwall between kitchen and diningroom. Would like to install flooring parallel to joists but everything I've read says to install perpendicular. They also recomend laying the flooring parallel to length of room which would put my boards parallel to joists underneath. Any tips or ideas would help.
If you could add 3/4" plywood before installing hardwood it would be strong enough. If not you will run into problems later on.
BN'W | Apr 08, 2007
Hardwood Flooring Tips
In the first situation, hardwood types of flooring are of very rich quality and also can be made use of anywhere you wish them to be, right in your apartment or in a problem building which belongs to you.
When set up in suitable settings and also occasions, the right sort of hardwood flooring can be a life saver, specially when there’re youth in the tenancy.
For individuals whose hardwood flooring need refinishing, fixings as well as installing of hardwood exemplar of flooring, a corporation such as Armstrong (www.Armstrong.com) is right and they also design software to aid clients set up offices and rooms.
There’re three indispensable hardwood floor styles. These subsume the strip flooring, the plank flooring, and even the parquet flooring. You can decide on any of them as soon as they fit their function and suit your home. It is a wonderful feeling to be qualified to buy engineered wood flooring at prices which will look like wholesale prices which are tremendous and enough to predict you that they’re your most excellent bet for hard wood flooring.
Your finest bet regarding flooring fallout’s warranty is one that covers the bare minimum of 15 years; this way you’ll be positive that you’ve really invested wisely. Laminate kind of flooring are securing a lot more acceptance day by day and this is certainly because they look like hardwood flooring; more so they are effortless to install in the house.
If you necessary to set up hardwood flooring, opt for corporations that have been famous for their more proficient work as well as experience as opposed to of firms you cannot guarantee. It doesn’t surely matter how out of this in all respects their offers look, if the corporation does not have an excellent pursue record, don’t do any dealings with them.
As a final point, when a hardwood floor is installed into a house in the proper way, it accords the place a form of natural fastidiousness of its own, nevertheless that is not all you remain loyal to gain from it; your apartment’s import in the market cannot help but be produced.
Q: My hardwood floor has a number of dark stains, apparently caused by water. Can I remove the stains or give the floor a darker color to hide them? and more »
Q. My hardwood floor has a number of dark stains, apparently caused by water. Can I remove the stains or can I give the floor a darker color to hide them? and more »
The advantages of a hardwood floor have many homeowners wanting to make that look a permanent part of their house. A new store has opened in Grand Island to
New hardwood flooring is expensive, more so if you lack the skills to install it yourself. We're talking about $24 per square yard and up, installed. and more »
Aged Woods Debuts ''Rescued Maple'' Hardwood Flooring LineAged Woods, Inc., a leading supplier of reclaimed, remilled antique wood flooring under the brand name Aged Woods®, has announced the launch of its new
Maestro engineered hardwood amaze allows you the flexibility of installing over wood or substantial subfloors including basements. Flexible establishment options include staple or glue. Flooring construction is 7 ply system to insure turned on stability with square ends and micro bevel effectiveness. Finish includes aluminum oxide for durability. Each invalid is 24 sq. ft. with planks that are each 3 8'' thick x 3'' widespread off the mark. Random lengths up to 48'' with 40 cases per pallet.
This listing is for a taste order of 2 pcs (10" x 3"). 25-Year promise on structure and Aluminium Oxide anti-pick-up finish. Precision-milled 4 sided vernacular and groove with micro-bevel edges for easier connection. Moisture control coating on sides and back of bewilder greatly enhances the structure stability.
This listing is for 2 pc(5"x 8") samples. This 3/4" unalloyed prefinished flooring is precision milled with the highest property equipment available and finished with Bona heavy-duty high quality Aluminum Oxide conclude. With 25 years Residential/Lifetime Make-up Warranty. Carton sqft: 23.33, Carton heaviness: 85 lbs, SurfaceType: 40 Semigloss, Edges: Micro Beveled, Construction: Firm Design, Install Type: Nail Down.
List Price: $259.99
Price: $239.99 You Save:$20.00 (8%)
Product Details
Through for speed and accuracy
Convertible aid-free adjustable foot adapts to 1/4-inch to 7/16-inch engineered flooring. Mill set to 5/16-inch flooring
Lightweight magnesium forge for added durability
Product Description
Includes 1-1/2" 18-Dimensions Hardwood Flooring Stapler - SX150-BHF
The Bostitch SX150-BHF-2 18-Size Hardwood Flooring Stapler is ideal for installing engineered hardwood flooring and is plant-set for Bruce Natural Reflections flooring. Perfect for anyone who wants a efficient-grade finish, this tool operates with any paradigm air compressor, features a lightweight and durable magnesium richness, has an adjustable foot for handling a range of flooring sizes, and more.
The Bostitch SX150-BHF-2 18-Reckon Hardwood Flooring Stapler At a Glance:
170 in./lbs. of driving power
Adjustable foot for unconventional flooring sizes
Lightweight, durable magnesium portion
Factory-set for Bruce Natural Reflections flooring
Use the adjustable foot for laminated dialect and groove flooring. View larger.
0.5" to 1.5" 18-weigh staples minimize wear and tear.
All the Power You Distress to Get Jobs Done Quickly Harness the power of compressed air and whole your stapling jobs quickly and easily. Justifiable connect the Bostitch SX150-BHF-2 Floor Stapler to your air compressor for 170 in/lbs of thrust at 70-100 PSI. This stapler accepts heavy-part 18-gauge 7/32 flooring staples that are 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches in stretch.
Adjustable to Match the Task at Hand Mill-set for easy installation of Bruce Natural Reflections 5/16-inch flooring, the SX150-BHF-2 Flooring Stapler will bore staples in any engineered hardwood. And with an adjustable foot that can be set between 1/4 and 7/16 inch, this stapler can even be against with laminated tongue and groove flooring.
Lightweight, Indestructible Construction for Everyday Use The magnesium construction of the SX150-BHF-2 Overthrow Stapler means it is lightweight enough to use all day, while still being durable enough to reliably use again and again. Measuring 3.00 x 9.63 x 10.13 inches (WxHxL) and weighing by a hair's breadth 3.2 pounds, this tool is perfect for reaching into neck spaces.
Additionally, this stapler features oil-complimentary operation, which eliminates any potential spills or sprays that could reason irreversible stains on expensive material. Also, a mild rear exhaust conveniently expends air away from you and your vocation surface.
The Bostitch SX150-BHF-2 18-Calculate Hardwood Flooring Stapler is backed by a seven-year circumscribed warranty.
About Bostitch Stanley-Bostitch manufactures top-calibre, innovative fastening tools and fasteners for industrial, construction, and people's home-improvement applications. Products include pneumatic staplers and nailers; compressors; guide staplers and tackers; coil-fed screw systems; rivet tools; paste guns; a broad assortment of collated nails, screws, staples and specialty fasteners in a multifariousness of materials and finishes; and carton-closing staplers--many of them hustle firsts.
What's in the Box Flooring stapler and tapping block.
Customer Reviews
Great Product
Used this to put down 700sf of flooring and it worked wonderfully. It did jam up once on the last staple before empty, but other than that no problems. Not too bad for 7500 staples.
2010-02-05
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5
What about parts?
I bought this bostitch sx150 stapler last year and needed a new o ring. Seriously I could not find a single shop in town that would help me with it, so than came the online research for bostitch and I found [...] to be the best fit when it came to pricing and parts. They even had a little part map on there site which let me know how to install the dang thing. Just a heads up in case your looking for bostitch parts on this stapler.
[...]
Bostitch
As with any other Bostitch product I've owned,this product is defineitely what I needed,and priced reasonable. Would buy again,if I could ever wear it out!
2009-10-13
(Az) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4
Flooring Stapler
Instructions could be improved (small print and figures difficult to read). Stapler loading not intuitive. Must keep shoe flat on new flooring (not sub-floor), if not may staple on surface. If new user, practice on mock-up recommended. Once I got going (learning curve) tool worked good - no mis-fires.
Greatest thing since sliced bread!
The first time I did floor, I went with the gluing route and what a sticky pain in the rear that was... 700sqft took months. This time I lucked out and have a wood sub-floor. We went with 5/16" solid Brazilian Mountain Teak... and this stapler has been wonderful. Pounds in the staples to the perfect depth with just 80 psi. Fast and clean (180sqft done in about 16 hours). This stapler is very light and slides well on the tongue. Over the course of 2600 staples, I had no jams, but it did misfire once where it fired two at once - send a spark flying a good foot. "The price was right" - even with overnight shipping.
2009-08-21
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5
Akuzuki Top Quality Pneumatic Hardwood Floor Flooring Air Cleat Nailers
List Price: $599.00
Product Details
Non-Marring forged is designed to allow driving of fastener put up the shutters seal to wall.
Drives from 1.5" to 2" example 16 Gauge "L" cleat Nails
Composite currish to eliminate scratch and damage to the surface of the wood.
Product Description
Can be against on 1/2", 5/8", 3/4" and 25/32" floor thickness
Journal Capacity: 100 PCS
Operation Pressure: 60-100 PSI
Air Inlet: 1/4" NPT
Grip Includes: Flooring Cleat Nailer Gun. Professional Group Carrying Case. High Quality Mallet. By-law Eye Goggles. Air Tool oil. Extra Non-Marring Lascivious Plate Cover. Hex Wrenches. Detailed Operating Instructions.
Customer Reviews
Excellent Product
Bought this to put a 350 sq ft wood floor in my family room. Home Depot was going to charge me $40 a day that's 80 bucks down the drain. This nailer is now in my arsenal and it only cost 240 with no tax and shipping. It worked great can't understand how a professional nailer could do better. Definitely happy with my purchase and looking forward to doing all the bedrooms over the next few years. Good Luck!
Excellent Tool
This is what I ordered, what they sent was Akuzuki Hardwood Floor Flooring Stapler & Cleat Nailer Nail Gun, which also does staples. It's a wonderful tool that performed perfectly. The quality of the tool is clear from the moment you see it. It's solid, strong, and well constructed. It came in a very good carrying case, with all the needed accessories.
I used this to put in a 3/4" solid hardwood floor in my dining room. The wood was one of the hardest, acacia. I never had a jam or misfire. The only problems were from my own learning curve on how to use the nailer correctly. It took me about two rows to master the positioning and amount of force to use on the striker. It helps to have someone else watch you position the nailer and tell you when you're in the right position as the spot that _feels_ right isn't quite. Once you get the feel of the right spot, a row of flooring nails in quickly, easily, and spot-on perfect for nail positioning.
I am a medium/smallish sized female who had never put in hardwood flooring before. I had no problems using this nailer and put in a beautiful floor relatively easily (sure, it's a lot of work, but it's not overwhelmingly hard--entirely do-able no matter who or what you are). This nailer also paid for the price of a rental with just this one room so is effectively paid for when it comes to doing the rest of the house.
I don't recall any other reviews mentioning this, but in case you don't know, you do need an air compressor. The amount of force needed to hit this striker--a firm whack--did convince me I'd have never managed to successfully use a non-pneumatic nailer.
2010-02-17
(USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 5
Floor nailer
The floor nailer worked for two rooms unil it started to leak compressed air. I contacted the company and they sent a gasket. Quality controls could be better, and from reading other reviews, they is not an isolated problem.
2010-02-12
| Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3
Great Product
If you need to install hardwood flooring, stop shopping and purchase the Akuzuki. After looking at the cost of other nailers and renting, I decided to purchase this unit based on the reviews I had read.
I ordered the cleat unit but received the cleat/stapler unit upgrade for free. 10 minutes after receiving the unit from Fed Ex I was installing 3/4 Oak using 100psi. So far I have installed about 100 sq ft using 2" nails with not even a single misfire. For reference, I am using Bostitch FLN/MFN-200 Hardwood Flooring Nails.
In summary, this is the best $200 dollars I have ever spent on a tool.
2010-01-31
(Watkins Glen, NY USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5
Good, But Not Perfect
Crunched the numbers and found renting a nailer would cost more than just purchasing this one. ...And as it received a number of positive reviews, I bought it.
I was/am installing 400+ sf of 3/4" pre-finished white oak flooring in our living room, hall, and two closets. The tool worked well for the most part, with only the odd nail only being half-driven in due to an anemic smack with the hammer.
There was one problem. About halfway through the job, the retaining pin for the hammer bar sheered in two. Of course, it was late on a Saturday, but I E-mailed Akuzuki, LLC, asking about the part. However, in order to maintain some level of domestic harmony, I went ahead and took the tool apart and inspected the damage. Seeing the pin was a 3/4" long, floating 6mm pin, and having some pin stock on-hand in my home shop, I cut to size, round the edge down, and installed a replacement pin. The tearing down and reassembly of the tool was greatly accelerated by the specialty wrench and Allen wrenches provided with the tool. Also, the exploded view of the tool in the manual was of great benefit. After running another 500 nails through it, I did need to re-tighten all the screws on the tool, but that expected.
Oh, and company did responded to my E-mail late Sunday evening following my initial inquiry. They also promptly provided a shipping authorization for an RMA with detailed instructions on return procedures so they might repair or replace the tool. Since I had already repaired it, I just let them know I didn't think returning the tool was necessary.
Overall, a fine tool which preformed quite well and as advertised. Customer service was prompt and more than expected, though in the end I didn't need to return the tool. The only ding I give it is the shearing of the pin, even with my oiling the tool as instructed to in the manual. If the rating system allowed it, I would only reduce the rating by half a star instead of one full star. I highly recommend this tool to anyone thinking of installing hardwood flooring.
2009-12-20
(Central USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 4
Array
Let Lowes avoid you install your hard wood floors.
Armstrong Hardwood Flooring laying off 260 in Scott County
10.03.10
KNOXVILLE -- Armstrong Hardwood Flooring Co., a bigger employer in Scott County, said today it is idling part of its running in Oneida and laying off 260 workers outstanding April 9.
The circle will idle its plunder mill, finish borderline and yard operations at its establish on Hartco Handle, but will continue its parquet, rout care, chemical set out and warehousing operations that occupy about 110 people, said Beth A. Riley, corporate spokeswoman for Armstrong Sphere Industries in Lancaster, Pa.
Riley said the actions were bewitched because of declining order in the company’s markets.
“We be having to significantly range back operations in Oneida. We deliberate over this an action of last remedy have recourse to in response to going round business conditions,” Riley said in an e-letters statement.
This was the latest of several rounds of layoffs at the Oneida in force. Citing the decline of the houses market and extended economic downturn, the company laid of 113 workers in May, 2008 and laid off about 50 people in 2007 when it closed an working on Industrial Lane.
New hardwood flooring is expensive, more so if you lack the skills to install it yourself. We're talking about $24 per square yard and up, installed. and more »
