How to Install Wood Flooring - Fine Homebuilding

How to Install Wood Flooring

A complete guide to planning, installation, finishing, and maintenance
with Charles Peterson

Adding a wood strip floor is one of the best ways to bring new life to an old room, or give a clean look to a new space. In this video series, wood flooring expert Charles Peterson will show you everything you need to know to do the job right, from preparing the subfloor and flooring, to cutting, nailing, and adding the final finish. He even shares some great floor-care tips so your new floor will look great for years to come.

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Download the Article:
11 Wood-Flooring Problems, and Their Solutions

Online Members can read this related article from Fine Homebuilding magazine.

Plan ahead for the best floor possible

Getting good results with wood-strip flooring has a lot to do with timing. The wood flooring needs time to acclimate to the room it will go in, the stains and finishes need time to dry to reach their maximum strength, and you need time to plan and execute the job to get the best looking, most durable results. Watch as Charles Peterson lays down the whole process in this For Pros, By Pros video series.

	Introduction (Playing on this page) Charles Peterson outlines the basics of what makes a great flooring installation.
	Getting Ready A wood floor is only as good as the subfloor it goes over. Learn how to prep the surface for a flat and stable floor.
	Laying Out Flooring A little planning before you put down your first board will get you proffesional results.
	Racking the Floor Spread out all your flooring in advance to get even distributions of colors and textures.
	Nailing the Floor Learn how to securley fasten the flooring to the subfloor.
	Surfacing Equipment (free video) Watch this overview and get the right tools for the job.
	Belt Sanding Learn how to level the installed flooring with this powerful machine.
	Edging and Finish Sanding Get the whole floor smooth and clean before applying stain and finish.
	Staining Use the right applicators, colorants, and techniques for a uniform and vibrant look.
	Finishing Choose the best protective finish for your new floor, and learn how to apply it right.
	Floor Maintenance (free video) Learn how to keep your floor looking it's best for years to come.

Watch the entire video series wherever and whenever you want: Buy the DVD.

Wood Flooring DVD

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FURTHER RESOURCES ON FineHomebuilding.com

Save Time With a Prefinished Wood Floor
Factory-finished products mean less work on site, but they demand a more careful installation subscription required

A Wood Floor That Can Survive Anywhere
In a basement or on a slab, create a stable platform to support quality engineered-wood flooring subscription required

A Beautiful Floor from Wood Scraps
Achieving the intricate geometry of a parquet floor doesn't require much more than a tablesaw, kraft paper, and wallpaper paste subscription required

New Life for an Old Floor
How to prepare a wood floor for a new finish subscription required

Finishing Hardwood Floors
Charles Peterson takes the fear out of sanding and shows how to get great results with waterborne finishes subscription required

Charles Peterson

Combining his graduate work in engineering and wood science with his passion for hardwood flooring, Charles Peterson has become a nationally recognized hardwood flooring specialist. He is also president of the International Parquetry Historical Society and of Wood Flooring Education, and is the founder of www.woodflooringedu.org.

Find more videos and articles by Charles Peterson

Wood Flooring

This professional-level resource covers every aspect of installing residential wood flooring.
Buy the book

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How-to Video Series

Tips, Tools, and Techniques

FURTHER RESOURCES ON FineHomebuilding.com

Charles Peterson