first time i am going to install this pre-finished t&g flooring. i am leaning towards the 5/8 thick engineered maple rather than going with the full 3/4″ pre-finished maple. it is supposed to be either glued or stapled so it says on the sample board. does that mean the tongue and then just tac with an 18 gauge nail to secure?? i would think that the flooring nailer would injure the 5/8 X 2″ material. any input would be greatly appreciated!!
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There are 3 different ways that engineered flooring can be installed.
Glued down to the sub-floor,]
Glued to each other (in the T&G) and the floor is left floating over the sub-floor.
Stapled to a sub-floor.
You only do one of those.
And some brands don't recommend all three. And in some cases it depends on the sub-floor and the location (below ground, ground level, or above ground).
My guess is that if they don't say "floating" then they are refering to gluing the material to the sub-floor.
thanks-----over plywood, second floor over interior garage. i like the thought of the nails but will check if i can also edge glue. any idea if the veneered stuff is less prone to cracks compared to the full 3/4.
If it is installed as a floating floor then there should be no cracks. All expansion and contraction is done at the walls.Stapled down or glued down would be much like solid wood with expansion and contraction limited to each board. But with the "plywood" type of material the amount of change is somewhat less.