How do you use the screwing and plugging method to install hardwood floors?
Question:I have 1400 sqft of unfinished birch 3 1/4" wide tounge-and-groove flooring of various lenghs from 6" long to 24" long that I will be installing. We got the hardwood very cheap and are selling the house and figure it would add value compared to the painted plywood floors now. So we want to do the job ourselves and very cheaply.
We have looked at blind nailing the floor down, however, we would need to rent a compressor and a floor nailer...costing around $60 day. We figure it will take us atleast 10 days to complete the project so that is out of the question.
I read about screwing and plugging and we will be whitewashing the floor after so we figure it is the easiest option. But I can't find any info on how to do it. How many screws do you put into each piece? How far apart? What kind of screws would be the best? Do you know of any books or websites that tell you how to do it?
Answers:
You have to pre-drill every piece first. Second you have to counter sink each hole so it can be refilled with wood putty(overfill by 1/16" so it can be sanded smoothly without refilling again). I have done this very thing this way,and it turned out great! I have been in maintainance for 21 years.
You dont need the compressor, you could rent a manual nailer for a lot cheaper.
Screwing and plugging involves drilling, counterboring and screwing down the flooring from the top surface, then you have to glue plugs in the counterbored holes to cover the screw heads. This is a LOT more work than just blind nailing them with flooring stapler.
If you think it's going to take 10 days with a floor nailer, then you should plan on about 30-40 days to screw and plug the floor.
To answer your question, you should put two screws per board,
approx. 3/4" in from each edge. Personally I would use 2" decking screws. DO NOT use drywall screws as they will have a tendency to snap in the birch.
More Related Questions & Answers...