Hardwood Floor Installation Methods

There are four hardwood floor installation methods for hardwood floors. Your hardwood flooring professional will use one of these depending on the needs of your flooring type and their preference. Sometimes more than one method is on a floor to ensure it securing to the subfloor.

Nail Down

Nails are used to fasten the wood to the subfloor. This method is often used with thin wood flooring.

Staple Down

Staples are used instead of nails to attach the floor to the subfloor. This method is simpler than the nail down method.

Glue Down

Engineered wood floors and parquets can be glued down. The wood is adhered to the subfloor with a strong adhesive.

Floating

Floating floors are not attached to any subfloor, they simply float above it. Either adhesive is applied to the boards to keep them together, or the boards are made to simply snap together. Usually a pad is placed between the wood floor and the subfloor to protect against moisture and reduce noise. Floating floors can be installed over almost any surface.