Hardwood flooring must be installed over a sub floor of at least 3/4 inch plywood, Advantech sub floor, or 1x12 sub flooring. Particle board and chipboard;(OSB), are not approved sub floors for installing hardwood flooring. These instructions will work for all types of Hardwood flooring including Bamboo, Oak, Hickory, and Maple.

Let the flooring acclimate to the house for a few days before beginning installation. Manufacturers recommend at least three days. Open up as many boxes as possible during the acclimation process.

If in an existing home, carefully remove all baseboards being careful of the walls. Clean the floor completely making sure that all sawdust and wood chips are removed. Check to make sure the sub floor is nailed down tightly against the joists. Nail where needed. Put a layer of 15# felt over the sub floor. This serves as a vapor barrier and also helps prevent squeaks.

From the longest wall which is perpendicular to the joists measure and strike a line with a chalk line the width of a piece of flooring plus 1/2 inch. This will be where your first run will start. The extra 1/2 inch is for expansion. Using a drill and a small bit drill holes in the tongue of the first piece at an angle of 45 degrees approximately 8 inches apart. Use #8 flooring nails to nail the first run down making sure you keep it with the line. When you get to the end wall measure the piece 1/2 inch short to allow for expansion. The piece that is leftover from the cut piece can be used to start the next run. Repeat the same procedure for the second and third runs making sure the pieces are tight against the previous run.

Now you are ready to use the flooring nailer. Lay it one run at a time being careful to lap joints at least 6 inches and nail the flooring down every 6 to 8 inches. The last 4 to 5 runs will have to installed like the first three runs.

TIPS: Clean regularly as you go along. Lay the flooring out ahead of time and do it so the joints overlap saves a lot of time. Oil the nailer regularly throughout the day. I usually oil mine before I start the day and around noon. Get some latex filler that matches your flooring. You can fix any nicks or dings that happen during installation. Latex cleans up easily also.