Tools and Materials

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About Solid Hardwood Flooring

A living room with light hardwood floors, a white couch and built in bookcases.

Solid hardwood flooring has a rich, attractive appearance that adds value and style to your home. It's often installed in the living room, kitchen, bedroom or dining room. There are different types of solid hardwood flooring, including 3/4-inch solid and 5/16-inch solid. Which you choose depends on where you’ll be installing the floor. You should only install 3/4-inch solid hardwood on a plywood subfloor at or above ground level. If you have a concrete subfloor at ground level, 5/16-inch hardwood will work.

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Good to Know

When buying hardwood flooring, carefully consider whether or not your manufacturer offers a warranty. A lifetime warranty, as defined by the manufacturer, is key when shopping for a solid hardwood floor.

Tips for Installing Hardwood Floors

Before you install wood flooring, read through these tips to help make your project as smooth as possible. Keep in mind, installation can vary by project and the flooring you’re using, so always follow the instructions for the hardwood you’re working with.

Wood floor installation requires a level subfloor and that your hardwood flooring is acclimated to the room’s humidity and temperature according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. You’ll also need to remove the baseboards. To learn how to get a room ready for new hardwood flooring, see our articles on prepping a plywood subfloor or prepping a concrete subfloor for new flooring.
In most cases, you’ll want to start installing from the straightest, longest wall. Install the flooring perpendicular to the floor joists to give your floor the most strength. You can mark where the floor joists are on the wall.
Make sure you have the right amount of flooring for your project. Since hardwood is sold in full case quantities, a good general rule is to round up your order. You can use our wood flooring calculator to help get an estimate.
Use an underlayment or moisture barrier to cover the floor before adding the hardwood. These offer benefits including sound dampening and protection against spills.
It’s important to install solid hardwood floors at or above ground level.
To make the process easier, come up with a plan on how to lay the boards to fit the size and shape of your room. Use boards from several different cases and lay them out in the room. Once you’ve seen how they need to be placed, set them out in the order that they’ll be installed.
Stagger the end joints. This creates an offset from the end of the board in the previous row, improving aesthetics and floor stability.
If you’re installing the floors yourself, wear protective gear. Gloves, knee pads and safety glasses can help keep you safe and comfortable while you work. Use safety glasses and a respirator when cutting the flooring.
If you’re not sure you’re up for the challenge of a do-it-yourself install, Lowe’s has professional independent installers that can do the job for you.

Caution

You can't use a glue-down installation method with 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring or if you’re working on a plywood subfloor. The glue down method works best for 5/16-inch solid hardwood installed on a concrete surface. Please refer to the manufacturer’s installation instructions for planks 5 inches or wider.

Getting Started

There are four different installation types for hardwood flooring: nail-down, interlocking, glue-down and staple-down.

Nail-Down Installation Method: This is the most common choice for solid wood flooring installation due to its cost-effectiveness. Because of the way nails are driven into the boards, they’re nearly invisible once the project is complete. A wood subfloor is required for this type of installation.
Interlocking Installation Method: Also known as click-lock installation, this is great for DIY installation. The boards simply click into place, quickly creating a new floor.
Glue-Down Installation Method: This method works great if you’re installing hardwood on a concrete floor, where the glue will easily bond to the surface.
Staple-Down Installation Method: Similar to the nail-down method, it uses staples to secure boards to the subfloor. Stapling offers a strong initial hold because of the staple’s two-pronged design — but may not be as forgiving as nails with movement as flooring expands and contracts. As with nails, it requires a wood subfloor.

Learn how to install wood flooring for each type by following the instructions below.

Nail-Down Installation Method

For your first row, you’ll want the straightest planks, arranged with the tongue side facing the center of the room. Place spacers inside the expansion gap — the space between the wall and floor that allows the wood to expand from heat and humidity. Predrill nail holes 1/4 inch from the narrow side of the plank at 1/2 inch from the wall. Continue at 6-inch intervals for the length of each board.

Good to Know

Mix boards from each box of flooring to ensure the finished product has a blended color and finish without patchiness.

Because the pneumatic nailer is hard to maneuver near the wall, face-nail the first few boards in place. Countersink the nails with a nail punch and fill the remaining hole with matching putty. Then blind-nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue. Make sure to countersink the nail so it doesn't interfere with the board-to-board connection.

Good to Know

Blind-nailing is a method of concealing a nail using the adjacent installed board. For tongue-and-groove flooring, drive a nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue, then conceal it by engaging the groove of the next board. Be sure to countersink the nail — drive it slightly below the surface of the wood — to prevent interference in the joint.

pneumatic nailer on partially intalled hardwood floor

Blind-nail the second row through the tongue and repeat the process until you’re able to use the flooring nailer. The flooring nailer requires room to work, so it typically can't be used until two to four rows have been installed. When using a flooring nailer, be sure to install the nailer's protective boot to protect the flooring.

Caution

As you move forward along the floor, maintain the expansion gap on each end of the room.

wood glue floating in the groove of a small final piece of solid hardwood flooring

When you get to the last few rows, switch back to nailing by hand. On the last row, cut the pieces to fit, measuring the distance from the wall to the board — not the tongue — minus the expansion gap.

If the final piece is 1 inch wide or less, apply a small amount of wood glue to the tongue and groove. Then insert the piece with a pry bar and a piece of scrap wood to protect the wall. If the final piece is larger than 1 inch wide, face-nail the piece, countersink and fill the hole with matching putty.

Interlocking Installation Method

Good to Know

For this installation type, you’ll only need nails for the first row of boards.

A person using a hammer to countersink nails.

Face-nail the first few boards in place. Countersink the nails with a nail punch and fill the remaining hole with matching putty. Then blind-nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue. Make sure to countersink the nail so it doesn't interfere with the board-to-board connection.

Good to Know

Glue-Down Installation Method

A person spreading flooring adhesive with a trowel.

Start by spreading the flooring adhesive with a trowel. Only spread enough to install the first few rows at a time to keep the glue from drying before you get to that part of the floor. Then lay the first row, arranging the tongue side of the board facing the center of the room. Place spacers inside the expansion gap — the space between the wall and floor that allows the wood to expand from heat and humidity.

Good to Know

The glue-down method is a great choice for installing hardwoods over a concrete floor. A moisture barrier isn’t typically required for this type of installation; however, if you’d like that extra layer of protection, you can choose an adhesive with a moisture barrier.

Staple-Down Installation Method

A person pre-drilling nail holes in a hardwood flooring board.

For your first row, you’ll want the straightest planks, arranged with the tongue side facing the center of the room. Place spacers inside the expansion gap — the space between the wall and floor that allows the wood to expand from heat and humidity. Even though you’ll be using staples as the primary fastener for installation, you’ll still need to secure the first row with nails. Predrill nail holes 1/4 inch from the narrow side of the plank at 1/2 inch from the wall. Continue at 6-inch intervals for the length of each board.

Good to Know

Mix boards from each box of flooring to ensure the finished product has a blended color and finish without patchiness.

Because the pneumatic stapler is hard to maneuver near the wall, face-nail the first few boards in place. Countersink the nails with a nail punch and fill the remaining hole with matching putty. Then blind-nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue. Make sure to countersink the nail so it doesn't interfere with the board-to-board connection.

Good to Know

A person using a Metabo pneumatic stapler to install hardwood floors.

Once you have enough room, begin using the flooring stapler. The flooring stapler requires room to work, so it typically can't be used until two to four rows have been installed. When using a flooring stapler, be sure to install the stapler’s protective boot to protect the flooring.

As you’re stapling, be sure the staples are placed every four to eight inches on the boards, each at a 45-degree angle between the board and the tongue. You’ll need to make sure you choose the correct size staples for the job to ensure they only attach the boards to the subfloor, not go all the way through. This can damage your floor. Look to the manufacturer’s instructions for guidance on staple size.

Caution

As you move forward along the floor, maintain the expansion gap on each end of the room.

A person applying wood glue in the groove of a small final piece of solid hardwood flooring.

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How to Install Hardwood Floors

Tools and Materials

Tools

Materials

About Solid Hardwood Flooring

Tips for Installing Hardwood Floors

Getting Started

Nail-Down Installation Method

Interlocking Installation Method

Glue-Down Installation Method

Staple-Down Installation Method

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