I've installed hardwood in 2 of my homes already... entire floor with single flow (one way throughout into rooms etc, have to get everything pretty straight).
Answers.
1) Yes get an air powered one, also you'll want a decent air compressor as the cheap ones are noisy as hell.
2. Google has tons of info, but generally. if you're not replacing the subfloor, rescrew down EVERYTHING, and make sure it's flat, then put down minimum 5/8 plywood T/G. Screw down. Then put roofing paper (staple down i u want so it doesn't curl). Then the floor goes on.
Recommendations/Comments.
- get a laser sight s you can get the baseline center where the main boards will go, then chalk line it.
- make sure the floor is relatively flat... fix it.
- fix all squeaks before putting down anything... you'll thank yourself later.
- budget for trim, unless you aim to reuse old.
- get a powered side cutter for door trim... save tons of sweat and makes clean cuts.
- remember to set the floor boards out for awhile, think it's 72hrs so get's used to the air humidity or something
- when starting center to sides, get a wooden center groove peice that slidesin the H/W board... so you can flow in both directions. all stores sell them for cheap.
- stairs are a biatch to do...
Read up on google though, tons of good info.
I've already acquired the wood, now tell me what I need to know about installing it. Any recommended guides to read online (especially any that deal with how to handle transitions or thresholds)?
Specific questions:
1) A co-worker of mine has been using a manual toe-nailer. He says that each time you hit it, it dispenses a nail... so if you didn't drive the nail all the way on the first hit, you have to stop and drive it in with a punch. This sounds like a pain in the ass. Is there a model that lets you drive multiple times? If not, what's the recommendation here? Air powered? I'll probably be renting this tool, but at 1000sq ft I need to install, I may snag a used one up if I can find something decent and sell it again when I'm done.
2) Underlayment: I've gotten all sorts of opinions on this from "It's bullshit" to "You neeeeed it to keep the floor from squeaking" I recall helping install a wood floor about 10 years ago when working for a contractor and never recall using it. I do think we glued + nailed a floor or two. Recommendations?