Hi all, first time post. Great forum!

I'm a fairly handy person (flipped houses, installed loads of other flooring types), however I've never installed nail down HW floors.

My problem: I'm contemplating the purchase of 950 sq ft of 3/4" prefinished brazillian cherry flooring. I was planning on installing this myself (first purchasing a Bostitch MIII cleat nailer). Familiar with pneumatic tools, I figured I would have to test the nailer to adjust the depth, etc... However, I just read the wood retailer's website and they do not recommend using a nailer for installation of 3/4" BC. In fact, they recommend pre-drilling and hand nailing... Unacceptable to me.

I wrote their online help section and received a response telling me that I might luck out with the BC, that it's only some shipments of wood require pre-drilling (dependent on where/when it was harvested). However, it would be a gamble. They directed me to consider some 3/8" BC in a glue-down application over my 1" plywood subfloor.

Before I'd hand nail, I'd buy some 3/8" BC and install that with a stapler. (I'm assuming glue down isn't recommended by people on this forum).

I called the actual store and spoke with the manager. He said every installer they recommend uses a nailer for BC installs. He reported that he has never heard of a problem (other than a rare split tongue), and that he's never heard of an installer having to hand nail BC. Also, he did not recommend the glue down method for 3/8" BC. He said the difference in 3/8" and 3/4" after the install would be negligible (not really noticable other than in height). He said the 3/4" would be a little stronger (and noticeable if we'd had a weak subfloor).

I would prefer the 3/4" BC over the 3/8". The brands and colors are the same, but the 3/4" seems more solid to me. The 3/8" is considerably cheaper, but I'll spend the money for a better product. I'm fairly new to HW floors, so I'd appreciate some advice:

1- Is the 3/4" BC significantly better than 3/8"
2- If so, why?
3- Is the 3/4" worth a $1.50+ per sq foot more?
4- Would people recommend I get the 3/4" considering the warning against nailers? Can a nailer be used in most applications (with care to set it correctly)?
5- What would be the recommended stapler for 3/8" BC?
6- Did I miss anything? Is therer something else I'm not considering?

I'm completely re-doing all doors/jams/and wood trim in the house, so floor height doesn't factor.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Trihonda

1) IMO, it's preferable. And more solid feeling.
2) Think about it. Thicker= stiffer=stronger when nailing. Plus more refinishes
down the road.
3) Probably not.
4) You can nail (staple/cleat) the 3/8 as well with the CORRECT nailer.
5) High Pro or Spot nails, Senco, Floor Runner staplers all will handle 3/8" flooring nicely
6) You say 1" subfloor. EXACTLY, what is your subfloor? Do you KNOW? That matters in choosing the right flooring. What is the span of the floor joists? For 3/8", the subfloor needs to be stiffer than for 3/4" because it (3/8") will not contribute any strength to the floors, whereas the 3/4" will.

BTW, I've always nailed down my 3/4" B.C. Sometimes, you'll get a tongue split or a bent fastener. Just part of nailing harder hardwoods. Get oak if you don't want nailing problems.

The subfloor seems like a thicker plywood (3/4" probably), with another layer of plywood (3/8" or 5/8") laid on the top. The actual thickness is a tad over an inch. I currently have vinyl glued down to the top layer, so I will remove the vinyl. Its not glued down very well, so I planned to scrape up the vinal, ensure there were no large raised sections of glue (sand anything that is), and then install the BC over the top (using a felt underlayment). Removing the top ply layer is porblematic, for a myriad of reasons.

I'd like the 3/4", but we'll have to see about price. Is the Bostitch MIII FN a good choice for 3/4"?

If we go with 3/8", what model of Stapler would you recommend? (you mentioned several brands). I've heard good things about Bostitch in general, but am unfamiliar with any specific models for floor application for 3/8".

I really appreciate your answer. Thanks again.