Hi all

been looking around the internet for answers to my questions but came up empty and as I am a regular on various forums on varied subjects though Id sign up on here to see if I can get some advice from you guys.

this is my first wood flooring install but intend to do more of my house as I go along I feel pretty competent but a few areas concern me

I am doing a entry in Brazilian walnut 3/4 x 5" plank the bellawood from LL
my sub floor is 3/4 t/g plywood house is 20 years old
here are my main questions

what are your recommendations for a nailers I will be using 18 gauge cleats as to not split the tongues i am not worried about cost as I will sell the nailer once I am done and I hate using inferior tools that dont perform I was looking at the portanailer Thoughts and if there are any other tool recommendations let me know your opinions ?

I have already pulled up the existing floor and am in the process of sub floor prep there are some low spots and was going to use 15# felt to fill is there a max I should use before considering gluing down 1/4 plywood and sanding to feather in ?

as the flooring is 3/4 I think I am correct i need to leave a 3/4 gap for expansion? what I was considering doing was to cut the drywall so I can include a gap and hide with baseboard as I do not want to use a quarter round to hide the gap good Idea or not ??

My main concern which is worrying me is at the widest part of the entry the planks end on a stair nose each end as the entry floor is 8" higher than the 2 rooms it joins to how would these plank runs be installed ? and what about plank movement from expansion as the stair-nose is nailed down. I really would like to install this myself but this is my main concern. I have a full woodworking shop so if boards need to be routed or milled in any way I can do it on site.

any help from anyone is much appreciated and if you need pictures or floor-plans posted to assist in answers just let me know

You should work as a consultant for LL!

Because you probably know far more than they do judging by what you've said...

With a wider plank such as this, gluing and nailing is becoming more commonplace as it restricts potential cupping. Porta nailer is well respected as are the 18 gauge cleats for very hard exotics. Avoid using many layers of felt as it doesn't compress well (leaves soft areas) or at least that's been my experience. #30 felt would work better or the plywood taper idea.

Cut drywall? Often done.

Stair nosing? Hardwood floors expand more in the direction of where the tongue is facing. That was always a concern when I first started out but nobody ever had a good explanation. Keeping expansion space on the opposite wall is they key.

You could also run it perpendicular off the nosing as it also provides more of a visual of an actual step being there.