Hi

I'm going to be installing hardwood flooring and have a few questions regarding the installation that I was hoping someone here could help me with. The flooring I'm installing is 3/4" x 3-1/4" T&G prefinished oak.

1) I'm installing the flooring in my living room, dining room and kitchen. The living room and dining room are separated by a fireplace that comes about 2/3 of the way into the rooms from the outside wall. I will be starting on the outside wall in these rooms and once I get out past the fireplace the boards in both rooms will meet up. How do I make sure that everything lines up past the fireplace? On the other side of the room is two staircases and the kitchen with an island so starting from there and working the other way isn't really an option.

2) I'd like to do a "picture frame" around the fireplace. How do I fasten these boards (top nail like the first row?) and how would I tie this in to the rest of the flooring?

3) Do I need to put down 15# felt paper or equivalent between the subfloor and the hardwood? The subfloor is 3/4" OSB and the flooring is going on the main floor with a fully finished basement underneath. The people at the store where I bought the flooring didn't think that anything would be required between the subfloor and hardwood.

Any help you could give me is much appreaciated.

Thanks
Matt

Dang, I paid good money, some stressful days and a little blood, to learn that!!! You mean I could have come here and learned for free? What a deal.



1.) Measure, measure, measure, then measure again. A popped chalk line for referrence works for me.

2.) Blind nail where you can, or glue them, just right there, since there won't be much in the width, with a foot or two.

3.) Yes, use asphalt impregnated felt. It is to keep wood to wood squeaks in check, along with humidity differences between the basement and the living space.


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