Hi guys, found the forum tonight and had a couple of questions if you don't mind. Moved into a house recently and found nice hardwood under the carpet, but once we got it all up we found the hallway is trashed.

So the plan now is to just rip up that little area and lay some new, and since that area also flows into the eating area and kitchen we will take up the laminate and put hardwood in there.

Went to a hardwood flooring store with a piece that I took up, and they were able to match where it came from.. Red oak from Kentucky I believe?

So my questions...

By sanding the old and the new should this match pretty well? Or will it be noticeable? The store thinks it will match perfect.

Best product to fill all the holes left by carpet tack strips/staples before I sand?

First time doing this, so I planned on renting a ezv sander from home depot

Was also wondering the best fasteners, the subfloor is only 1/2" ply.. But since we are matching the entire rest of the house and it is just on 1/2" I can't really do much about that. Will be using the harbor freight nailer

Any other tips for a first timer? Little nervous about the process since refinishing hardwood is new to me.

Really appreciate any help!
Thanks
John

ok, maybe the long post scared you guys off. going to try and keep it quick and easy

3/4 solid oak, matching old floor. only 1/2 subfloor and using harbor freight nailer. what would the best fasteners be for this? and should i just try and hit joists since only 1/2 ply?

and what would be the easiest filler for me to use before the finish to fill any small gaps/spaces/face nail holes along the wall?

going to be laying it down sometime next week.

thanks!
john

Don't use 2" fasteners, 1½" is all you want. You will have massive squeaks if the fasteners blow out the bottom of the subfloor.

I really don't recommend going over ½", but you know the risk!

I like Woodwise Patch. If your using red oak flooring, get the red oak colored patch.
http://www.woodwiseproducts.com/woodfil ... patch.html



Not a bad idea. However, 1&1/2" fasteners won't get you there. Sorry Perry!
NOFMA recommends a 5/8" MINIMUM subfloor, so you're shy by an 1/8. Make sure you install at 90 degrees to the floor joists.

A 2" fastener is going to blow through ½" plywood, and the nailing schedule isn't 16" for strip flooring. Have some clips of 2" and trade them when you get to a joist.

Of course, you knew I was aware of the. It's 10" to 12" for strip. I'm wondering if even those 1&1/2" staples/cleats wouldn't be poking through 1/2" plywood a bit. Since I never run into 1/2" subfloors, I've never checked. Seems like I need to do some testing. I have 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4" plywood and the two different size staples and the wood. When I get some time, I'll do a test and post the results here.

Thanks for the replies guys, appreciate. It.

I'm only installing new wood in a small hallway and small eating area, unfortunately it's matching existing on both sides so staying with 1/2” ply seems to be my only option.

Since it’s so small of an area I suppose I could use 2” and hit the joints, then swap and come back between with 1 1/2”

Will either staples or cleats have a better chance at not squeaking? Not really sure what the preference is with 3/4 solid oak

Thanks again

Either one will work just fine. Watch for tongue split caused by air pressure too high.