I have a question regarding installation. We've pretty much decided that once I rip up my carpet, I'll be laying down Red Pine tongue and groove floor boards 5" wide. We are going for a warm room but with a modern twist. Once the floors are in they will be stained black and then coated with some sort of varnish. My question is as follows: All the talk I read for installing hardwood is using a pneumatic nail gun and nailing through the tongues. I have also seen many Pine floors that have been screwed down from the face of the board and plugged. This has a nice look and I'm thinking it may also be a more solid installation to avoid future buckling and squeaks. Which method would you recommend for a good solid long term installation? Is one easier than the other? I'm doing this myself and consider myself pretty handy but have yet to install a floor like this.

If it matters, there is a crawl space under this room and the sub-floors are likely plywood if I recall. My plan is to prep the sub-floor and lay down a vapor barrier (either plastic or roofing felt) before the Pine goes in. Suggestions on a vapor barrier are also appreciated.

Thank you!

Unless you are in love with the look of screwed and pegged I would nail the floors down. It's much quicker and easier. There's no need to worry about long term durability with nailing either. If done properly nailed floors will not buckle or squeak.

Are you really going to notice all the extra work of screwing and plugging after the floor is painted black?
We use a product called V-Lock under all main floor installations.