I researched the site and although I found a number of answers; a few remain unanswered. I will be installing a new floor in my living room and hallway, it will meet an existing hardwood floor in the dining and a tile floor in the side hallway. There is a full heated basement beneath the entire house.

1. Is there any problem installing a different floor (3/4" hardwood) against another. They will be different in appearance and the new one will run perpendicular to old floor?

2. If I need to trim the bottom of the door trim, how is this done without removing the trim?

3. I will be installing the new floor over 1/2" plywood, other than 15 lb. felt and other suggestions.

4. I have read the many discussions on nails vs. cleats vs. staples; what is your recommendation.

5. Would it make sense to buy a compressor since in the next year or so, I will be adding nailers to my workshop; and if I should buy what size compressor?

I plan on removing the existing molding and than tearing up the carpet, I want to reuse the floor molding since it is stained oak and would be very expensive to replace.

Did I miss anything?

Thank you in advance for your help.

I would appreciate any help or suggestions to my questions.

I'll chime in on compressors.
For your shop, depending on how much you plan on using it, get the biggest that you can afford.
For portability, you can either get a bunch of hose to stretch from your shop compressor, or get a pancake style compressor. I looked around at the local pawn shops in my area and picked one up for $60.

1) Are you installing the new floor next to the older floor or on top of the older floor?
2) Us pros usually use a jamb saw like a Crain Super saw. You can just use a scrap piece of wood as a guide and a hand saw and undercut the jambs and casings in place.
3) ? The felt goes over the plywood. It's not either/or.
4) Cleats or staples. Read the instructions that come with the flooring. If it's a N. American hardwood, it doesn't matter that much. Very hard woods like IPE and jatoba and such, some say cleats perform better.
5) A 2 HP electric with a decent recovery time will operate a single nailer just fine. Many in the $200.00 range.

Just a clarification... you already have hardwood and tile installed over a 1/2" thick subfloor?

How long has that been down, and do either exhibit any problems so far?

I will be replacing my existing carpet in my living room with hardwood floor; the new floor will meet an existing Bruce 3/4' hardwood floor, my wife is looking for a different type of hardwood floor for the living room, the two floors will meet in doorway and also the entrance way (foyer).

In addition the new floor will also meet an existing granite tile floor in the side entrance way. The subfloor is 1/2" plywood.


Sorry for the confusion and thank you for your help.