OK, so here is my question(s). We have laminate flooring in our kitchen and want real hardwood floors. My 3 questions are;



1) If we buy the "raw" red oak from say lowes or home depot (I have not price searched yet so go with it) does it need to be sanded first or if it does at all, when?



2) We like the flooring where you can see the nails and I assume that is what is called "top nailing" correct? I am however having a hard time finding a good website or article on this top nailign and how to do it.



3) I assume all these nail holes for top nailing are to be pre drilled correct?



4) What is the general pattern for top nailing? We have a craftsman style home and want to keep it somewhat in line with that style, thus the oak hardwood floors.

5) Is top nailing considered a "cheaper" way of doing it, or just a different way of doing it? I notice that dang near every site I came across hardly even mentioned it if at all and they all use the piston nail gun. I know it is more time consuming but it looks SO much better and I am trying to INCREASE the value of the home.



Thanks for anyones help or direction and yes I will continue to read the site.

This company is the leader in producing the 5/16" face-nailed (or top-nailed) oak flooring.
http://www.lebanonoak.com/
click on the 5/16" link, then click on the installation instructions near the top. This floor type is not for the DIYer. It requires a knowledge and skill, plus the proper tools; and the nailing is essential for proper performance. Lowe's and Home Depot don't sell this kind of flooring, only certain flooring distributors do. If you want this type of floor, I recommend hiring a very experienced flooring installer well versed in this exact type of flooring. I have laid many thousands of feet of it in the SF Bay area in my 25+ yrs. working here. I'm one of the very few who still use the Cavanaugh nailer to install it.

OK then I am confused because the more I read, the more I am finding these great (or at least the people owning/selling the house with it in them) oak floors that are top nailed, and they rave about how the installer took the time to nail each board, line it up, etc. I'm confused.......but thats nothing ew. lol Thanks for the link, I will look at it and read more. Thanks again!

These floors are not nailed by predrilling. Many installers today use pnuematic finish nailers that produce questionable results. The best way is the old Cavanaugh nailer. Or the new Hi Pro nailer by Lebanon. As I said, NOT a floor for DIYers.