Hello. I have a floor to install and I am unsure of what will need to be modified at a later date. Top options are to install a rail with bartop on top of the planks or build a half wall. If I build a half wall, I will need to remove the first three rows of planks. I screwed in the first half row of planks. I intend to place the next rows and not nail down until row three. This way, I can unscrew the end row and remove the rows in the way of framing a wall. These planks will have little load and traffic. Will this work or should I nail in every row and rip them up later if needed. Please see below. Thank you.

Laying the first rows without nailing will not harm the layout of the room. Your plan toadd a wall later would not require removal of flooring, but removing the planks and fastening the wall plate to the sub-floor is a common practice. You would be saving materials that could be used in another area, Since you are doing the work yourself you have the freedom to make a plan.

whats with the 2 x 4?

Thank you for the quick replies. The 2x4 was going to be the base of the half wall framing. I bought everything to build the wall, then decided to do something a little more unique. I didn't nail the first two full rows and the first half row is screwed in. Figure I can slide them out and glue if needed.

I started nailing them all in but they would not stay straight. The screw row has 5 3" deck screws in it but it still shifted a little when nailing. Starting on row four, everything lined up perfectly. I had some tongue splitting but nothing major. Now I have to do the living room.

I am surprised that Home Depot no longer rents the 18GA Power Nail, or any 18GA cleat nailers at all. Seems like it is necessary for many types of wood. Luckily I was able to purchase one of their discontinued rentals.

Thought about laying them perpendicular to the dining planks. If the joists run the same direction, I will just go ahead with a parallel placement. Thing is that I have a 10' stair that's gonna end up with the 5" plank ends running down it if I don't change orientation. The wife thinks it would be awkward looking to lay perpendicular but I like the contrast.

Would like to do this on top of the floor and add a removable bar top to it. That way it can be just a railing or a breakfast bar.

When the flooring runs toward the bar it will become a focal point of the room.