Hi. I going to install a wood floor in an "L" (living room/dining room "L") shaped room. My inclination is to start at the front of the room (top of the "L") and proceed from there. I got to thinking about possible irregularities (out of square construction, etc.) I might encounter when I get to leg of the "L". You know...the first run of board that will go the entire width of the room. Does anyone have any tips/advice for keeping the floor square throughout the entire area? Would it make more sense to begin the very first run of board at the widest part of the "L"? I sure would appreciate any advice. Thanks.

Start by squaring off the walls on the longest run. Pop a line out about 3 boards worth, from the wall(the ones that are going to be top nailed)

Then I dry assemble and cut back to the wall keeping everything tight and on my line. Then I top nail real good at the wall line, where the trim will cover. Then I disassemble, and use my finish gun, to blind nail the first row, along the wall. Then assemble rows, and blind the rows, with my trim gun, until my flooring nailer will fit and not damage the wall.

I think Floorguy is trying to say that installing along the legth of the "L" rather than the top of the "L" would be preferable. I would agree. Installation of hard wood should run the length of the room in general. The proceedures that he describes will give you a great start. The longest line will be your base of what is square. Remeber that no homes wall are square. Making them apear that the are is the trick. So the longest visual line will be what you are judged by.

Hi Floor Guy,

When you nail the first row at the wall on top, the female side of the tongue and groove is facing the wall correct, with the male side pointing away from the wall to staple into with a floor stapler once it clears the wall?

Also, when you choose which side to start, you are referring to the longest side, without the L part correct? So, meaning the left side of the letter "L" that is the side you start from to hide any out of square wall the best possible way?

Thanks again

LOL!!


Yes, the groove side faces the wall.

Cheers,

Just wanted to verify, it was my guess.......


Thanks,