Hello there,

Great forum! Newbie here… interested in DIY hardwood floor for my home. I just placed an order for Bruce Waltham Strip Brass (http://www.bruce.com/hardwood/C8240.asp). I will likely start flooring in two weeks. So it is the perfect time for me to get the right tools and plan in place. Some quick questions –

1. Subfloor – My subfloor looks quite flat (two pictures attached below). My understanding is that I do not need to process it further. I just need to put one layer of tar paper on top of it before nailing the strips. Am I right?





2. Underlayment – A local sales guy recommended “aquabar” paper – is it good? If not, what is the recommendation?

3. Nails – How long should the nail be? The floor strips are 3/4 inches in depth. Is 1-1/2 inch long enough? Do I need 2-inch ones for sufficient holding power? And what type of nail should I use? Brad or finish nail? And what about this 15, 16, 18 gauge stuff? I guess my question is simply what I should use.

4. Nailer – I guess the nailer choice depends on the type of nail I use. I am looking at two now. One brad nailer, Porter Cable BN200B (http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18941), and one finish nailer, Porter Cable FN250C (http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=18948)? Are they good? And of course, which one should I choose?

5. Air compressor – Since I am not on time constraint, I am wondering whether a small, 1 gallon air compressor such as Campbell Hausfeld FP260000AV be good enough? http://www.cpocampbellhausfeld.com/campbell-hausfeld-fp260000av-1-gallon-pancake-air-compressor-with-inflation-kit/cbhnfp260000av,default,pd.html?start=11&cgid=campbell-hausfeld-compressors.

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks for your help in advance.

You need a flooring cleat nailer, or a floor stapler.

Don't even think about using a trim gun to blind nail the entire floor with!!

I can hear the squeaks from here.

Looks like that first corner shot has been wet. Better moisture check it. Plywood is good.

Thank you, sir. That is why reading online cannot substitute a forum!

As a newbie, I actually asked around. The flooring sales at Lowes said a trim gun similar to two above can work (I guess he was not wrong, but he did not mention that it is not good for the entire job.). Good to know it before placing my tools order. Now go looking for a cost effective flooring cleat nailer...

Probably due to the use of a humidifier during the winter time. Will leave the floor exposed for a few weeks. Hopefully it will be dry enough.

And will get a moisture gauge.

Thanks.