Installing Strip Flooring
Nailing Requirements
In general, the wider the wood flooring, the closer the nailing required (Nailing Schedule for Hardwood Strip Flooring, below). Inadequate nailing contributes to cracks and squeaks. Wherever possible, nail into joists.
Minimum nailing:
Strip flooring (under 4 in. wide): nail every 8 to 12 in.
Plank flooring (4 to 8 in. wide): nail no more than every 8 in.
Many installers prefer a closer nailing:
6- and 8-in.-wide planks: nail every 2 to 3 in.
4- to 5-in.-wide planks: nail every 3 to 4 in.
3- to 4-in. flooring: nail every 4 to 6 in.
Standard strip flooring (2 1/4-in.-wide): nail every 6 to 8 in.
Face-nailing plank flooring. In addition to blind-nailing, plank flooring (4 in. and wider) often requires additional fastening with countersunk screws or face nails. Some plank flooring is shipped with countersink holes and plugs. In general, fasten with one or more No. 7 to No. 9 flat-head screws at each end of a plank and at intervals along the length. If the flooring is not predrilled, use the recommended pilot-hole and countersink sizes below.
Figure: Pilot-Hole and Countersink Recommendations
| Hardwood | Softwood | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screw Size | Tapered Bit (in.) | Straight Bit (in.) | Tapered Bit (in.) | Straight Bit (in.) | Countersink Size (in.) |
| 7 | 5/32 | 7/64 | 9/64 | 3/32 | 5/16 |
| 8 | 11/64 | 1/8 | 5/32 | 7/64 | 3/8 |
| 9 | 3/16 | 9/64 | 11/64 | 1/8 | 3/8 |
| Hardwood | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Screw Size | Tapered Bit (in.) | Straight Bit (in.) | Countersink Size (in.) |
| 7 | 5/32 | 7/64 | 5/16 |
| 8 | 11/64 | 1/8 | 3/8 |
| 9 | 3/16 | 9/64 | 3/8 |
| Softwood | |||
| Screw Size | Tapered Bit (in.) | Straight Bit (in.) | Countersink Size (in.) |
| 7 | 9/64 | 3/32 | 5/16 |
| 8 | 5/32 | 7/64 | 3/8 |
| 9 | 11/64 | 1/8 | 3/8 |
