Hi folks,
Just about to start a job that I've not done before and wondered if anyone had any advice. I'm laying a new (pre-finished) t&g 18mm oak floor onto existing joists. I've got all the old floor boards up and the joists seem in pretty good nick, I've hired a Porta-nailer and think I'm all set to go..
Just a few thoughts....
1) I've had the new floor boards in the room for about a month now so they should have acclimatised - do you think I should use a clamp to tighten the floor up as I go or will a soft mallet and a portanailer do the job.
2) The joists are pretty level but are up and down a little bit - say max 3 or 4mm - should I use an underlay over the joists to minimise the risk of any noise or squeaks?
3) Where should I start setting them out? Start from one wall or in the middle? Any advice on getting the first row straight?
4) There's quite a lot of short lengths and I know I'm going to struggle to get all the board ends to sit over a joist. The boards are t&g on all sides - so am I OK to have the board ends not sitting on a joist?
Thanks in advance for your advice....
grimster
Just about to start a job that I've not done before and wondered if anyone had any advice. I'm laying a new (pre-finished) t&g 18mm oak floor onto existing joists. I've got all the old floor boards up and the joists seem in pretty good nick, I've hired a Porta-nailer and think I'm all set to go..
Just a few thoughts....
1) I've had the new floor boards in the room for about a month now so they should have acclimatised - do you think I should use a clamp to tighten the floor up as I go or will a soft mallet and a portanailer do the job.
2) The joists are pretty level but are up and down a little bit - say max 3 or 4mm - should I use an underlay over the joists to minimise the risk of any noise or squeaks?
3) Where should I start setting them out? Start from one wall or in the middle? Any advice on getting the first row straight?
4) There's quite a lot of short lengths and I know I'm going to struggle to get all the board ends to sit over a joist. The boards are t&g on all sides - so am I OK to have the board ends not sitting on a joist?
Thanks in advance for your advice....
grimster