Floorboard screws and varnish

[chrissy121]

Hi there all.

Hopefully, this is a pretty simple one… I am renewing the floorboards in my dining room. I will varnish them after and that will be the finished floor. The boards are approx 3 meters long, by 1200mm across, and 21mm deep. I am wondering what screws to use. A mate has suggested floorboard screws. However, these seem quite hard to find, and seem to be especially made for tongue and groove flooring (as opposed to just plain floorboards). Does anyone have any suggestions of what screws to use? And also whether I would have to pilot?

I’m also wondering if anyone would have any tips on what varnish/colour to use. The boards are pine, but I am looking for a varnish that will protect the wood, but also take it to a very dark brown colour.

Many thanks and all tips/views will be greatly appreciated!

Chris

 

[joinerjohn]

The screws your mate is on about are called Tongue Tite screws

http://www.screwfix.com/p/tongue-tite-screws-3-5-x-45mm-pack-of-200/85991

Shop around though, you'll find them cheaper elsewhere. I have used them for engineered oak flooring and must admit they were brilliant.
As for the varnish, If your after a dark colour, I'd suggest staining the flooring after fixing it, then using Ronseal Diamond varnish on top.
Bear in mind than when the flooring is fixed, it will probably need a bit of sanding to take out any initial roughness of the pine boards. Then you need to go over with a vacuum cleaner before staining and varnishing.
PS when you say the boards are 3m long by 1200mm wide, I'm assuming that the boards are actually 120mm wide.