Glue and nail floorboards or just nail? Or screw?

[wilco88]

Hi,

I have lifted the 1930's pine floorboards from my house. I plan to insulate underneath them and then re-lay and sand.

Should I:
1. Glue and nail them down
2. Just nail them down
3. Screw and glue
4. Just screw

Worried about squeeky floor boards.

Any advice would be great. Thanks.

 

[Deleted member 174758]

T&G or square edge? I've worked on nailed Victorian floors which after 100+ years service don't squeak. They are nailed, no screws or glue, but they are cramped up tight when they are installed (look up "flooring cramp" - these can be hired, as they are very expensive to buy) and there is always a slight gap around the edges. The other thing is how good are your joists? Did you have creaking before? Just wondering if there was any creaking it might be worth considering a row or two of solid strutting between the joists to stiffen them up. Also look at the ends of the joists to see how they connect into the walls - are they loose?

 

[wilco88]

T&G

 

[Deleted member 174758]

In that case use flooring cramps to get the floor nice and tight. Start with the tongue to the wall and use oval nails, punched under with a hammer and nail set

 

[wilco88]

Ok thanks.
Joists are good and there was no squeeking before. Keen that it stays that way.
Will look in to the flooring cramp.
Was planing on using secret nails, through the tongue, as they were when i took them up.

Thanks for your advice. Much appreciated.

 

[Jordan MacGregor]

Screws, every time. Drill a pilot hole and countersink the hole just enough for the head to sit flush/just below flush.