Nailing hardwood flooring near a wall requires careful attention to detail, especially regarding placement and spacing for proper expansion.
Understanding the Need for Nailing Near Walls
While standard hardwood floor installation often uses blind nailing (driving nails through the tongue of the plank), this method becomes difficult or impossible near the starting and finishing walls due to lack of space for a floor nailer. In these areas, face nailing (driving nails through the face of the board) is typically used, combined with predrilling to prevent splitting.
Key Steps for Nailing Near the Wall
Based on standard practice and your reference, here's how to effectively nail hardwood flooring near a wall:
- Install Spacers: Begin by placing spacers inside the expansion gap. This gap is the crucial space between the wall and the floor that allows the wood planks to expand and contract naturally with changes in heat and humidity. Maintaining this gap prevents buckling.
- Position the Plank: Place the hardwood plank into position next to the spacers.
- Predrill Nail Holes: To prevent the wood from splitting when nails are driven through the face, you must predrill nail holes.
- Placement: Predrill holes 1/4 inch from the narrow side of the plank. This is the edge facing into the room.
- Distance from Wall: Position these holes approximately 1/2 inch from the wall.
- Set Spacing: Continue drilling holes along the length of each board at 6-inch intervals. This consistent spacing ensures the board is securely fastened.
- Drive Nails: Once holes are predrilled, drive appropriate finishing nails or cut flooring nails through the holes into the subfloor.
- Countersink Nails: Use a nail set to drive the nail heads slightly below the surface of the wood.
- Fill Holes: Fill the countersunk holes with wood putty that matches the color of your flooring for a seamless finish.
Nail and Hole Placement Summary
Here's a quick reference for nail and hole placement near the wall based on the provided information:
| Action | Placement Detail |
|---|---|
| Predrill Holes | 1/4 inch from the narrow side of the plank |
| Approximately 1/2 inch from the wall | |
| Interval | Every 6 inches along the length of the board |
Why Predrilling and Proper Spacing Matter
- Predrilling: Hardwood can split easily, especially when nails are driven close to edges or ends. Predrilling creates a pilot hole, allowing the nail to pass through without causing damage.
- Expansion Gap & Spacers: Wood is a natural material that expands and contracts. The expansion gap and spacers ensure the floor has room to move, preventing the entire floor from pushing against the walls and buckling.
- Nail Intervals: The 6-inch spacing provides adequate fastening power to keep the board stable near the edge where blind nailing isn't used.
By following these steps, you can effectively secure the starter or finisher boards of your hardwood floor near the wall while maintaining essential structural integrity and accommodating natural wood movement.
