Two different hardwood flooring installation methods

Many say the installation is as important, if not even more so, than the product itself. An excellent installation makes for a beautiful, well-performing, and long-lasting floor.

Here are two installation techniques you?ll come across when shopping for new floors.

Traditional tongue and groove/nail down

This is the only installation technique used for solid hardwood floors. It's meant to enhance the wood's natural beauty.

Every wood plank has a protrusion (tongue) edge and a slot (groove) side. The installer will fit two planks pieces together by lining their edges where it forms an entire sheet which the installer then nails down.

Benefits of the traditional tongue and groove

Solid hardwood is beautiful. You'll see when you explore collections from BPI Prestige, Bruce, and DuChateau. They are all, and more, available in our flooring store.

The tongue and groove/nail down forms tight seams that reduce the need for nails. A nail can be unsightly and unsafe, especially if you step on it barefoot!

Tight seams also eliminate common moisture problems. Wood moves to adjust to humidity changes. Since the pieces fit together snugly, they're less likely to cup, crown or gap when the flooring swells or shrinks.

The floating floor technique

This is often used for engineered wood flooring, and wood looks like luxury vinyl, laminate, and waterproof flooring. You'll hear about floating floors a lot in our flooring company.

With a floating floor, pieces click to the mat. They then hover over the subfloor without nails or glue.

Any subfloor is acceptable as long as it's clean, dry, and level. Underlayments may or may not be installed.

Transform your home with flooring

Keller Design Floors is family-owned and award-winning with decades of experience. We want to help you with all your flooring needs.

Visit us at our location in Keller, TX, especially if you live or work in Roanoke, Southlake, or Colleyville. Other top brands include Mannington, Mohawk, US Floors, Daltile, Armstrong, Karastan, COREtec, and more.