Staple-down installation
Staple-down installation is used for prefinished, engineered hardwood flooring on wood subfloors. This method uses a narrow crown stapler—which has a special nose that guides the staple through the tongue at the perfect angle—to fasten the flooring to wood subfloors. Learn about staple-down installation for engineered hardwood below.
Materials Needed
3/8 and 1/2 thick products can use :
- 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inch 18 gauge staple
- 7/32 or 1/4 inch crown or
- 1 1/4 inch 20 gauge cleat
9/16 and 5/8 thick products can use a:
- 1 1/2 inch 15 gauge staple
- 1 3/4 inch 15 gauge clear
Resources
Things to keep in mind:
- Always review the instructions included in your box thoroughly before you start installation.
- Lay flooring only after sheetrock and tile work are thoroughly dried and all woodwork and trim have been completed.
- Please note, wood or plywood subfloors should not exceed 14 percent moisture content.
- During installation, keep working environment at a temperature of at least 60°F.
- Do not open your flooring packages until you’re ready to install.
- Flooring should be laid at right angles to the floor joists and, if possible, in the direction of the longest dimension of the room.
- Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure color and shade mix.
- End joints should never be closer than 4″ from each other.