How NOT to Install Wood Floor

www.builddirect.com/OrderSampl...
BuildDirect Co-Founder Rob Banks takes you through an unsuccessful wood flooring installation, shows you what went wrong, and how to avoid the same errors.
Get the best wood floors at the best prices! www.builddirect.com/Wood-Floor...
What is BuildDirect? It's home improvement made simple, for less. The best products, the best prices, free samples, and more! Learn how we can help your home renovation project at www.BuildDirect.com - we'll be your new best friend, honest!
Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the video, we've got a treasure trove of how-to guides, buyer's information and more on our KZbin channel!
Click here to SUBSCRIBE:
bit.ly/1gwilxP
----------------------
Want more?
GET INSPIRED on the BUILDDIRECT BLOG!
blog.builddirect.com/?...
LEARNING CENTRE! DIY! HOW-TO GUIDES!
learn.builddirect.com/?...
FREE SAMPLES! (No credit card required! Yay!)
www.builddirect.com/samples_b....

[@billsmith6745]

WOW, fantastic video Rob. Thanks for sharing your hard earned experience with us, your generosity is appreciated.

[@deandecoursey7721]

As a hardwood flooring contractor for 40 years and having only installed 4 engineered flors in that time, I’m happy to stick with 3/4 inch thick flooring, either unfinished or pre finished, and give my customers a product that will last the life of the house (with care) and can be refinished if necessary.

[@paulscandizzo8904]

If i didn't understand that the hall way is the focal point of hard wood flooring, Id be lost as hell. Thank Dean

[@tripplesixx4556]

Greetings from CA, USA. I'm in my 5th year in the industry. Specifically demo for a restoration company. You sir are a professional, and a great teacher/leader. Mr.Banks thanks for insight and expertise. I am getting interested in the repair aspect of my passion. -respect and honesty -

[@zachjohnson7654]

As a customer about ten years ago, I agree with all this. BTW, the strand woven bamboo was an excellent product. Great info. We figured all this out during install. I am a bit ocd, so my wife and I noticed and corrected these as we installed flooring for our first time. Since then we have installed 3 more floors and know to look out for these issues. Great video, as always.

[@Zedmondo1]

this guy know what he's talking about. Thanks for the advice

[@ztog]

Probably the most useful video on the subject. Thank you.

[@builddirect]

+ztog You're very welcome! Glad you enjoyed.

[@tripplesixx4556]

I'm from the future 2018. You are correct.

[@Mike9201984]

Rob Banks....what a gangster name!

[@Marylmac]

Hahaha...didn't pick that up at first!

[@y002cjw]

Could be Robin Banks 🤦‍♂️

[@CecilDSouza]

Very good advice. Thank you for those valuable tips.

[@DJK0880]

Thank you for this video!! Super helpful!

[@DOLRED]

Started watching this video and found it to be one of the best concise ones for information. Worth watching for immediate DIY work. Ignorance is bliss but a nightmare when you recognize your mistakes!!!!---

[@builddirect]

DOLRED Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed the video. If you want to know more, or need some home renovation products of your own, reach out to us at www.builddirect.com!

[@magalenarosales353]

+BuildDirect solon logo art

[@2ZeldaLovers]

Great tips, thank you!

[@msp22bze]

THANK YOU!!! We are installing a floating glue wood floor currently. I had researched most of what is on this video but never came across the strapping!!! I wish more videos focused on the errors people have made. This was great information!

[@builddirect]

You're very welcome Lisa! Glad we could help! You can find more great videos on our KZbin channel, if you want to subscribe. :)

[@kathyphipps6165]

Thank you! That is what I wanted to hear!

[@fjcir]

That was the most useful video I've seen on installing engineered wood flooring. I saved it and will be going back to it when I start my project. Thanks.

[@builddirect]

Glad to hear it FJ! Please let us know if can help you source any materials for your project. Good luck!

[@antv38]

what a great video. thanks for the help!!

[@jkrohn22]

thanks for the video, One question, however, I've heard the issue that hardwood floors will move. How do they move if they are nailed to the subfloor?

[@chimeraskeep632]

Thanks for taking the time to explain all these small but important tips - especially for someone like me who is going to attempt this for the first time, and would never think of some of these pointers, namely the use of spacers... great video!

[@builddirect]

Thanks for the awesome feedback! We're glad that the video was able to help you. Good luck on your future project!

[@carriemaychapman]

Great advice thanks very much!

[@oscarbetancourt1462]

thanks for the. advice in the video.

[@exiguous1]

Thank you Rob.Great video

[@sharit7970]

Very informative!! Some of this stuff I knew, but not all. Thanks for posting!

[@builddirect]

Hi Shari, Thank you for watching and for getting in touch. We're glad to hear that you found this video useful- please don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any additional questions. 877-631-2845

[@fionarow2931]

Awesome video! Hopefully you showed the video to your installers!

[@jeffreyford4568]

Excellent video. I do have a question for you. I am installing a 8 inch wide plank prefinished hardwood floor in my DR. Is It best to trim the first board so you last plank has at least 3 inches of meat on It to blind nail and glue?

[@pcno2832]

About 15 years ago, the guy at that flooring place you always hear about (the "liquidator" people) told me it would be OK to glue a 5/16 oak floor on tile. Well, it didn't work on my tile, which turned out to be asphalt with a waxy surface and permanently sticky glue holding it down. It started popping loudly about 6 months after I installed it. But I didn't panic and rip it all out; I just started taming the worst places with "Squeak No More" screws. I eventually figured out that, with 5/16 flooring, regular trim screws, installed at a 45 degree angle with the plane of the angle parallel to the grain worked much better and for less money; with the screw just below the surface, the shards of wood could be tucked back into the hole and sealed with super glue, then sanded flat. The final result is short of perfect, but this was tavern grade flooring from the start and it was always my plan to fix any areas that got worn by rough sanding and re-coating any boards that need it (a few foam-brushed coats of water based polyurethane seems to produce a mirror finish without fine sanding). This has worked well and if I ever move out, all I'll have to do is lightly sand the whole thing and give it a full coat to unify the surface, avoiding any major re-finishing that would threaten the life of such a thin floor. So, although I wouldn't repeat my initial mistake, I'm not regretting the fact that I took on this project. Its successes and setbacks were both valuable lessons.

[@tomblanco2901]

Specific clear concrete advice. I love it! I noticed that the drywall in this room had not been floated. It is easier and way less stressful to float and tape the walls before the finish floor is installed. If you drop a tool or spill some mud on the raw concrete it's no big deal to fix the chip or clean up the mess. If you are working over the finish floor it's a BIG deal. Do yourself a favor; float, prime and paint the walls and ceiling before you put down the floors. The drywall work will go faster and you'll enjoy it more.

[@builddirect]

Tom Blanco Thanks for the great tips, Tom! And thanks for the kind words. Just a huge thank you, all around. :)

[@russellmohr9758]

Tom Blanco drywall is hung the wrong way also!!

[@herrehhh4628]

Thank you for sharing !

[@TwylaWorld]

Great video! thank you!

[@jgolen220]

Very professional and expert advice! Good job!

[@builddirect]

Hi J Golen, Thank you for watching and for your kind feedback. We are so glad to hear that you found the video useful.

[@wascallywabbit8940]

Took me 6 years, but I'm glad I found it. :-) Nicely done. Thanks.

[@builddirect]

Thank you for watching! Glad you found our video helpful :)

[@nukestrom5719]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@Matt2chee]

Maestro, Thank You.

[@WMBisme]

Thank you!

[@yasminhusain213]

Great video, thanks

[@pondera2450]

I hadn't thought about planning ahead where to rip the first and last rows of boards. Thanks.

[@rajakarim4381]

I was unsure to learn 'what not to do' but found it very useful and informative,Thanks.

[@builddirect]

+Raja Karim Glad we could help you out Raja!

[@mikethomas8773]

Hi Rob, thinking about what you've said about the floor expanding and moving, how would you install a kitchen, where the unit legs are sitting on the floor, and the floor will be moving around under them.

[@Antwon627]

Great video!

[@easiklipfloors6979]

Love BuildDirect! Thanks for the great video Rob :)

[@builddirect]

Thanks for the great feedback. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@builddirect]

We love the feedback :) Thank you for watching!

[@blairmmackinnon5808]

Fantastic video from a true pro’.

[@nitacharron]

Thank you!!!

[@markgibbins4143]

Very informative 👌

[@markvalender]

Thanks Robert, A very informative demo.

[@builddirect]

mark valender You're very welcome! If you have any questions that weren't answered by the video, feel free to reach out to us anytime at [e-mail].

[@TheRooibosSuite]

Question. I plan to purchase glue down vinyl flooring from you, hopefully within the next two weeks. My subfloor is plywood and I want to install an underlayment. what type do you recommend?

[@marymacbrookins]

This is so helpful! Thank you!!!

[@builddirect]

Thanks so much for the great feedback! So glad it was helpful.

[@iananddani]

Wow yeah. A how to plus a how not to I think is enough to cover everything you need to know!

[@adrianburrows1169]

I'm looking to construct a wood floor from pallets. My concern is it possible to glue them together over a cement slab? I understand that I need to utilize an underlyment, but what should you suggest.

[@tonywise1994]

Great summary of things to NOT do :-) Very helpful for my first install.

[@Mandable84]

Hello, Looking to put down eng hardwood on a concrete slab, on grade, no apparent moisture. What is your recommend method?

[@cliffcarlo180]

This video was extremely helpfull. I am now not laying a wood floor....

[@TonchyShultz]

Totally correct ..many people start without planning or they are totally unorganized ..Thx for sharing! :-)

[@builddirect]

Exactly! Prepping your instal should be part of your installation :) Thank you for your feedback.

[@chrislambe400]

Great video. From a European mainland perspective quality engineered flooring: 30 cm 12 inches overlap. 10 cm 4 inches strips minimum. Glue used is elastic and expensive 100 Euro for 19 KG 40 Pounds bucket. Will do a 15 M2 160 sqft. room with in floor heating. Floating floors are history as the law requires fully glued floor with in floor heating. Nobody uses radiators or forced air heating here. Pretty much all heating is air/water heat pumps. The screed floor is joined to corridors and adjoining rooms with wavy metal plates epoxied into slits cut in the floor (google the german term "estrichklammer") This allows you to go from one room to the corridor and into another room without worrying that the screed floor will move. My top tip is to cut a bit off the first row if you want to continue out the door and then into an adjacent parallel room - starting with a full row might bite you when you go to the next room and discover a one inch gap at the wall.

[@sagittariushorse1088]

Great HOW NOT TO VIDEO. Thanks for sharing.

[@manfredziegerer9110]

thank you sir! you the best We need mooohr people like You

[@builddirect]

Thank you for watching Manfred, we're glad you enjoyed it :)

[@natanfatakhov6161]

Thank for the education, is it necessary use a glue for a hard wood floor?

[@roelvandenberg7705]

Very informative. Thanks!!

[@builddirect]

You're very welcome Roel! Hope the video helped your own home improvement project.

[@chihuahuaverde425]

Nice video!

[@zZzYQ9]

Very helpful and informative, thank you! I feel bad for the people who laid this floor and had to pay to fix it. This is why you do your research and make sure you have the correct knowledge and tools before starting a project!

[@builddirect]

Hi Tessa, thanks for the great feedback!

[@GmGarlo]

like the idea , how not to install. great tips Thanks!!!!

[@raymondleach9763]

Thanks for the information. Now I know what to look for if I have someone install my floors.

[@builddirect]

Glad you found the video helpful!

[@ricklindsey3150]

Thank you Greg Kettner for suggesting this video.

[@1sWorld]

Thank you soooo much

[@brianreddeman951]

This video was enough for me to re-think the DIY approach for my wood flooring project. I've done tile and carpet before but after watching this video (and several installation videos) wood flooring is better left for the professionals.

[@ghayes6931]

Brian Reddeman My husband and I have installed glueless sheet vinyl, porcelain tile, glue down LVT, solid oak planks (tongue and groove nail down installation) and bamboo (tongue and groove nail down). Of all these options, I consider the wood planks to be the least troublesome options Perhaps this is due, at least in part, to my having a very artistic eye, and my husband being a good source of labor (he handles the nailer). The oak flooring we installed (1000 sq feet) four and a half years ago, was our first installation, and it was a lower grade unfinished product, yet it has proven to be an awesome flooring surface for which we continue to get compliments. In our next house we are currently installing pre-finished solid oak; it's a piece of cake by comparison.

[@cristianonisoli7762]

Excellent

[@LightTheWay2012]

Hi Rob.. Can I install a oak plank floor over an existing wood floor in a living room apartment? Thanks... Mchael

[@Alan-hd6vc]

Should you glue joints in solid or engineered hardwood floor in a glue down application to concrete? I’v read you should never glue joints in a solid hardwood to allow for movement.

[@StrongTyer]

Fantastic tips! Thanks.

[@builddirect]

Thanks for watching Tyler!

[@joshmaddox5682]

Brilliant video thank you sir

[@builddirect]

Thanks!

[@ismaelcarrillo1937]

Great tips. Im half way on finishing my 900square feet diy hardwood flooring. But just wanted to ask if its ok to leave a 5" gap? If not i need to throw away about 4 boards on every packages i got because thats their size plus i got others random lengths. Up to 6 ' . so i think i disagree on the gaps on hardwood installation. Other then that your legit.

[@azytaahmadi6363]

THANKS A MILLION

[@Earthwatcher57]

Great video, very helpful.

[@builddirect]

Hi Earthwatcher, Thank you for watching and for your feedback. So glad to hear you found it helpful.

[@ronjames5894]

Thanks Robert. Great advise!

[@builddirect]

You're very welcome Ron! If you have any other home renovation questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail]

[@johnperalta3515]

BuildDirect do you have to install the foam underlayment first or on a mobile home can you just put the wood floor on that black paper cuz my mom insists on not buying it cuz it's extra money and I told her you probably need the foam under layment or it might crack or squeak. right?? Or do you think it will be fine with black paper

[@suemccarthy1]

Some great Tips..thanks

[@builddirect]

Hi Sue, glad the video was helpful!

[@richgouette]

thank you sir!

[@OmarMartinez-wh2xl]

Every tip counts, thank you !

[@builddirect]

Thank you Omar! We appreciate you taking the time to watch our video :)

[@cyannwilliams4112]

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU!!!!!!

[@finishedflooring9088]

Good video, different products move in different ways. Personally I have never used straps or tape to hold a floating floor together. I use a cross linking pva, not all floating T&G flooring requires strapping.

[@builddirect]

Thanks for the great feedback!

[@eclipseflooringdaz1656]

Nice video. Lots of good tips.

[@builddirect]

darren ewing Thanks Darren! Glad you enjoyed.

[@tomtomshay9888]

good one

[@shamstahos5003]

Great video. Ive laid down four rows and after watching this I will go and double check some of the things diacussed on your video esp the measurements between the walls.

[@magalenarosales353]

salons

[@closer20jc]

I did my whole kitchen like a damn imbecile

[@dodgedabullet670]

Thanks, now I can speak to my flooring person with some understanding.

[@Migkiller1971]

Great Video Rob! In the market to buy solid hardwood floors. Will definitely look at your floors.

[@builddirect]

***** Thanks for the kind words! If I may be so bold, BuildDirect does have a GREAT selection of hardwood floors. Have a look for yourself here: www.builddirect.com/Wood-Flooring.aspx

[@charliewilliams3826]

I often watch videos until I hear people say "whatever you do, don't do this" or "most people make this common mistake"...then I know I really have a grasp on whatever it is I am out to do by myself. Great video...this is what "not to do" lol

[@builddirect]

Thanks Charlie! Glad you found this video useful!

[@bigazmark]

I am doing a hallway 20 ft long. Most of the 3\4 flooring I have is 12-18 in. long. Literally two long boards per box. Would this look right? I am thinking way too many seams.

[@1175ghost]

this man know what is about. Thanks

[@descente20]

If the flooring is nailed down, why would you expect the boards to expand by 3/8"? I never quite understood this. If I blind nail the boards to a hardwood floor, then how exactly will the floor ever expand enough to require a a 3/8" clearance? And, are you expecting the board to expand in the direction of grain, or across the grain? This has confused me for a long time -

[@darthvader1597]

wow I learned a lot from this thanks

[@builddirect]

Hi Darth Vader, thanks for the great feedback! May the force be with you on your next project!

[@tdietz20]

Great video. I'm trying to put down a new floor in my living room and when I removed the carpet and pad there is this 1/4" hard pressed board that apparently an old linoleum floor was glued to, and then under that the very old original wood floor. Everything appears flat and level as it is. My question is whether it's a good ideal to remove that linoleum backing or whether it's safe to just lay down the paper and nail down the new floor straight through it to the floor underneath. That 1/4" backing seems to be very old and perhaps has flexed and compressed as much as it ever will, but not sure if it will eventually do damage to my new floor.

[@builddirect]

Thanks for the comment! Regarding your question, here's an answer from one of BuildDirect's product experts: "I would highly recommend pulling up all the old flooring and getting right down to the original subfloor. If you don’t remove all the old flooring this can, and likely will, cause problems with the flooring down the road. Furthermore, this will most likely void any warranty on the product too." Hope this helps, and let us know if you have any other questions!

[@alexishernandez3338]

I hardly ever comment, but great vid. TY

[@builddirect]

Thanks Alexis! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@Marylmac]

Well, if you want a better what not to do...you should see mine here in Hungary! Too funny, but a good experience. I used fence pailings, as no one here in the area seemed to have proper flooring, so I just bought fence wood. Long story short...it was snowing when I started laying the floor...best room first...sigh...then when the warmer weather came, it all shrunk. Anyays, now I know how to find the real flooring, I can pull up my first efforts and use the old stuff for tool sheds or whatever! Winning...

[@darcon17]

very very helpful

[@builddirect]

Darrell F Thanks Darrell! Glad you enjoyed the video. If you're looking for more info, don't hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail].

[@winonabannon7953]

Thank you for your video. We purchased hardwood from an auction. Some of the boards are cut pieces so they do not have the flanges on the ends. Can these pieces be used?

[@dirkdiggler5525]

Winona Bannon probably way too late but yes against the wall.. remember to like a gap and not tight to wall or framing

[@michaelphelps9829]

Good job. A couple notes; It's easy to over plan while working with Random lengths. Place them as they come out of the box, giving attention only to joints and efficient first and last pieces. Also, a joint is often best when going around a protrusion. Especially if the floor encompasses it.

[@ryans413]

I hate random lengths yes it can be quicker to install but I’d rather cut lengths I need then mess around with random lengths in the box

[@wmadkat24]

BEST Video BY FAR!!!!!

[@MrDiego718]

thank you for sharing this benefits advances!!!

[@builddirect]

Hi Diego! We're very glad to hear that this video was useful to you. Thanks for the great response!

[@builddirect]

Thank you for watching :)

[@VinceEspositoJr]

Hi. I need to replace a few board in a prefinished hardwood floor. I purchased the flooring some time ago from Build Direct and I have been very happy with it. . Its natural maple color with a satin finish which I assume is aluminum oxide. I will have to cut the replacement boards to fit and put on the bevel on the edge to mimic the original However, since this in in a kitchen, I feel that I need to seal the beveled edge. Do you agree? If so, what finished should I use and how should I apply it? Thanks.

[@builddirect]

Hi Vincent, thank you for comment! Please feel free to contact our Customer Consultant Team if you have any product related questions at 1-844-717-5811.

[@LeahRosenau82]

Very helpful, thanks! There should be more "how NOT to" videos out there.

[@Order-in-Chaos]

Look at the hack job on the drywall... Is that the How Not to install headquarters?

[@Sharonnecs]

Very funny..."how not to install headquarters"!

[@shadovanish]

Very good and informative video. How do you lay out a floor line if there is not a continuous wall length from end of the floor to the other? My house has a transition step up from the room I want to install the floor to the kitchen. The step is about 6 feet long (and forms the bottom of an opening on the wall to enter/exit the kitchen), and extends about 5 inches into the room where I want to install the floor, thus interrupting the wall. If the step was flush with the wall, establishing the floor line would be more straightforward, but it's not, so I'm not sure how to establish a floor line to begin the floor installation.

[@dannyshotit7688]

Another simple way of establishing a straight line is using the sub floor as a guide. When framers lay down sub floors, they make sure that the plywood seams are square. so instead of snapping a line, you can get a tape measure and lay down your first line and make sure it stays parallel with the nearest plywood seam

[@deeharris8413]

great advice. simply explained.

[@builddirect]

+Dee Harris Thanks Dee! Glad you enjoyed!

[@magalenarosales353]

salon logos salon spa names

[@magalenarosales353]

SALON LOGOS

[@oldtimeharmonica8560]

Very helpful

[@builddirect]

Thank you, Greg! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you for watching!