DIY Network

Wide Plank Flooring: Laying Down the Planks From "Weekend Handyman" episode WKH-207

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In this episode of Weekend Handyman, host Paul Ryan shows how to install wide-plank flooring. In 16 hours over two days, you can go from old flooring (above) to ... a new do-it-yourself, dazzling wide-plank floor! Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Figure E Figure F Figure G Figure H At the end of day one the planking is in, and you've got a floor with a lot of character! In the next segment, Ryan will sand and seal the floor.

Time: 16 hours over two days, plus drying time for the polyurethane.

Difficulty Rating: This project rates a 4 on the Weekend Handyman scale.

Materials:

Plank boards (5"-, 8"- and 10"-wide planks)
Wedges
Blocks
Concrete nails
Construction adhesive
60, 80, 100 grit sandpaper
Sanding screen
Sealer
Polyurethane
Lamb's wool applicator
Tack cloth
Water putty
Paint tints

Tools:

Table saw
Circular saw
Jig saw
Miter saw
Compressor with nail guns
Box sander
Edge sander
Hand planer
Palm sander
Jackhammer

Day One Continued: Putting in a Sub-floor

1. If there is a center island, remove it.

2. If the cabinets are sitting on plywood, you will have to lay an additional sub-floor to meet it.

   Note: There are a couple of rules when you lay out sub-flooring: 1) Make sure you overlap the joints (figure A), and 2) Make sure the edges align with the joints as well.

   Laying Down the Planks

   Before you start laying down the planks, make sure the room is square. Measure off the exterior wall (figure B). Snap a line the length of the kitchen and use that line as a reference point.

3. Snap chalk lines to mark where you will nail the boards down.

4. Use a miter saw to cut the boards. The goal when you install the boards is to have a staggered look. You don't want all long or all short boards. Once the each board is cut, be sure to round them off with a palm sander.

5. Apply construction adhesive to the back of the plywood.

6. Line the plywood up in front of the door and then nail it down with a power nailing gun raising the sub-floor to the levels of the cabinets.

   Note: Typically, you want to run the boards perpendicular to the floor joists so you can nail the planks into the joists. But, since it will actually be construction adhesive holding your boards down, not the nails, it is okay to line up the boards with the joists.

7. Lay down the planks.

8. Start with the threshold. Since you are using construction adhesive to hold the boards down, line up the boards with the joists. Mark every 16" to determine where to put the boards to keep the layout square.

9. Glue the boards down (figure C).

Inserting Wedges

1. Put a wedge between the planks and a temporary block.

2. Nail the block in place (figure D).

3. Measure out to the chalk lines to make sure the boards line up straight.

4. Tap in the wedges until the planks are even.

5. Measure a finger's width (figure E) from the edge of the board and face nail it in place.

6. Counter sink the nails so they do not become shiny when the floor is sanded.

   Expert Tip: Use square-head smit nails (figure F), which give a traditional cut-nail look. There are many reproductions available, as seen in figure F, depending on the look you're going for.

7. When the nailing is done, tap out the wedges and pry up the blocks.

8. Continue cutting boards and laying down planks.

9. Fit the flush mount vents by marking off the vent plate (figure G). Cut out the opening with a circular saw and fit the vent in place. Do the same thing to notch out the vent if you have an island.

Installing Final Planks

1. Cut the boards to size making sure you do not have a sliver at the end, and then lay them in place.

2. Put spacers (figure H ) by the wall allowing 1/4" for expansion and contraction. The trim should cover the gap.

3. Pre-drill at the end joints so you do not split the boards.

4. Nail the final boards in place.

RESOURCES :

Country Farm Table (Manomin Resawn Timbers)
Model Number: Manomin
Color: Natural Finish/painted legs
Product Information:

• This distinct old growth lumber is carefully reclaimed from structures across the country, where it was used to frame factories, warehouses and bridges in the late 1800s and 1900s.
  
• Often, reminders of the wood's previous life, such as nail or bolt holes, remain after the salvaged wood is resawn. These symbols of antiquity give charm and character, without compromising the woods strength.
  
• Boards can be custom cut for paneling, flooring and custom woodworking projects.

Wide Plank Flooring (Manomin Resawn Timbers)
Model: Random width Douglas fir
Color: Natural Finish
Manomin Resawn Timbers
Owner, Doug Laurent
15152 Freeland Avenue
Hugo, MN 55038
Phone: 651-464-1771
Fax: 651-464-3907
Website: www.mrtimbers.com

Square Head Nails (Manomin Resawn Timbers)
Model: 6D
Color: Natural Grey
Manomin Resawn Timbers
Owner, Doug Laurent
15152 Freeland Avenue
Hugo, MN 55038
Phone: 651-464-1771
Fax: 651-464-3907
Website: www.mrtimbers.com

Vents (Manomin Resawn Timbers)
Model: Flush MountManomin Resawn Timbers
Owner, Doug Laurent
15152 Freeland Avenue
Hugo, MN 55038
Phone: 651-464-1771
Fax: 651-464-3907
Website: www.mrtimbers.com

The Complete Guide to Flooring (Black and Decker)
ISBN: 1589230922
Author: Editor of Creative Publishing international
Order this title from Amazon.
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com

Flooring 1-2-3
ISBN: 0696215888
Author: John Holmes, Editor
Order this title from Amazon.

Installing and Finishing Flooring
ISBN: 0806992956
Author: William Spence
Order this title from Amazon.
Sterling Publishing Co. Inc.
Website: www.sterlingpub.com

GUESTS :

Chris Minick
Chemist
3M
3M Center
Building 251-1E-19
St. Paul, MN 55144
Phone: 651-733-7102