Step 1: Watch an Overview Video

Step 2: Begin to Lay Flooring

Before installation, acclimate your flooring to room temperature for at least 48 hours. Lay down 15-pound felt paper and place your first row of flooring parallel to the longest wall.

Step 3: Leave Space Between Floor and the Wall

To allow for expansion, leave a quarter-inch gap between the flooring and the wall. Then, nail the flooring in place by hand. At the end of the row, cut the last strip to fit and use the remainder to start the next row. Stagger your boards by at least six inches to avoid clustering the end joints.

Step 4: Install Shoe Molding

Tap the tongue of each board tightly into the groove of the next row. Secure the boards with a floor-nailer and repeat the process for the rest of the room. On the last row, remember to leave room for expansion and to nail it by hand. Then install shoe molding.