This is a commonly asked question amongst the Wood and Beyond client base, which is why we thought it would be useful to put together this short guide to help you decide. Before recommending which option might suit your project, we’ll start by giving a short description of the two methods.
Nail-down installation is a straightforward way of fitting engineered or solid wood flooring but is only advisable if you have a wooden subfloor. When installing your new floor over plywood, the direction you choose to lay the planks doesn’t matter. However, if you are nailing down a new floor over existing floorboards you must run the planks of the new floor at a 90-degree angle to the existing floor. This is done to ensure stability and to avoid the risk of warping or buckling. Here are some key things to remember when choosing nail-down installation:
Glue down as an installation method for engineered and solid wood floors involves using a bonding agent, adhesive or glue that you put directly on to your subfloor before laying your floor. As an installation method, glue down is particularly suited to either concrete or wood subfloors, or any other solid surface where the glue will bond easily. If you choose this method of fitting, you need to make sure that there’s no dampness in your subfloor. If you have any doubt about dampness, we recommend that you install a two-part epoxy damp proof membrane to make sure that none of the residual dampness rises into your new floor, causing future damage. Here are some key things to remember when choosing glue-down installation:
| Nail Down Installation | Glue Down Installation | |
|---|---|---|
| Method Description | A straightforward way of fitting engineered or solid wood flooring. It involves nailing down the flooring boards directly into a wooden subfloor. | It involves using a bonding agent, adhesive or glue that you put directly on to your subfloor before laying your floor. It is particularly suited to either concrete or wood subfloors. |
| Subfloor Type | Recommended for wooden subfloors. | Suitable for either concrete or wood subfloors. |
| Installation Process | Boards are nailed or stapled just above the tongue at a 45-degree angle. | The adhesive is applied in a crisscross pattern, starting at the corner of the room furthest away from the door. |
| Time Considerations | Faster, furnishings can be placed back immediately after installation. | Slower due to the drying time of the glue. |
| DIY Skill Level | Best suited to those with intermediate DIY skills. | Can be more challenging for DIY novices due to the need to apply adhesive correctly. |
The response to this question will be strongly driven by the material of your subfloor and thereafter how quickly you need to get your furnishings back in the room you’re re-flooring.
If you have a concrete sub-floor, then nail-down simply isn’t an option for you and you’ll need to choose glue-down if these are the only two installation options available to you. On the other hand, if you have a wooden sub-floor, then theoretically, either option will be open to you, so you should choose the option that suits your DIY skills best if you are doing the work yourself. If you’ve chosen a professional to fit your floor, they will help you make the right decision.
Finally, if you need your room back to normal quickly, then because of the drying time of glue-down, nail-down will work better for you. This option will allow you to put your furnishings back in place pretty much immediately after completion.
If you’re struggling to choose the right installation method for your wooden floor, why not get in touch? At Wood and Beyond, we’re always happy to help.