Flooring Installation
Janka Hardness Test
The Janka hardness test measures the resistance of a sample of wood to denting and wear. It measures the force required to embed an 11.28mm (.444″) steel ball into wood to half the ball’s diameter. This method leaves an indentation. A common use of Janka hardness ratings is to determine whether a species is suitable for use as flooring.
Picking The Right Nailer For The Job
Freeman Tools offers seven different flooring nailers that all specialize in different jobs. It is important to make sure that you pick the correct nailer for your specific type of flooring job. There are two major types of floor that are used in today’s standard market: Engineered Hardwood and Solid Hardwood.
Engineered Hardwood Nailers
Engineered hardwood floors are made of a top and sometimes bottom layer of actual hardwood and a center piece normally consisting of plywood or a durable plank. Freeman currently offers three flooring nailers that specialize in engineered hardwoods. These nailers include:
Solid Hardwood Nailers
Flooring nailers that can be used for flooring with densities ranging from 0-1700 on the Janka scale:
Flooring nailers that can be used for flooring with densities ranging from 0-3400 on the Janka scale (specializing in exotic flooring and stranded bamboo):
Flooring nailers that can be used for all densities on the Janka scale (specializing in extremely dense and exotic hardwood):
Refer to the flooring chart below for nailers and their specialized types of flooring on the Janka scale.
Flooring Installation Information
Before starting flooring installation, make sure the size of the foot that is connected to the nailer matches the size of the flooring being installed. Then ensure that you have the correct length staple or cleat for the flooring and sub-flooring being nailed into. While nailing, be certain the groove is inserted into the tongue of the previous board and the staple/cleat is being fired into the tongue of the board. The power of the mallet hitting the nailer should ensure that the board being fastened is pressed firmly up against the previous board. When installing, flooring nails should be spaced every 8-10″ for boards 2″ – 2-3/4″ wide, every 6-8″ for boards 3″ – 3-3/4″ wide, and every 6″ for boards 4″ – 7″ wide.
