How to put down hardwood floor in a tight area?

Question

My fiance and I are renovating our basement and we are installing a hardwood floor. We are coming along very nicely, however we've gotten to a part where the majority of the floor is done, but we're getting into some tight spots up against the wall where the rest of the floor is done and the wall is there so we have to put maybe 1 or 2 more rows in. What is a good way to get the wood nice and tightly in the small space without gaps or damaging the wood?

Answer 1

When you start from one side and run to the other side of a room, you typically have to face nail the furthest edge (closest to the tongue) at 6" o.c. Pre-drill the holes for the finish nails (make sure they are the thickness of the board +/- 3/4"), hammer in place, and use a tapping pin.  Most flooring manufacturers make a putty that can be bought with the flooring; you can cover up the nail holes with the putty,

As you come up close to a wall, you will have to use either a piece of discarded flooring or a crowbar to pry the floor planks/pieces together.  When setting the last board, permit about 1/2" to 1/4" between the floor and the wall for movement.  When complete, run a piece of quarter-round wood molding to finish off the floor.

Answer 2

I hate to be a downer, but you are never supposed to install real wood flooring in a basement. The moisture will warp and ruin the flooring. You can install laminate wood flooring, sometimes called Pergo, in basements though.

With laminate/Pergo, you can buy a tool that kind of looks like a pry bar and you can use to hammer/tap the pieces in to place.

Answer 3

Well it sounds like you may have done this job incorrectly?The floor should be laid from the center to the outside.The only way you can get the edges done is to cut the wood to fit the sides.Failing that you could buy some wood molding to put round edges.

Answer 4

take and cut the pieces you need then fit them up, drill a hole in the wood and nail it by hand..use a catspaw or a flatbar and pry the wood tight against the other then nail it...not that big of deal...good luck