Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - 3/4" changing direction

I'm installing 3/4" nail down, I have to change direction a few times. I'm using wood from a home improvement store, they didn't have a slip tongue. Are there other methods to use to butt a groove side up to another groove side when changing directions?? Can I just face nail and glue the transition board? Help.....

If you can not find splines at a local home center or flooring dealer, you can find slip tongues online at www.ifloor.com along with other hardwood flooring installation materials. I have had installers tell me they made their own using paint sticks. Face nailing and gluing are not recommended.

I have personally installed hardwood floors for 25 years. By simply glueing or nailing the joint will eventually become uneven.

What I personally do is use a 1/4 slot cutting router bit and set it at the same depth as the natural grove height from the top. I run the router over the end of the one piece, and over the side to be joined to. This creates an equal cut in depth from the top surface. Then either purchase a common slip tongue or cut one out of the oak flooring you are using to created a snug fit. It must be ripped to 1/4" and you may have to make a few attempts, or make one larger and sand it so it fits snug.

If you one floor is already installed, you will need to purchase a special flooring router bit that has the guide bearing on top of the cutter, rather than the bottom. The cutter is threaded onto the shaft so it has no bottom to touch the already installed floor. Be prepared though, the specality bit is about $65. Where if you can get the pieces loose to use a standard bit, it will only cost you about $15 for the bit.

This will ensure a perfect top match in height, and will keep the floor from ever shifting.

We are doing engineered 9/16 with mitered edges. Should we use slip tounge for the mitered edges or can they just be butted together? I didn't think the engineered wood would move.

Thanks,
Hacker

You still need a slip tongue. 9/16" sounds like it's a Mannington 5 ply floor. They are an excellant floor.

You should still use the slip tongue for 2 reasons:

One, it will guide the miter to stay perfectly alligned during instllation.

Two, It will assure that the two pieces will never move and stay togeather as a unit ( you need to use glue in each piece also )

Glad you asked,

Details are what make the job look seemless and give that flowing professional look.

My Company is Called: Kelli Anne Taylor Flooring.

You can contact me @ kellit@cox.net

And Yes, I am a woman who has actually been in the trade for 25 years!:)