[adjason]

I've got 400 square feet of 3 inch unfinished oak to install. The flooring came in 50 square foot boxes. When I put sample pieces together (just to test -not to actually nail down yet) each box seems to fit perfectly together with no height differences. When I mix boxes, pieces seem to be slightly different heights. Should I just lay each box one at a time (the colors seem fine if I do this) and would this possibly save me from a lot of sanding? The floor almost looks good enough that if I did this I could get by with a hand sander..............any good reason not to do it this way? thanks

 

[pinwheel45]

On sand on site floors, I never worry about working from multiple boxes. Even though it feels close, if you try what you're suggesting, you'll not be happy with the end results. Get a sander & sand the floor. Start with 36 or 40 grit & work finer. There will be plenty of imperfections that you don't notice at this point. This is a big investment, don't skimp here at the end & be dissatified with the results forever.

 

[Just Bill]

What he said. And let the flooring acclimate in the room where it will be installed, in open boxes, with heat/A/C turned on, for 3-6 wks. If you don't do this, you could end up with a buckling floor or big gaps at each joint.

 

[adjason]

thanks

thanks guys - I will take your advice and try to do it right the first time with the sander and I will move the flooring from the garage into the house tomorrow