How do you install hardwood floors without tongue and groove?

How to Lay Hardwood Flooring Without a Tongue and Groove

1. Acclimatize the wood by spreading it out in the room and leaving it for at least two weeks.
2. Remove the wood from the space.
3. Locate the joists below the substrate, using a stud finder.
4. Cut one length of hardwood to size, using a table saw.

Can you join plywood with dowels?

Wooden dowels can be used in a variety of ways. They can be used with mitered joints and end to end joints, but I see them most commonly used in edge to face joints. And this doesn’t relate only to plywood, either! You can even use these dowel to connect plywood (or other wood types) to concrete as well.

What can dowel joints be used for?

Dowel joints are most commonly used in carpentry and woodworking applications to join two or more pieces of wood. Typical applications where dowel joints are used include (but are not limited to) furniture making, constructing shelves, to reinforce butt joints and toy making.

Is tongue and groove necessary?

Tongue and groove gives added support at the seems and makes for a more solid floor. If it was not tongue and groove, you could possibly step hard enough around a seam in the plywood and see the seams separate a bit. Plus, tongue and groove will help force a more level floor. Leaks have no bearing on why they are used.

What is the difference between shiplap and tongue and groove wood?

Shiplap panels overlap, while tongue and groove panels interlock. Wood often shrinks in dry climates, and shrinkage is less likely to show with shiplap because it overlaps instead of interlocks. Tongue and groove panels may be a better option for very cold climates because they insulate slightly better than shiplap.

How long should wood dowels be?

Choose a dowel that is a 1/3 to 1/2 as thick as the thickness of the wood. For example, if you’re working with a board that is 3/4″ thick your dowel size should be about 5/16.” The length the dowel should be twice as long as the thickness of the wood.

What size dowels should I use?

Generally, the diameter of the dowel should be no greater than half the thickness of the stock. For example, if the side panel is 1” thick, then you want to use a maximum 1/2” dowel.

What are the disadvantages of using a dowel joint?

The main disadvantage is that they are weak. When it comes to tenon and mortise joints, the face grain cheeks of the tenon are completely in contact with the face grain side of the mortise. The glue also holds best in this situation.

When should you not use dowels?

In edge joints, avoid using dowels longer than about 1 1/2 inches. Otherwise, the dowels may actually force the joint open if the wood dries and shrinks. Always make the dowel holes slightly deeper than necessary and either buy or make grooved dowel pins so excess glue can escape.

How do you blend old and new hardwood floors?

To make the transition smooth between the contrasting flooring, you can use hardwood borders between the old and new flooring to make it clear that the contrast is intentional and to highlight the differing character of both floors.

Can you have two different wood floors?

Can you mix two different hardwood floors side by side? Yes, you can mix two different wood floors side by side. But this doesn’t always give the desired results, as even with the same color of wood flooring installed side-by-side, close mismatches in the tone of the wood graining will still be visible.

How to cut tongue and groove joints for floor panels?

In an ideal world without these restrictions, the best method in cutting tongue and groove joints for floor panels is through the shaper. Not only will the shaper be able to handle the quantity of boards, setting it up is simple. Both the tongue and groove is passed through just once and gives it a beautiful and strong factory-like fit.

Should I router my tongue and groove flooring?

With the right flooring router bits and a few test passes with minor adjustments, one can create numerous identical tongue and groove joints. Of course the disadvantage to the router option is power.

How do you glue dowels to wood Stiles?

A 1/16″ countersink keeps the hole edges from swelling and pushing the joint apart. Then glue and insert dowels into either the stiles or rails. Glue the exposed dowels and joint surfaces, tap the parts together, and clamp the joints for one hour.

Can you use a table saw to cut tongue and groove?

The advantage to a table saw is that your cut will be completely clean and sharp, giving your joint a nice fit. The major disadvantage in using a table saw is that your boards need to be cut using multiple passes. Additionally, both the tongue and groove need to be cut at different times. Another option is to use your router table.