If you're a seasoned home DIY-er, chances are you already know your way around a fair number of tools: your tape measure, square, utility knife, etc. When it comes to a flooring installations, though, there may be some specialty equipment you aren't so familiar that will save you time, stress, and the indignity of costly do-overs.
For example's sake, say you were installing some premium flooring product from Lumber Liquidators. Your list of tools would include a few things you already have on hand, like your safety gear, measurement equipment, and cutting implements. That list also includes some things that, unless you've recently done a few other installs, you probably wouldn't have laying around, such as:
- Pry Bar
Let's explore what these specialty tools do, and how you'd use them in a typical flooring installation.
Hand cutting your flooring is possible, but it's also time consuming, increases the likelihood of error, and results in more cuts and splinters than you probably care to deal with. The flooring cutter alleviates those concerns by helping you cut through various types of flooring material, including hardwood, laminate, and vinyl, with a sharp blade that's capable of precise slicing without a huge risk of damaging your flooring (or fingers).
How To Use Your Flooring Cutter
To make your cuts properly…
- Align the blade of your flooring cutter with your cut line and ensure your flooring material is properly secured.
- Position your cutter so that your blade is at the correct depth for the thickness of the material you are cutting.
- Make a steady cut along the cut line.
To keep cuts consistent…
- Follow manufacturer guidelines for blade depth settings based on flooring thickness.
- Use appropriate blade types for the flooring material you are cutting.
- Ensure your blade is sharp and properly aligned.
For custom cuts and decorative edges…
- Special attachments will allow for angled cuts and beveled or rounded edges.
- Remember to measure and mark your cut lines precisely.
- Test your cuts on scrap materials first to ensure that they are accurate.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don't use incorrect blade types.
- Avoid forcing your cuts, as you may cause damage to the blade.
- Never cut without securing your flooring material.
- Avoid cutting on uneven/unstable surfaces.
The flooring nailer is designed specifically for installing nail-down hardwood flooring. This pneumatic or manual tool drives nails through the tongue of hardwood planks at precisely the right angle and depth, ensuring secure installation while protecting the flooring surface from damage.
Hand-nailing hardwood flooring is possible, but it’s slow, inconsistent, and much more likely to result in surface damage from errant hammer strikes. A flooring nailer, conversely, delivers professional results with the speed and consistency that hand methods simply cannot match.
How To Use Your Flooring Nailer
To nail the first row properly…
- Face-nail the first row since the nailer can’t reach the wall edge.
- Pre-drill holes to prevent splitting.
- Countersink nails and fill holes with matching wood filler.
To use the nailer on subsequent rows…
- Position the nailer’s base plate flush against the plank’s tongue.
- Strike the actuator with firm, consistent hammer blows.
- Check periodically that nails are being driven to proper depth.
To maintain proper spacing…
- Follow manufacturer recommendations for nail spacing (typically 6-10 inches).
- Place additional nails at the ends of planks and at joints.
- Use the proper nail size specified for your flooring thickness.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t use incorrect nail sizes (they’re specified for good reasons).
- Avoid inconsistent striking force, which leads to uneven nail depths.
- Never continue using a jammed nailer (clear jams before proceeding).
- Practice on scrap pieces first if you've never used a nailer before.
This flat metal bar helps position planks tightly together, particularly in those cramped spaces where a hammer and tapping block simply won’t fit. You’ll appreciate the pull bar most when working on the last few rows near walls, in closets, or around obstacles where space is limited as it provides the mechanical advantage needed to close joints properly, even when quarters are tight..
How To Use Your Pull Bar
To close gaps in tight spaces…
- Hook the bar onto the plank edge that needs to move.
- Position the fulcrum point to maximize leverage.
- Apply steady, controlled pressure to close the joint.
To remove stubborn fasteners…
- Use the bar’s nail-pulling features to remove nails cleanly.
- Protect surrounding surfaces with scrap wood or cardboard.
- Work the nail out gradually rather than yanking suddenly.
To adjust plank positions…
- Hook onto the edge of the plank that needs adjustment.
- Apply gentle pressure to shift the plank into proper position.
- Check that adjacent planks remain properly aligned.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t use excessive force that could damage plank edges.
- Avoid working without protection for finished surfaces.
- Never force joints closed if there’s significant resistance (because you should check for obstructions first).
- Don’t use the bar at awkward angles that reduce control.
Pry Bar
Renovation projects often require removing existing materials or making adjustments during installation, and the pry bar provides the mechanical advantage needed to accomplish these tasks efficiently. Whether you’re removing old flooring, lifting subflooring for repairs, or adjusting stubborn planks, this tool provides the right amount of force where you need it while minimizing damage to surrounding areas.
How To Use Your Pry Bar
To remove old flooring safely…
- Work systematically to avoid binding or damage.
- Use blocking to protect surfaces from bar damage.
- Apply steady pressure rather than sudden force.
To make installation adjustments…
- Use the bar to shift planks into proper position.
- Work gradually to maintain control.
- Check that adjustments don’t affect adjacent planks.
To handle demolition tasks…
- Plan your removal sequence to prevent binding.
- Protect surrounding areas from damage.
- Clear debris regularly to maintain safe working conditions.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t use excessive force that could cause the bar to slip or cause unexpected damage.
- Avoid working without proper blocking to protect finished surfaces.
- Never ignore hidden fasteners that could cause binding or sudden releases.
- Don’t rush demolition work (slow, steady removal prevents unnecessary damage to materials you want to keep).
Made from wood, plastic, or composite materials softer than your flooring, these blocks allow you to tap planks into position without leaving dents, chips, or other damage. Direct hammer blows can cause serious damage to flooring surfaces, but the tapping block spreads that impact over a larger area while still providing the force needed to seat joints properly.
How To Use Your Tapping Block
To seat planks without damage…
- Place the block firmly against the plank edge.
- Strike the block with controlled hammer blows.
- Move the block frequently to distribute impacts along the plank length.
To close joints in floating floors…
- Position the block to push planks together horizontally.
- Use gentle taps rather than heavy blows.
- Work systematically along the entire joint length.
To adjust plank alignment…
- Use angled taps to shift planks into proper position.
- Check alignment frequently as you work.
- Make final adjustments before moving to the next row.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t use blocks harder than your flooring material.
- Avoid striking the same spot repeatedly.
- Never use damaged or dirty blocks that could scratch surfaces.
- Don’t use excessive force (gentle, repeated taps work better than heavy blows).
Unlike metal hammers that can dent, chip, or crack surfaces, the rubber head of your average mallet provides necessary force while protecting your precious flooring materials. This tool becomes particularly valuable when working with click-lock flooring systems that need gentle persuasion to engage properly, and the rubber mallet provides that encouragement without the violence of metal-on-material contact.
How To Use Your Rubber Mallet
To engage click-lock systems…
- Position planks close to their final position.
- Use gentle taps along the joint to engage the locking mechanism.
- Work systematically from one end of the plank to the other.
To adjust plank positions…
- Tap gently to shift planks into alignment.
- Use controlled strikes rather than hard blows.
- Check that adjacent planks remain properly positioned.
To seat joints in floating floors…
- Tap along the length of joints to ensure full engagement.
- Use progressively lighter taps as joints close.
- Verify that joints are completely closed before proceeding.
Avoid Common Mistakes
- Don’t use excessive force (rubber mallets work better with controlled impacts).
- Avoid using mallets with damaged or dirty heads that could mark surfaces.
- Never continue tapping if planks aren’t responding (as you should check for obstructions).
Putting It All Together
Remember, it's not a floor until it's installed, and at Lumber Liquidators, we understand that successful installations depend on more than just beautiful materials. That’s why we carry quality installation tools alongside our extensive flooring selection, and our flooring experts can help you choose the right tools for your specific project and provide guidance on proper techniques.
Ready to start your flooring project with confidence? Keep browsing our selection here online, or visit your local Lumber Liquidators store to explore our complete range of flooring options and professional-grade tools. Whether you’re tackling your first DIY flooring project or you’re a seasoned renovator looking to upgrade your toolkit, we’re here to support your success.
