Should you glue wide plank pine flooring?

When it comes to installing wide plank pine flooring in your home, one of the biggest decisions is whether to glue the planks down or use a floating installation. Gluing the planks to the subfloor provides a very stable and long-lasting floor, but it also makes the flooring more difficult to remove or replace down the road. Floating the floor using tongue-and-groove connections leaves the planks loose, which some homeowners prefer for ease of repairs and upgrades. There are pros and cons to both installation methods to consider when deciding what’s best for your home.

The benefits of gluing wide plank pine flooring

Here are some of the main advantages of gluing down wide plank pine flooring boards:

• Very stable floor – Gluing to the subfloor means the planks won’t move, gap or creak over time. This creates a sturdy floor that feels very solid underfoot.
• Minimizes moisture issues – With a full spread glue installation, the adhesive forms a moisture barrier between the wood and subfloor. This prevents moisture damage or cupping.
• Can handle high traffic – Fully adhered floors better stand up to heavy foot traffic without boards coming loose or moving.
• No noise – Glued floors are very quiet with no creaking or noise transfer between boards.
• Better for radiant heat – Gluing is recommended for radiant heat systems to ensure good heat transfer and prevent gaps between boards.

If you want the most durable, stable and long-lasting pine floor, gluing the planks down is the best option. It provides a robust installation.

The cons of gluing wide planks

Gluing plank flooring does come with some disadvantages:

• Harder installation – Applying adhesive properly takes skill and can be messy. Nailing or floating goes faster.
• Can’t be refinished easily – With the planks adhered, sanding and refinishing is trickier. The flooring will need to be replaced instead.
• Difficult to replace boards – You can’t just pry up and replace a damaged board. The whole floor may need reinstallation.
• Needs flat subfloor – Any uneven spots will transfer through a glued down floor, so the substrate must be very flat.
• Permanent installation – Removing a glued floor requires breaking the adhesive bond, which can damage planks.

If you think you may want to replace boards or refinish the flooring down the road, a floating floor can make that easier. But gluing has more long-term stability.

Should you use flooring nails or glue for wide pine planks?

Nailing and gluing are the two main methods for adhering wide plank flooring directly to the subfloor. Here’s how they compare:

Installation Method	Pros	Cons
Nailing	Faster installation Boards can be re-nailed Can still sand & refinish	Can loosen over time May squeak as boards move Not good for radiant heat
Gluing	Very stable, no movement Quiet – no squeaking Good for radiant heat Moisture barrier	Messy adhesive Hard to replace boards Can’t easily refinish Needs flat subfloor

As you can see, gluing provides a more robust and stable installation, while nailing is faster and makes it easier to refinish or replace boards later on. Consider how permanent you want the flooring installation to be.

Should wide plank floors float or be glued down?

Floating a wide plank floor using tongue-and-groove connections is another option. Here’s an overview of floating versus gluing wide planks:

Installation Method	Pros	Cons
Floating	Faster installation Easy to replace boards Can still sand & refinish Floors can be accessed easily	Prone to movement/creaking Can warp or gap over time Not good for radiant heat May feel less stable
Gluing	Very stable, no movement Quiet – no squeaking Good for radiant heat Moisture barrier	Harder installation Hard to replace boards Can’t easily refinish Needs flat subfloor

Floating wide plank pine floors is easier for DIY installation. But gluing provides much better stability and resistance to gapping over decades of use. Consider your long-term goals.

What kind of adhesive should be used for wide plank wood floors?

When gluing wide plank flooring, you need the right adhesive to create a strong, long-lasting bond:

• Urethane adhesive – Urethane offers the strongest glue bond and moisture protection. It’s the best choice for stability.
• Modified silicone – Provides strength but remains flexible over time. Good for gluing over uneven subfloors.
• MS polymer modified adhesive – Bonds well and stays flexible. Low odor and safe for radiant heat.

Always use an adhesive specifically designed for hardwood flooring installation. Avoid multipurpose construction adhesives, which lack flexibility. Talk to your flooring supplier about the best glue for your particular wide plank pine boards.

How should you prepare the subfloor for gluing wide planks?

Proper subfloor prep is crucial when gluing down planks:

• The surface must be clean – Vacuum and damp mop to remove debris that can interfere with adhesion.
• It should be flat – Grind or fill low spots and gaps exceeding 3/16 inches.
• Consider applying a primer if needed – This improves adhesion on very porous or uneven substrates.
• Let any moisture blocking primers dry fully before gluing.
• Test the subfloor’s moisture content – Excessive moisture can cause floor failure.

Preparing the subfloor takes time upfront, but it’s essential for proper glue bond and plank stability. Don’t skip this step.

What is the gluing process for wide plank floors?

When ready to start gluing, follow these key steps:

1. Do a dry layout of planks and determine board spacing.
2. Sweep and/or vacuum the subfloor again before gluing.
3. Spread adhesive evenly using the proper trowel. Allow to flash if needed.
4. Lay planks in adhesive according to layout. Roll planks to ensure good glue transfer.
5. Immediately wipe any seepage with adhesive remover.
6. Add weights/straps to hold planks flat until adhesive cures.
7. Allow proper adhesive cure time before using floor.

Always carefully follow the flooring and adhesive manufacturer’s installation guidelines. Proper glue application and plank installation techniques are key for best results.

How long does wood flooring adhesive take to dry or cure?

Drying and curing times for wood flooring adhesives vary by product:

Adhesive Type	Approximate Drying Time
Urethane	24-48 hours
Silicone	24-72 hours
MS Polymer	6-24 hours

It’s crucial to wait until the adhesive has fully cured before walking on the flooring or removing straps/weights. Doing so prematurely can disrupt the bond while glue is still wet. Always follow manufacturer guidelines for cure times.

Should you put adhesive on the planks or subfloor when gluing?

Wood flooring adhesive should always be spread directly onto the subfloor rather than onto the back of the planks. Trying to glue prefinished plank flooring boards first can make installation messy and complicate alignment. The proper gluing steps are:

1. Prep and clean the subfloor.
2. Spread adhesive evenly across subfloor using proper trowel.
3. Lay planks into the adhesive according to layout.
4. Roll planks to ensure good transfer into glue.

Applying adhesive directly to the subfloor allows for smooth, even glue distribution and prevents getting glue onto the visible plank surfaces. This approach also lets you position and align planks more easily.

Is gluing better than nailing for pine flooring?

Here’s a quick comparison of gluing versus nailing pine floor boards:

	Gluing	Nailing
Stability	Excellent	Good
Noise Level	None	Can squeak
Moisture Protection	Yes	Minimal
Ease of Refinishing	Hard	Possible
Installation Difficulty	Moderate	Easy

Gluing wide pine floor boards generally provides better stability, moisture protection and noise reduction compared to nailing. But nailing is easier for DIY installation and refinishing. Consider your needs and goals.

Conclusion

Gluing wide plank pine flooring provides maximum stability, durability and noise reduction for a floor built to last decades. But it requires careful subfloor prep and proper adhesive application. Nailing or floating the planks are easier DIY options, but may lead to more gapping, creaking and issues over time. Consider how long you plan to keep the flooring, whether you have radiant heat, and your ability to properly glue the planks when deciding whether to glue wide pine floors or use another installation method.