Better Than Half Way?

I think that's how best to describe our current progress on laying down the hardwood strip flooring: we're better than half way. I had hoped to get all of the boards that required the rental hammer done this weekend. But we didn't. This despite Jenn and I both working consecutive 10+ hour days, breaking only for lunch and dinner.

Let me say, laying strip flooring is hard work. Not only is it physically demanding, but it is time consuming. Each row is only 2 1/4" wide. That means a 12' room requires 64 rows of strip. I think, realistically, we couldn't lay down more than about 200-300 sf a day. Plus, obstacles such as stairs, doorways, walls, and beams add even more time.

The best way to work is in pairs. Jenn and I took turns 'racking' and nailing. Racking is where you lay out the boards before nailing them. You want to make sure the end-boards seams don't end up too close together or make a recognizable pattern such as a 'stair-step' or 'H'. However, I found that while Jenn was racking for me while I nailed, constantly staying in the crouching position was hell on my back. As a result, I think Jenn did more nailing that I did.

We're going to get the rental nailer again this coming weekend and try very hard to finish laying that floor down. I think we can make it. I think.


Here's Jenn doing all the work...


Here's Me. Notice the ear protection. That hammer is fricken LOUD!