laying standard floorboards

[mattym]

I am ripping up the chipboard floors in my bedrooms to replace them with standard 6" X 1" deal floorboards. I was hoping to secret nail them so it can be sanded and varnished afterwards. Is there any way to stop the floorboards creaking in the future, while i'm putting it down? Would i be better putting it down with the normal flooring brads?

 

[Lex Foutish]

If I was in your situation, Mattym, I'd try the secret nailing way first and, if the floor creaks, just go ahead then with the brads. You have nothing to lose by doing it that way. Just make marks on the wall, with a pencil, level with the joists so that you'll know where they are.

I used them on my attic floor and I don't even notice them now.

I also used a water based varnish which was low odour and much harder wearing than most other varnishes. If you're interested in the name of it (there's some outside in my shed), post a reply here and I'll give you the name of it.

 

[S.L.F]

Floor boards creak for different reasons.

Sometimes its from 2 boards rubbing off each other, sometimes its a loose nail.

If I was putting a floor down now I'd put down 1/2" plywood with plenty of 2" screws.

Keep track of where the joists are.

Secret nail certainly if by chance the floor starts to creak use a 2" ring nail to hold it down then punch it (with a nail punch) and fill with a dark brown filler (looks like a knot).

I think the varnish Lex is thinking of is Dulux Diamond coat.

Personally I don't like the bright look of it I perfer to use 3 coats Danish oil first then use the diamond coat varnish.

 

[Lex Foutish]

Might be that varnish but not sure. Will check and post tomorrow. The one I used had a matt finish.