QA

Question: How To Tongue And Groove Boards

What tool do I need to make tongue and groove?

Tongue-and-groove joints are commonly made on a table saw. But with the right bits, the joints can be made just as easily on a router table.

How do you start tongue and groove?

Start with your first piece: groove facing the wall, tongue facing out. Use the framing gun to add a nail to the tongue of the plank and secure in place. For the next piece, you will connect the groove of the new piece into the tongue of the first piece.

How deep should a tongue and groove joint be?

The groove should ALWAYS be slightly deeper than the tongue is long, by as much as 1/16″ for 3-inch wide boards. The reason for this is two-fold. First is to prevent problems during assembly.

Do you nail into the tongue or groove?

For tongue-and-groove flooring, drive a nail at a 45-degree angle through the tongue, then conceal it by engaging the groove of the next board. Be sure to countersink the nail — drive it slightly below the surface of the wood — to prevent interference in the joint.

Does the tongue or groove go against the wall?

Which to Install First. Which side is the tongue, which the groove, and which goes first during installation? The tongue is the side that you will want to place against the wall as you start your laminate-flooring installation.

Where do you nail your tongue and groove?

Avoid visible nail holes Install planks with the tongue up. Nail at an angle directly through the tongue and into your studs. You don’t need to nail through the face of the planks anywhere but on the bottom row and near the ceiling. Start with the bottom row first and work your way up.

Can you put tongue and groove over drywall?

Installing tongue-and-groove (aka T&G) boards is a fast, inexpensive way to panel any ceiling or wall. You can install T&G over bare framing, drywall or plaster, so it’s a great cover-up for an ugly ceiling.

Can you use a brad nailer for tongue and groove?

A finish nailer or brad nailer is the easiest and most efficient tool to use when installing your new shiplap or tongue and groove. They can be purchased/rented relatively cheaply from your local hardware store, they’re lightweight, and are simple enough that a 12 year old can use them!Nov 21, 2020.

Should tongue-and-groove be glued?

The recommended glue for floating installation is Tongue and Groove engineered flooring glue. Glue placement is very important. The glue must be placed along the topside of the groove the full length of the grooved side and end.

Are tongue-and-groove joints strong?

A tongue-and-groove is stronger than simple butt joints due to the increased gluing surface and mechanical interlocking of the two mating pieces. As a bonus, the tongue also serves to perfectly align the workpieces during the glue-up for a smooth surface.

What router bits are needed for tongue and groove?

Step 1: Generally speaking, it’s easier to cut the groove of a T&G joint first, then mill the tongue to fit the groove. A 1/4-in. straight bit or spiral upcut bit makes an ideal groove-cutter into the edge of a workpiece.

How do you make wood ridges without a router?

Alternative Ways to Cut Grooves (Rabbeting) Table Saw Method. Typically, grooves cut into wood on a table saw are cut using a dado blade. Dremel Tool Method. Rabbeting Plane. Chisel Method. Rounding and Chamfering with a Plane. Using Molding Planes. Molding with a Scratch Stock. Keyhole Slot.

Can you nail hardwood floor on the groove side?

To nail the groove, you must nail by hand, but you have a very small space in which to work. In addition, you must countersink every nail to avoid interfering with the tongue of the next plank. For most applications, this isn’t feasible or desirable.

How far apart should nails be on hardwood floors?

Install one complete row at a time from end-wall to end-wall. Place at least two nails in every board — the rule of thumb is to nail every 10 to 12 inches. Flooring is typically bundled in random lengths. Vary board lengths as you install so you will have staggered end-joints in a random pattern (image 6).

Do you cut the tongue off the first row of laminate?

Place the first plank with the tongue side towards the wall, being sure to allow 1/8″ for expansion. We recommend cutting off the tongue on this first row to avoid any problem with the expansion gap. If it is too short, cut a new plank in half and use one half to start the second row.

Which direction should I lay my bathroom floor?

As a general rule, make sure to lay your floor in the same direction as the main light source in a room and in the same line as the most frequently used entrance. If there are several doors and windows, then opt for the direction that’s the easiest to install.

Can tongue and groove be used outside?

T&G Wood Siding is a best seller because of its versatility. It can be used indoors or outdoors, rough side or smooth side, installed horizontally, vertically or diagonally, to provide distinctly different looks.

How can I hide my tongue and groove nails?

Drive the nails through the shoulder of the tongues into the framing at about a 45-degree angle. The next grooved edge will hide the nail holes. A 15- or 16-gauge brad nailer with 2-in. nails is the best choice for fastening, although an 18-gauge nailer will do the job, too.

Should I start shiplap from top or bottom?

You can start applying shiplap either at the top or at the bottom of your wall. If you start at the bottom, gravity will work for you. If you start at the top, you’ll have to prevent each board from falling before you nail it in place.

Should I stagger shiplap?

Stagger the shiplap boards so that the end joints are spread out along the wall or ceiling randomly. If you stack seams on top of each other, you’ll create an eyesore that draws your eye to the dark lines of the jointed ends. Building pros agree that staggering seams provides a better looking aesthetic.

How do you join the ends of shiplap?

It’s up to you. After all your shiplap is installed, run a bead of caulk around all seams where the shiplap terminates to a wall, or along inside corners. Fill in all your nail holes and seams between boards with wood filler and a putty knife.