A modern tongue-and-groove board is a product made from wood that goes through the drying stage in an autoclave. It is equipped with a thorn-groove system that allows you to securely fasten two elements together, carry out quick installation, and increase the strength of the structure. Fasteners can be located on the sides of the boards or on all four. The back side of the material has bevels that allow air to circulate, preventing the wood from rotting from the inside. The article will focus on the choice and method of laying a tongue-and-groove board.

By joining tongue-and-groove boards, a flat surface is obtained, which has a representative appearance, with excellent performance characteristics. The elements are so tightly fastened together that there is not even the slightest gap. Even during the production process, the material acquires excellent sound and heat insulation properties. The floor is attractive, reliable, resistant to wear. It is for these characteristics that the grooved board has become widespread. It is used to create both a rough and a finishing coating.

Floor grooved boards are reliable, durable, aesthetic. They will become even more attractive if covered with by special means. Environmental friendliness is the main advantage of natural materials. It is impossible to remain indifferent to the spectacle of a wooden floor, the quality of which is amazing. After all, ordinary boards dry out quickly enough after laying, forming cracks.

The process of making a grooved board

Boards are sheet piled on special high-precision equipment. The machine itself is represented by a mechanism that feeds the board and a special cutter that cuts the material on the sides. The whole process is mechanized, and the engineer only controls its work. At home, it is impossible to achieve such a high level of rabbeting.

But home craftsmen can try to create grooved boards on their own. To do this, you need a hand mill or jointer.

Stages of work

• The material is carefully selected. It is easier to work with coniferous trees, but they performance characteristics below, so it is recommended to give preference to larch. The scope of its use is incredibly wide. Larch is used both to create indoor floors and to cover outdoor terraces.
• The material must be well dried. If there is a need to dry the boards, then they are laid in a room that is well ventilated. Humidity should be low. Between the canvases leave gaps for ventilation. It is impossible to dry wood in the sun, because it will heat up on one side, and remain wet on the other. In the future, this will lead to the occurrence of various defects.
• The board is laid on the work surface and fixed with clamps.

• On the side surfaces, the axes along which the work will be carried out are determined. They are marked with a pencil.
• Then, using a milling machine, a quarter groove is selected on the side strictly in the middle.
• On the other side, a spike is drawn up, taking quarters on both sides of the axis.

Such manual sheeting is inferior in quality to industrial and cannot be used for hardwoods.

Groove board photo

A variety of types of tongue-and-groove boards

Depending on the wood used to create the board, the following types of floorboards are distinguished, each of which has its own characteristics:

• Pine or spruce. Soft wood, not moisture resistant enough. It has a low cost, but requires mandatory varnishing. They are used when creating a rough coating.
• Larch. Boards made of this material have a solid structure, excellent moisture resistance. They are not afraid of insect attacks. They have a pleasant structure, rich color. Varnishing is optional, but coated boards will last much longer. The cost of grooved larch floorboards is several times higher than that of pine. Used to create a clean finish.

• Ash, oak. The floorboard is solid. It is characterized by an average moisture resistance, susceptibility to insect attacks. The cost of the material is quite high.

How to choose a grooved board

• At the time of purchase of grooved boards, it is worth checking them for an acceptable level of humidity. It should not exceed 12-16%. It is measured using a special device. If it is not there, then you can check the boards yourself:
  • material is tapped. The sound should turn out sonorous;
  • to the touch. Moisture should not be felt on the skin;
  • by hue. The wood acquires a brilliant hue.
• In addition to moisture, it is useful to check the geometry of the material. From the end of the board, they look along the canvas and evaluate the plane. If it is not smooth enough or there are any doubts, then it is better not to purchase this sample.
• Boards of the "Extra" grade are used to create a finishing coating. They do not contain knots, the surface is smooth, polished. Boards of the lowest grade are used for laying the rough surface. Such material allows the presence of knots in in large numbers and through openings in the place where the knots were located.
• The draft floor involves the location of a floor covering on top of it. Spread carpet with a soft pile or hide the floor under plastic tiles. The surface of coniferous trees will be an excellent base for fiberboard, laminate, linoleum. As an independent flooring can be used only in rooms of rare use. Be sure to treat the coating antiseptic formulations and apply varnish.

Sphere of use. The options for using tongue and groove board are not limited to creating floors in houses and on balconies. Since larch material is not afraid of moisture, tongue-and-groove boards are often used even in saunas, near pools. They are laid both on logs and on concrete, while using a special substrate that will enhance the soundproofing characteristics of the material.

Material cost

If there is a question, choose grooved boards or edged boards, then it is better to give preference to the first. The cost of a pine board starts from 5000 rubles. per m3. A quality edged board will cost the same amount. The most expensive material will cost class "Extra", cheaper - class "A". Until the moment of purchase, it is worth considering and calculating all the options in order to choose the one that suits you in terms of cost and quality.

• A board of grade AB made of pine costs about 6000 rubles / m3 .;
• grade B can be purchased for 5000 rubles / m3 .;
• the highest grade costs 8000 rubles/m3;
• since larch is valued more, its cost, depending on the variety, will fluctuate between 654-2000 rubles per 1 board.

The size of the grooved board also affects the price. So, if the length and width remain standard 6000mm / 135mm, then the width can vary from 28mm to 50mm.

Calculation of the required amount of grooved board

Before starting the installation of the floorboard, you need to purchase it in advance. But in order not to spend extra money, and also do not have to visit the store once again, you should immediately correctly calculate the required amount of material. It is desirable that the boards are from the same batch, from the same manufacturer, so they purchase necessary material for 1 time in the right amount.

• Calculate the area of ​​​​the room by multiplying the length and width indicators. If the room is represented by a complex shape, then it is conditionally divided into rectangles, calculating their area separately, and then summing it up.
• It must be remembered that the start and finish boards should be the length of the entire room, and the rest can be purchased in a smaller size.
• Next, calculate the indicator per linear meter of the material by multiplying the width and length of the board. Based on this, calculate the required amount running meters for laying flooring throughout the room.

Laying a grooved floor

There are 2 ways of fastening tongue-and-groove boards:

• on the concrete base or screed;
• on the lags.

Regardless of the laying method, the base must be sufficiently even and strong. If a lag is laid, then the tree must be treated with an antiseptic.

Grooved board mounting tools:

• nails, screws;
• hammer, mallet;
• yardstick;
• hacksaw, circular saw;
• staples.

Installation of grooved boards on concrete

• Waterproofing is necessarily carried out between the base and the floorboard. As it is used moisture resistant plywood, the thickness of which is over 10 mm. Plywood sheets are laid perpendicular to the future layer of the floorboard. A small gap of 2 mm should be left between the canvases. Between the walls and plywood they form an indent of 1.5 cm.
• The sheets are fastened with dowel-nails, the caps of which are sunk into the surface of the plywood. If necessary, polish the coating to obtain a smooth surface.
• Then tongue-and-groove boards are attached to plywood with self-tapping screws.

Installation of tongue-and-groove boards on logs

• Logs are a structure of boards with a thickness of at least 50 mm, located at a distance of 50-60 cm. A layer of insulation can be placed between them. Lay the logs in a certain way, keeping a gap of 2 cm at the joints. This is done so that the board does not deform due to the natural expansion of the material in the off-season.

• Further fastening of tongue-and-groove boards to the joists will be implemented using self-tapping screws.
• Under the wooden floor, voids must be left, as the tree needs ventilation. It is impossible to mount a warm floor system under it, since natural material subject to fire and high temperatures.
• An exception may be an infrared film floor, which is laid on a foil isolon over the boards.
• Start laying the first row, placing the board with a comb against the wall, observing the necessary clearance. The starting board should be the length of the entire wall. The same requirements apply to the finish board. Fix the starting board with self-tapping screws screwed in at a right angle. The length of the fasteners is 40 mm, and they are screwed in every 30 cm.
• The next few rows of material are not fixed with screws. The spikes are tightly inserted into the groove, ensuring a snug fit of the canvases. The rows in the center can be laid from short boards, the joints of which will be necessarily located on the logs. Alternate joints in a checkerboard pattern. The finishing board is laid indented from the wall, its length should be the entire wall.

• During laying, adjacent boards are tightly connected to each other. If necessary, they are attracted to each other with wedges. A gap of 2 cm is left around the perimeter of the room, which is then hidden with a floor plinth.
• The finish board is adjusted to required size considering clearance. Then it is laid in place, inserted into the groove of the previous row and fixed with wedges. After the last row is screwed with screws, the wedges can be removed.
• So that the boards do not change shape after laying, it is recommended to leave them in the room where they will be laid 1-2 weeks before installation. The moisture content of the wood will be optimal and the material will not deform.

Grooved board video

Helpful Hints:

• for a tight connection of the boards, each is tapped with a mallet along the entire length. To save the ridges, a piece of material with a groove is used between the hammer and the board;
• for high-quality joining of the boards, a bracket is temporarily driven in front of them, compressing the boards. This design holds the boards and allows them to be properly fixed.

Groove board is probably the best option for creating a wood floor. It is reliable, durable and does not dry out like a regular board. According to the laying technology, it is similar to the designer, which will not cause the master the slightest difficulty. If you cover the floorboards with varnish, you can leave it as a finished floor. It will look beautiful, elegant and original. If renovation is necessary, the floor board is cycled and covered with a new layer of varnish.

(Last Updated On: 05.12.2017)

Each master when installing a wooden floor wants to get a good result. This is quite possible by using not simple boards in the work, but with a special “latch”. In construction, a grooved floor board is considered one of the universal materials. Carrying out such work requires certain skills, abilities and compliance with the rules of installation.

Material Features

There is an opinion that a tongue-and-groove board is no different from a regular one, only it costs much more. This statement is not entirely correct. The material is very easy to lay due to the presence of a tongue on one side and a groove on the other side, which allows you to quickly and firmly connect the floorboards.

Such floors are easy to clean, there are no gaps between the floorboards, which creates the feeling of a single monolithic space. Moreover, the universal connection allows you to completely get rid of squeaks and rapid wear of the wooden coating.

When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the wood that was used in the manufacture of boards:

• Spruce or pine. These are relatively inexpensive wood species that can be processed well. They have excellent thermal conductivity. Therefore, the floor of these rocks is always warm. The downside is the softness of this tree. Any dents from heels will leave an unpleasant impression if the floorboards are not protected with a special coating (varnish, paint, mastic).
• The larch grooved board gives the floor a sophisticated natural pattern due to the structure and grain of the wood. Differs in durability and moisture resistance.
• The floor of oak or ash has hardness, richness. Boards from these tree species are considered the most durable and, at the same time, the most expensive in terms of cost.

floor laying

Before starting work, it is necessary to carry out the so-called "acclimatization" of the material. This means that the boards brought from the store should lie down for several days where the work is planned.

A grooved floor board can be laid on various bases, each of which has its own specifics:

• concrete floor;
• old wood flooring
• lags.

Installation of boards

Shrink film is removed from the rested and "acclimatized" boards. If we are laying along the logs, then we place the boards perpendicular to them. We fasten each floorboard with self-tapping screws, rubber mallet help the lock to click well. The space between the lags can be insulated with basalt wool mats.

In case the tongue-and-groove boards are laid directly on the old floor, parquet glue can be used. But he is unable to provide reliable fastening, so you have to insure yourself with self-tapping screws. It should be borne in mind that the technological gap between the walls and the floor should be on average 1 - 1.5 cm. It is usually done using wedges.

Tongue-and-groove board installation/assembly:

It is very important to properly prepare the base. Log laying is carried out strictly according to building level, the subfloor is swept, vacuumed, checked by level. The irregularities found are leveled pointwise, a plywood base is laid on top. The concrete subfloor also needs to be cleaned and, if leveling is required, done with a self-levelling mortar.

What is the advantage of such a floor

Groove board for the floor allows you to achieve perfect flat surface. Each floorboard is fitted to the next, reminiscent of laying parquet or laminate. But the strength and quality of the connection of the boards is incomparably higher.

This floor is resistant to wear, impact and mechanical damage. Capable of maintaining good quality for a long time appearance. If there is a desire to “refresh” the coating a little, it can be cycled off and then varnished.

The floor has fallen into disrepair and urgently needs to be repaired. What material to choose for finishing so that it is pleasant to walk barefoot and the coating looks neat, fresh and cozy? An excellent solution would be to use natural natural material - wood. Modern technologies allow ordinary tree make a durable and attractive do-it-yourself tongue and groove floor board.

What is grooved board

The classic edged board has been used for flooring for many centuries. The result is a warm and even floor, but such a coating has disadvantages that reduce comfort:

• annoying creaking of the floorboards, which can be very difficult to get rid of;
• gaps between the boards through which moisture and cold air pass;
• splinters and bumps dangerous for the skin;
• protruding nail heads.

A tongue-and-groove board is an edged floor board with side surfaces machined to look like a tongue for better laying.

Today, a solid wood floor is devoid of unpleasant disadvantages, although traditional varieties of hardwood, oak and coniferous species are used to create it:

• larch perfectly withstands mechanical stress, it is resistant to abrasion and does not rot at high humidity levels. Such a floor can be used outdoors for the construction of terraces and verandas, it is not required to varnish, if desired, you can use a colorless or tinted oil for care;
• oak has a dense and hard wood, the oak floor will last a long time and will not be scratched by chairs or heels;
• pine and spruce are soft, pleasant to the touch, but require varnishing.

There is also a board made of birch, alder, ash, mahogany, teak, and other valuable and exotic woods.

Why is it needed and where is it used?

This natural material is used in construction for laying the finishing floor and subfloor in private houses and apartments, on balconies and loggias, verandas and terraces, saunas and public spaces.

For industrial and commercial premises with a large number of people and equipment, the need for frequent wet cleaning and permanent mechanical loads wooden planks floor is not recommended.

Alder and aspen, according to the current GOST 8242, can be used for flooring only in living rooms. From cheap boards of grade C, they usually make rough floors.

You will learn more about what a solid board is, what types and varieties are there, the advantages and disadvantages of the material, as well as the difference from other types of coating, in the article:.

How it works

The grooved board has its own design features, thanks to which it acquires improved specifications to create a high-quality finished floor:

The dimensions of such boards are given to several standard dimensions for ease of calculating material consumption and ease of installation. The length of the board is usually chosen equal to the length of the room. It is possible to manufacture longer or thicker slats for individual orders.

Standard sizes:

• length varies from 100 to 400 cm;
• width reaches from 8.5 to 10 cm;
• thickness is from 2.5 to 3.5 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages of the material

Enhanced with modern technologies grooved batten has a lot of advantages over the usual edged:

• the locking connection gives a uniform distribution of the load, a snug fit and the absence of gaps between the boards, more high performance thermal insulation and sound absorption. The floor looks like a single seamless canvas, it does not need to be scraped;
• The service life of a sheet pile is several decades. Repair will have time to get bored, but it will still look great. In this case, you can sand the surface and give it a different tone with a stain or colored varnish;
• Standard dimensions make it easy to replace a single plank or combine different types of wood into an original ensemble;
• the smooth front side of the material looks luxurious immediately after purchase, it does not require additional polishing, it can be varnished or protective compounds without the risk of raising the pile, it is pleasant and safe to walk on it barefoot;
• the absolute environmental safety of this natural material and the glue-free connection make it possible to use it in children's rooms and bedrooms. The antistatic effect does not attract dust to the floor surface and facilitates maintenance;
• due to the presence of tongues and grooves on the back of the product, the floor is more resistant to moisture, does not warp, does not dry out, does not creak. Bottom ventilation prevents the development of fungus and mold;
• ease of installation allows even a novice specialist, which significantly reduces the cost of repairs;
• The variety of wood species, processing methods and various decorative effects provide ample opportunities for decorating the interior and giving the house a unique style.

A smooth and beautiful wooden floor must be supplemented with a plinth to get a finished look of the room. You can read about how to attach the baseboard to the floor in the material:.

The grooved board has disadvantages, like any natural material:

• low resistance to water, with constant wetting, the material can swell and rot. To solve this problem, wood is impregnated with antiseptics, and also covered with protective oils, waxes, varnishes;
• the high cost of the material is due to its naturalness, the quality of the feedstock and the complexity of the processing technology;
• the fire hazard is reduced by impregnation with flame retardants that prevent wood from igniting.

How to make a grooved board with your own hands

Another important advantage of tongue and groove is the possibility of making it yourself with certain woodworking skills. This painstaking work requires free time and knowledge of the intricacies of technology, as well as the rules for choosing high-quality raw materials. According to the appearance and condition of the material, the board is divided into the following grades:

• extra - the most expensive variety, there are no knots and defects on its surface, it has an absolutely smooth, uniform structure;
• A - a high-class variety, but small spots and darkening are allowed on its surface without the presence of knots or other defects in the wood structure;
• B - the most popular variety of the middle price category. Knots and other inclusions and spots on its surface do not spoil general form, and create an additional decorative effect of naturalness;
• C is a cheap grade with acceptable various heterogeneities of the structure and through knots.

Having decided on the grade, you should pay attention to other criteria for choosing the source lumber:

• humidity should be 10–15%, and ideally up to 8%, such indicators are achieved using industrial drying in special chambers, after which the board acquires its stable size and will not dry out anymore. You can determine the quality of drying by a shiny surface and a sonorous sound when tapped, and high level humidity is determined by the presence of condensate on inside polyethylene packaging;
• the integrity of the packaging will preserve low level humidity and quality of raw materials, when buying, you should also check the availability of certificates, checks and other accompanying documentation, it is recommended to choose products of well-known large brands that have earned the trust of consumers, a cheap board from an unknown manufacturer may be of poor quality;
• violations of the geometry and smoothness of grinding, especially for high-end products, are unacceptable, they will complicate the installation and may spoil the appearance of the finished coating. These parameters are checked visually and manually;
• with a combination of several different breeds wood, boards of the same standard size should be selected to reduce the number of trimmings. The type of wood depends on the purpose of the premises and the planned loads, operating conditions.

Necessary materials and tools

Boards bought, now you can start work.

At large factories, grooving is carried out on high-precision machine tools with program control.

For home rabbeting, you will need the following tools and materials:

• tape measure, level, ruler, square, marking pencil;
• impregnation from fire and biological damage;
• electric jigsaw or hacksaw for size correction;
• jointer with quarter selection function, milling machine;
• clamps for fixing the workpiece.

In cases where solid floorboards cannot be used, good option it may turn out to be a floor covering with an engineering board. What is an engineering board and how to mount it, we will tell you on our website:.

Step by step manufacturing process

Of course, it will not work to achieve a production class of extra-grade boards in a home workshop, but it is quite possible to make a lock connection and subsequently get a beautiful, even floor without creaks and cracks.

Stages of work to be performed:

1. Before work, you should keep the purchased raw materials indoors for several hours to adapt to temperature regime and humidity. A dry, clean board ready for processing must be fixed on the desktop with clamps so that it does not stagger or move during work.
2. Measure the middle of the end side surface along the long side and mark for the lock connection.
3. With a manual jointer or on a milling machine, you need to very accurately and accurately cut a quarter groove in one long end of the board.
4. On the other end, you need to select quarters along the edges from the drawn axis to make a tongue.
5. On the back side of the board, cut gutters or grooves for ventilation, one groove is enough. Sand the front side if necessary.
6. Treat the finished planks with an antiseptic and fire impregnation, which will extend the life of the floor and delay the need for repairs.

Video: how to make a tongue and groove board with your own hands

A grooved board will last for decades if the material is chosen correctly and the grooves are done slowly and carefully. After laying, it is desirable to cover the floors with several layers of protective varnish, then they can be washed, moved heavy furniture and walk on them in stilettos without the risk of scratching or pushing. Hard rocks that are resistant to mechanical stress can be coated with a special oil that will emphasize the beauty and reveal the texture of wood.

Floor coverings

How to make a floor from a grooved board in an apartment with your own hands?

From the author: We welcome beginners and professional builders, as well as those who have long dreamed of making repairs in their homes without involving professionals. Today we will talk about how to make a wooden floor in a room with your own hands, what dimensions of a tongue-and-groove floor board are best to use, in what sequence to work to get the desired result. After all, the energy efficiency of the entire building largely depends on the properly laid flooring. Want to save on utility bills? Then follow our advice!

Advantages and disadvantages of plank flooring

Tongue-and-groove is called lumber, on one side of which a longitudinal tongue (comb, spike) is cut out, and on the other - a groove. Competently laid in the apartment does not creak, does not bend, it has a long service life. Front side floorboards are smoothly sanded, and on the wrong side there are special grooves for ventilation. This ensures air circulation, prevents wood decay.

The wooden floor mounted in the room has a number of advantages compared to other types. floor coverings:

• high rates of noise and heat insulation, which ensures the creation of a cozy atmosphere in the room;
• the floorboards are made from a single solid wood, no chemicals are used in their production, which means that they are environmentally friendly and can be installed in any room;
• thanks to the groove-thorn connection used, the load on the floor is distributed evenly, and this, in turn, prolongs its service life. Plus, this type of connection guarantees ease of installation, the creation of a durable seamless coating that is resistant to deformation;
• it is easy to restore an attractive appearance by grinding, applying drying oil or a special varnish.

Such coverage also has disadvantages:

• relatively high cost in comparison with other lumber;
• sensitive to mechanical damage and insects, therefore, requires periodic treatment with antiseptics, paint, varnish.

How to choose the right boards

To create a quality floor with your own hands, you need to know about the types of lumber:

1. Type of wood:
   • oak, ash - very strong, beautiful, durable, but also the most expensive material:
   • larch - resistant to moisture, durable, does not require opening with varnish and stains;
   • pine, spruce - inexpensive, but soft materials, sensitive to external factors, their treatment with varnish is mandatory.
2. The size. Correctly choosing the dimensions of the floorboards is very important, because their thickness directly affects the strength and reliability of the floor, and an incorrectly selected length will complicate subsequent work on laying the flooring:
   • thickness - 18–45 mm;
   • width - 70–200 mm;
   • length - 1–6 m.
3. Humidity - an indicator from 12% to 16% is considered optimal.
4. Quality class. There are 4 classes, the material in which differs in appearance and uniformity of the structure.

Floor installation

You can lay grooved floorboards on almost any surface - an old wooden floor, logs, moisture-resistant plywood. If necessary, the base is leveled, hydro and thermal insulation is laid on it, after which you can proceed with installation. Our step-by-step instructions will help with this:

• lay the first plank with the spike against the wall for a secure seal;
• gently align the spike of the next floorboard with the groove of the previous one;
• professional builders recommend fastening with self-tapping screws, choosing one of the methods - inside the groove at an angle of 45% or screwing in from above, deepening the self-tapping screw in order to subsequently putty it;
• the last plank may be wider than required, so it can be carefully sawn along and attached to the wall in any convenient way, since the connection between the floor and the wall will be covered with a plinth;
• after installation, if desired, you can cover it with paint or varnish.

We are glad that today's information was useful and interesting for you. Leave comments, reviews about your experience of laying grooved flooring in an apartment, share information with friends, subscribe to us on social networks. Bye everyone, see you soon!

Wooden floors will never go out of style. After all, such a finish looks natural and noble. In addition, wood is an environmentally friendly and natural product that does not emit harmful compounds. There are several options for decorating a wood floor. You can choose parquet, or parquet board, but. Perhaps the most unusual view finishing is tongue-and-groove board. What is this material, and what is it used for - read on.

The grooved board is made of wood. Such an element has a centimeter groove on one side, and a spike of the same length on the other. They got their name just because of the presence of such a locking system, because the groove is called a tongue in a different way.

Sheet piling is a monolithic seamless structure. Floors finished with such material will not begin to creak and fall apart over time.

Devices for screeding boards (thorn and tongue) are made on a milling machine. Only under the condition that these two elements will have exact dimensions, the boards will be firmly connected to each other.

The sheet piling can be made from different types of wood. The material of such a product is selected depending on what it will be used for.

Types of grooved boards:

1. The cheapest option is pine sheet pile boards. They are not very durable and are afraid of moisture, so they need to be opened with several layers of varnish.
2. Larch tongue and groove is not afraid of moisture, but costs twice as much pine boards. This material is more durable and unattractive to insects.
3. Oak and ash board is the most expensive and beautiful material. Floors made of trees of such species look noble and aristocratic. High cost pays for strength and long service life.

In the construction markets, you can buy grooved boards of all existing species. First of all, when choosing a material, pay attention to its moisture content. The wooden floorboard must be saturated with liquid, no more than 10%.

There are standard sizes for grooved boards. Their length can vary between 100 - 500 cm, thickness 2.5-3.5 cm, and width 8.5-10 cm.

Advantages and disadvantages of grooved floor boards

Wooden tongue-and-groove boards have a lot of advantages. Of course, their features may vary depending on the type and type of wood from which they are made.

Advantages of grooved boards:

1. The thorn-groove fastener ensures even distribution of the load over the entire floor. Such a monolithic connection increases the life of the floor covering.
2. This type of boards is made in such a way that air can freely penetrate through the boards. Thus, fungus and mold will not start on the floor.
3. Tongue boards are eco-friendly material which meets all European quality standards.
4. Increased thermal insulation and sound insulation are additional advantages of such boards.
5. Installation of tongue-and-groove boards, thanks to the fastening system, is so simple that any beginner can handle it on their own.
6. The seamless, tongue-and-groove design looks great in many interior styles. Such a coating will look especially good in loft-style rooms.
7. In case of superficial damage to the wooden floor massive boards, it is easy for him to return an attractive appearance by re-sanding it and opening it with a new layer of varnish.

All these advantages make the tongue-and-groove board an excellent material for installation in a private house or a judge's apartment. However, such a coating has some disadvantages that may affect your choice.

Disadvantages of grooved board:

1. Wood is an expensive natural material, so grooved board will cost more than most other flooring. The price of such material will pay off over time due to its strength and long service life.
2. The grooved board is afraid of moisture, so from time to time it will need to be covered with a new layer of varnish or an oil-wax mixture.
3. The choice of wood species largely determines the quality and duration of the life of your flooring.

As you can see, there are not so many drawbacks to such a coating. If you are satisfied with the high price of the tongue and groove board, then you can safely purchase it.

Options for using a tongue and groove floor board

Grooved boards are not used very often because of their high price. However, apartments decorated with this noble material look very bright and original.

The first option for using a grooved board is to finish the subfloor. In this case, on top of the boards you need to lay decorative coating. For laying on a subfloor, you can use solid pine boards, they are not raw and are cheaper than all other types of wood.

Grooved boards look best in spacious rooms with ecological or laconic interior styles that prefer simple shapes. Especially successfully, this finish will fit into loft, modern and eco styles.

Another way to use tongue-and-groove boards is to finish the floor. This design move looks great in most interiors. For finishing the front surface, larch, oak or ash boards are most often used. Such tree species are stronger, moreover, they look much nobler than pine materials.

Pine boards look harmonious in combination with wallpaper in muted colors. Also if you want to do flooring more original, you can process it with a stain of any color. This technique will provide additional protection to the flooring.

On what basis can a floor sheet be laid

The grooved board can be laid on almost any base. In order for such a coating to last as long as possible, the floor surface must be prepared. Make additional thermal insulation and waterproofing.

On what grounds can you lay tongue-and-groove boards with your own hands:

1. Tongue-and-groove boards can be laid on a concrete base. If there are pronounced irregularities on such a surface, then it must be filled with a new layer of screed.
2. You can also mount such a design on logs. Logs are attached to the base with screws, dowels or glue.
3. If you decide to use tongue-and-groove boards as a front finish, you can lay plywood. Plywood is attached to the base with glue or self-tapping screws.
4. An old wooden floor can also be revetted with a grooved board. The main thing is that all its elements are intact and firmly held on the base.

Whatever base you use, you need to take care of additional insulation gender. First, a waterproofing film is laid on the subfloor, then a heater, for example, glass wool, last layer the film is reapplied. Only after all the layers are in place can the tongue and groove board itself be used.

Laying a tongue and groove floor on a concrete base

First of all, in order to lay the boards on concrete, it is necessary to carry out some preparatory work. There are two ways to level the base: using a self-leveling screed or using a metal spatula and a cement-sand composition.

It is not necessary to use insulation under the grooved board. However, using such an upgrade, you will get a warm floor.

Next, you need to choose a heater and waterproofing film. Which materials are better, it is difficult to say. One thing is clear that ideal option considered natural insulation and durable polyethylene film. You can also use a waterproofing primer.

Assembling a warm floor on a concrete base with your own hands:

1. Plywood or chipboard is attached to the concrete base. The distance at which the plywood edge should be from the walls is 1.5 cm. I also leave a gap between the plywood sheets. It should be equal to 2 mm. To fix this layer, you will need self-tapping screws that are recessed into the tree.
2. Find out the dimensions of the floor. Boards are cut along them, for this it is used special device, for example, a jigsaw or a hacksaw.
3. The tongue and groove boards themselves are attached to the plywood. The first element must be placed with a spike to the wall, and with a round groove from it. To tighten the boards use self-tapping screws or nails. Such contraction should be reproduced at an angle of 45-50 degrees, in increments of 30 cm.
4. After all the boards are laid, the gaps between the walls and the floor are puttied and decorated with a plinth.

This is the easiest option for laying a tongue and groove board. With such an installation, it is quite possible to handle it yourself. Fastening boards to plywood is easy and fast, but more often they use rallying elements with lags.

More complex do-it-yourself tongue-and-groove board laying on logs

Logs are thick wooden bars that are installed on a leveled concrete floor. They are laid in increments of 30-60 cm. It is necessary to lay a soundproof underlay on them.

On top of the standing comb, the lag should be put on moisture-resistant plywood. The requirements for its thickness are quite strict, material thinner than 1.8 mm is not suitable.

Attaching boards to joists:

1. The first board is placed with a crest to the wall at a distance of 1 cm. Its fastening is done using self-tapping screws or nails, while the first board is correctly fixed across the entire width.
2. Next, install three boards. In this case, the crest of each next board must be inserted at an angle into the groove of the previous element. For a better connection, the boards are tapped with a rubber mallet.
3. You can tighten the boards with a jack. Nail the bars to the last log, the screw jack will rest against them. Install the second beam on the edge of the board. Install the jack so that it rests on both the block on the log and the block on the board. In this way, you can firmly connect the boards.

How to make a grooved board with your own hands

To decorate your house with grooved boards, it is not necessary to buy ready-made material. The folded board may well be made by hand. To do this, you will need a manual jointer and a milling machine, as well as some kind of edged tool, as well as dry boards.

If you could not find a quality, well-dried material, then you will have to dry it yourself. However, this step will take a long time.

Laying a tongue-and-groove board with your own hands (video)

Tongue-and-groove boards are made as follows: the material is fixed with clamps, markings are applied to it, and a spike and a ridge are cut from different sides of the board using a machine tool or jointer.

Sheet pile is a great alternative block parquet. It also looks luxurious, but it is easier to install it yourself.