Herringbone Wood Floor Tutorial

One task for the Undersized Urbanite challenge is complete: the herringbone floor is finished.  It came out a bit crooked, so I would recommend marking up the entire backing before putting down the "boards", so that the floor is straighter than mine.  Another tip I would give would be to not precut the wood, since it became something of a puzzle where I'd have to find the correct piece.  In the end, I'd measure each piece, and mark it with my fingernail, since the wood is so soft, before cutting. 

I had no idea what I had gotten into at this stage

Materials:

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Coffee stirrers
• Herringbone template
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Stain and Polyurethane



I ended up putting in a "stone" entry way,
just so the floor could be done by
Christmas.  Also, to preserve my sanity.

Tutorial:

1. Start with the room measurements and make a base.  I had to use thinner cardboard to connect two pieces, since my floor is for a great room.
2. Use the template to mark the base, so you have a guide to place your planks.
3. Surround the base with coffee stirrer edges. 
4. Measure and cut the stirrers with scissors into planks.
5. Fill in the interior by gluing in the planks.
6. When finished, sand smooth. 
7. Stain and polyurethane.
8. Enjoy.

I got to use my orbital sander for the first time on this project - fun!  It was as smooth as a baby's bottom when I was done sanding. 





Before, floor is uneven and unstained.  Also,
far wall is not yet wallpapered.

After, floor is as smooth as silk and stained.
Back wall now has wallpaper.  It is difficult
to tell, but the stone entry now is grouted.