Definition: Tongue-and-groove wood flooring has a "tongue" along one side of the board (long-wise) and a "groove" along the opposite side of the board. When installed, the tongue of one board fits snugly into the groove of the adjoining board.
The reasoning behind tongue and groove wood floor is that it fits tightly together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle, preventing the flooring from moving around and creating unsightly gaps. Yet the tongues fit loosely enough in the grooves that the floor is able to expand and contract as humidity levels change.
When installed, a nail is first pounded into the groove of a board. Then another floorboard is laid down, tongue first. That board is then nailed on its grooved side. The process is repeated until the very last floorboard. Since this last floorboard cannot be nailed in the groove (due to space limitations), it is face-nailed.
The reasoning behind tongue and groove wood floor is that it fits tightly together, almost like a jigsaw puzzle, preventing the flooring from moving around and creating unsightly gaps. Yet the tongues fit loosely enough in the grooves that the floor is able to expand and contract as humidity levels change.
When installed, a nail is first pounded into the groove of a board. Then another floorboard is laid down, tongue first. That board is then nailed on its grooved side. The process is repeated until the very last floorboard. Since this last floorboard cannot be nailed in the groove (due to space limitations), it is face-nailed.
Also Known As: tongue-and-groove, tongue in groove, tongue-in-groove, tongue and groove
Examples:
Mary found that the addition of tongue-and-groove wood floor gave her house a classic touch.
