How to Install a Wood Floor Against a Rock Wall

Adjust the diamond-tipped blade’s height on a jamb saw so you can slide a piece of wood floor under the rock. To determine the correct height, lay a piece of the flooring next to the blade and raise the blade until it is just a hair above the flooring.

Put on eye protection, work gloves and a dust mask. Cut along the rock wall holding the jamb saw so the blade is perpendicular to the wall. Hold the saw so that about 1 inch of the blade goes into the rock. This leaves space for an expansion gap under the rock wall. This makes a lot of dust, so cover your furniture.

Lower the level of the blade until it is even with the floor and make a second cut along the rock wall. This loosens the rock from the bottom so it is easier to remove. Take out all loose pieces of rock from the wall.

Allow the wood floor to acclimate to the room by leaving it where it will be installed for three days before installation.

Pour a small amount of floor adhesive on the existing floor and spread it with a notched trowel. Spread enough glue for two to three rows of wood floor.

Slide the first row of wood with the tongue facing the room under the rock wall’s edge, leaving about a one-quarter inch gap underneath the rock. Although you can't see this small gap, you can estimate how much space is under the rock. Pressing the wood down firmly and gently tapping the wood with a tapping block ensures proper adhesion.

Fit the next wood plank’s groove onto the tongue of the first one, pressing it into the glue and tapping it gently with the tapping block. Continue in this manner, spreading the glue and laying the wood planks until the entire floor is laid.

Leave a one-quarter inch gap along all the room’s walls allowing for expansion of the wood with the temperature variations. Install baseboards covering the gap or fill the gaps with matching caulk.