Reddit reviews Wood Flooring: A Complete Guide to Layout, Installation & Finishing

I would highly recommend This Book . He goes through the basics in detail and then spends quite a bit of time on the more decorative stuff. I knew nothing about flooring when I started and I was able to put this together before moving into our house. The hard part is getting your floor prepped, leveled etc.. Once you have a nice flat surface, laying out the floor and nailing it down are relatively easy if you have the right tools (most of which can be rented). I don't like the look of pre-finished boards so I finished myself. They make a sander called U-sand with DIY people in mind, it is much more forgiving than a drum sander although it takes a little longer. I am happy with the results I achieved and very glad I didn't spend to have someone else do it.

This book is a good reference to have.