Installing Hardwood Floors Over Concrete Subfloor

As with a floated subfloor nwfa recommends a vapor retarder for glue down subfloors when installing wood flooring over concrete.

Installing hardwood floors over concrete subfloor.

You can install either an engineered hardwood floor this is real hardwood done in layers or a laminate floor this is fake floor that looks like hardwood on top of cement. Your concrete floor or slab must be flat. 3 2 use a concrete grinder to level high spots. Hardwood flooring can be installed successfully on either on grade or above ground concrete slabs.

If your going over a wood subfloor and then going over concrete we would suggest using an engineered floor and the direct glue down method. Laminate will cost less. Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home. Concrete makes a strong and durable subfloor when installing hardwood floors.

Most flooring manufacturers say you should not install hardwood over concrete if the tests show the moisture emission rate is over 3 pounds. 3 1 with a long metal straightedge identify dips or high spots that exceed recommended tolerances for the floor you are installing usually within a variance of 3 16 every 10 feet or 1 8 every 6 feet. Moisture can pose problems for solid hardwood floors below ground level so engineered wood floors made of layers of wood glued together are the best choice there. Rip cut the last row by cutting it lengthwise if.

When installing hardwood flooring on basement the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. Unless you can glue down two layers of 1 2 inch plywood over the concrete using bostik best flooring adhesive and adding to the existing wood subfloor then run the 3 4 solid wood floor through out the whole area nailing stapling it down with 2 inch nails staples. 3 3 fill low spots with self levelling compound or portland cement. A moisture control membrane is recommended any time a wood subfloor is installed over concrete.

The nwfa recommends plywood with a minimal thickness of. After installing a vapor retarder if necessary cut your plywood panels into 2 x8 or 4 x4 sections. Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. If you have a concrete then you have choices to make.

With dry concrete and the right subfloors and vapor retarders solid hardwood floors can be installed on slabs that are either on grade at ground level or above grade above ground level.