Installing Hardwood Floors Over Concrete Home Tips

Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still enjoy the beauty and charm of hardwood floors.

Installing hardwood floors over concrete home tips. Engineered wood flooring can be installed below grade. When you are installing a moisture barrier you want to make sure that there are no gaps and that the entire floor is covered. When the adhesive requires add a moisture control system before applying the adhesive. Installing solid hardwood flooring in a basement that is below grade generally voids the warranty so if you really want the look of hardwood there choose engineered over solid planks.

Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs. Before you can install over a concrete subfloor you are going to need to put in a moisture barrier. The following is a guide to help alleviate any concerns or worries about installing hardwood floors over concrete. It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected.

Condition of slab type of concrete location of slab flatness and moisture. Read on for in depth details on these five key areas. Solid wood flooring should only be installed over an above grade concrete slab. Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home.

Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape. Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier. When direct gluing a wood subfloor over concrete follow the adhesive manufacturer s recommendation for moisture requirements and limitations type of adhesive application method trowel notch type and spread rates. Watch this video to see how easy it is.

Put the first board up against the mason s line with the groove side facing away from the walls. Laminate will cost less. Put one 1 2 inch spacer against each wall and slide the end of the board up. This comes in a roll that you can unroll over the floor.

Use a tapping block to click pieces together image 1. Tape seams together with painter s tape image 2. The secret behind a successful install over concrete is to focus on five key areas. The slab should be at least 60 days old dry flat have a trowel finish and be free of high or low spots.

Tap 1 4 inch shims in between the edges of the floor and the wall to leave room for expansion image 3. If you have a concrete then you have choices to make 1. Use 1 2 inch spacers to assist in maintaining the 1 2 inch expansion gap between the first row of flooring planks and.