How To Install Wood Flooring On Concrete

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.

How to install wood flooring on concrete.

There are three ways to lay a floor over concrete. The hard way nails or screws. 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. You can nail a plywood subfloor to the concrete with powder actuated fasteners but that method isn t recommended for floors with radiant heating elements.

Most people can install this type of hardwood flooring as long as they are willing to do a little bit of work. Wood planks to the plywood. If you love solid wood floors and your home rests on a concrete slab you re not out of luck. Follow these steps with care to safely complete the installation yourself.

Laminate flooring is also fairly easy to install. How to install hardwood over concrete 3 methods. Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements. Floating wood flooring can provide you with a simple installation and a beautiful floor at the same time.

You can attach it directly to the concrete or install a subfloor first and then attach the floor to that. The most straightforward method is not to attach it but float the floor on top. Here are the basics of how to install floating hardwood floors over concrete. Apply adhesive and flooring always read manufacturer s instructions when applying the adhesive.

Using a v notch trowel apply the adhesive to floor in small sections. Most 3 4 inch solid hardwood flooring can be installed using nails or staples over an approved subfloor. Most engineered flooring can be installed using staples full spread adhesive or a floating method over an approved subfloor. Stack flooring log cabin style or just spread it around the room but not directly on concrete.

Only spread enough for a few rows at a time. However many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab. Another method is to install a floating plywood subfloor consisting of two layers of 3 8 1 2 or 5 8 inch plywood attached together with short fasteners that won t penetrate the concrete. Many types of flooring can be installed over a concrete sub floor.

Wood floor over concrete details lay a plastic moisture barrier and then screw 3 4 in.