Table of Contents
How To: Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring on Concrete Test the Humidity of the Concrete. Prepare the Floor and Let Planks Acclimate. Spread the Adhesive with a Notched Trowel. Laying Down the Flooring Planks. Apply Pressure to the Flooring. Wait and Finish (If Needed).
Is it better to glue or float an engineered wood floor on concrete?
As an installation method, glued down is most suited for either concrete or wood subfloors. If you are trying to decide between the two, then for engineered wood flooring floating is usually the best option as you can install it quickly and don’t have to worry about which glue to use and how long to wait for it to dry.
Do I need a vapor barrier between concrete and wood flooring?
Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?” The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.
How level does concrete floor need to be for engineered hardwood?
Typically, the floor must be level and uniform within 3/16 inch every 10 feet. Check your wood flooring manufacturer’s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder. Fill any low spots with a cementitious leveling compound following the manufacturer’s directions and allow it to dry before proceeding.
Can you put wood flooring directly on concrete?
If you have a concrete slab main floor or basement, you may be wondering if it’s possible to install hardwood flooring directly on top of the concrete. The short answer is yes.
Can you walk on engineered hardwood floors after installation?
Engineered hardwood flooring can resist warping from changes in temperature much better than solid hardwood flooring, so you only need to wait a day before walking on it.
Does engineered flooring need to be glued down?
Many installers and manufacturers prefer the glue-down method because of its superior stability. Gluing down your floor leads to less shifting and creaking, making the engineered hardwood feel and sound more secure.
Can I float engineered wood over concrete?
A floating engineered hardwood is installed much like a laminate and can be floated over a variety of subfloors, including concrete, wood, tile and vinyl. Before you start piecing these planks together, you must prepare your room and the subfloor.
Do you need underlay for solid wood flooring on concrete?
It is important to mention that you do not need a wood floor underlay when you have a solid hardwood floor and that’s because it is not stable, hence it has to be installed mechanically to the concrete subfloor.
Do you put underlay under engineered wood flooring?
If you engineered floor has a click system, then it must be installed onto an underlay. All of our wood and laminate flooring underlay is suitable for timber sub-floor underlay, but ensure that you are using a concrete underlay if installing onto concrete.
What is a floating engineered wood floor?
Floating wood floors are thinner tongue and groove flooring sections that interlock together without any actual fasteners. Typically, this type of hardwood flooring is set up with a series of tongues and grooves so that they can be attached to one another.
Do I need a subfloor over concrete?
If you don’t plan to use the space, there is no need for a subfloor or floor covering. Concrete or tile-over-concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements. But to install any kind of floor covering—engineered wood, laminate, carpeting—basement subflooring is highly required.
What floor covering is best for a concrete floor?
Best Flooring for Concrete Slab Foundation Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance. Laminate. Carpet. Tile.
What do you put between wood and concrete?
Anyplace where wood meets the ground or concrete, the lumber must be pressure treated. For additional moisture protection, a gasket or strip of closed-cell foam can be installed between the concrete foundation and the sill plate.
What do you put under wood on concrete?
Lay 6-mil polyethylene sheeting over the concrete to minimize moisture migration from the concrete up into the wood flooring. Then fasten 3/4-in. treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Alternatively, screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in.
What is the cheapest way to level a concrete floor?
There are self-leveling coatings designed to fill gaps and cracks. You could also try using vinyl floor tiles to make the transition more gradual. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) thing to do would be to get a big diamond grinding wheel and bevel down the lip.
Can you put engineered hardwood in a basement?
Yes, you can install hardwood in a basement, as long as there is not a water nor moisture issue. If your basement is below grade (i.e. beneath the ground), then you need to use an engineered hardwood (rather than solid hardwood).
How do you attach wood to concrete without drilling?
Cut Nail. Using cut nails is an easy approach for attaching wooden items to concrete without a hammer drill. The cut nail has a square, tapered shape with a tip pa. These are driven through a board into the concrete underneath, much like nailing wood to the wood floor.
What goes under engineered wood flooring?
You must have a wood or plywood subfloor in order to staple or nail onto. Concrete or other hardboard type subfloor materials will not hold staples or nails. Staple/Nail down installation provides the best finished look as well, because the boards are “racked” together tight when hit with the nailer.
Does hardwood acclimate in box?
It is possible to acclimate hardwood flooring in the box, but it will take much longer due to the lack of air circulation. Keep the boxes in the same room you plan to install the flooring or somewhere with a similar temperature and humidity level.
How hard is it to install engineered hardwood floors?
Engineered wood floors are easy to install and resistant to moisture, making them a great alternative to traditional hardwood floors. Use these step-by-step instructions to install engineered hardwood floors in your home.
