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Can hardwood floors be installed on concrete slab?
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.
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.
Can you put flooring directly on concrete?
Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.
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.
Can you float a solid wood floor on concrete?
The quickest way to get new wood underfoot is to install a floating floor. Unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor isn’t nailed down. Instead, the planks are either glued or snapped together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material—concrete, plywood, sheet vinyl, even ceramic tile.
How do you install hardwood floors on a concrete basement?
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).
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.
Can you glue solid hardwood to concrete?
When gluing a solid or engineered wood floor down to concrete, you should use a flexible flooring adhesive. This allows your flooring to expand and contract naturally without causing any damage to the planks.
What is the best underlay for wood flooring on concrete?
Super Gold is the thickest underlay you can put under laminate or wood flooring. The main benefit of a thicker product is the warmth properties it has. It has a built in damp proof membrane so works great when laying on concrete floors for example kitchens and other downstairs rooms.
Is it better to glue or float an engineered wood floor?
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. If you are installing hardwood flooring then using glue may give you a more stable result.
Do you have to put a moisture barrier under laminate flooring?
All laminate flooring requires an underlayment to allow the floor to float and give the locking system its strength. You will need a moisture barrier underlayment when installing: On a cement subfloor. On any subfloor that has a chance of moisture coming up and soaking into the flooring.
Do you need to seal a concrete floor before laying laminate?
You don’t need to seal a concrete floor before installing laminate; however, to prevent moisture from the concrete floor from affecting your laminate, install a vapor barrier of polyethylene film. Install this barrier even if the concrete subfloor is covered by vinyl, linoleum, terrazzo or ceramic 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.
Should you put underlayment under hardwood floors?
Why You Need Underlayment While underlayment isn’t always necessary for your hardwood floors, there are always benefits to it. One of the most significant reasons to install underlayment is the added stability and durability. Underlayment provides support for your floor and helps smooth subfloor imperfections.
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.
Should I put engineered hardwood in my basement?
At Carlisle, we recommend engineered wood as the best flooring for basement installation. For this reason, engineered floorboards are ideal for installation over radiant heat and concrete slab. Engineered flooring can be glued directly to the subfloor, nailed or glued to a plywood subfloor.
How do you attach plywood subfloor to concrete slab?
To install a floated subfloor system, first place a layer of plywood subfloor panels with the edges parallel to the wall. Use a ¾” spacer between the plywood and the wall and a 1/8” spacer between panels. Next, lay a second layer of plywood at a 45-degree angle to the first layer.
How do you install sleepers on a concrete floor?
Place the sleepers in mastic around the room’s perimeter, abutting their ends. Secure them to the slab with 2 1/4-inch powder-actuated fasteners or masonry nails. Using the same methods, place sleepers across the slab on 16-inch centers, perpendicular to the direction the finish flooring will run.
What is a sleeper floor?
Subfloor sleeper are used in basements to protect certain types of flooring such as laminate, hardwood, and carpet. Most basements have concrete floors, which have the potential to draw moisture. The sleeper is designed to prevent warping and mold growth, which ultimately extends the life of your floor.
