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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.
How do you lay hardwood flooring over concrete?
You can also install a solid wood floor over a concrete subfloor by floating it on an adhesive backed underlay such as Fast Fit Peel & Stick Underlay. This has adhesive on one side which the solid wood floor is laid onto. Before you lay down the underlay you will need to first lay a damp proof membrane.
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 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.
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 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.
Can you install solid wood flooring over concrete?
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). Wood floors should not be subjected to very wet conditions.
Can you float a hardwood floor over concrete?
Floating hardwood floors can be installed above, below, or on grade. It is a great option for when you need to install over radiant heat systems. Floating floors also work over just about any subfloor. Plywood, ceramic tile, linoleum floors, and concrete are no problem for a floating floor installation.
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.
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.
How do you attach plywood to concrete floor?
Plywood-on-slab. Place a 6-mil polyethylene vapor retarder directly over the concrete. Lay 3/4-inch plywood sheets opposite to the direction of the finish flooring, leaving a 1/4-inch gap between panels to eliminate squeaking. Fasten the plywood to the concrete using powder-actuated fasteners or concrete nails.
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 the cheapest way to finish a basement floor?
Cheap Basement Flooring Ideas Epoxy and Concrete Paint. Paint is generally your cheapest basement floor option. Concrete Stain and Sealer. Concrete stain is another inexpensive option. Linoleum or Vinyl. Ceramic Tile Flooring. Rubber and Foam Mats. Traditional Carpet Flooring. Laminate or Engineered Hardwood.
Does wood floor need underlay?
Because wood flooring is naturally much more substantial than a carpet or other flooring alternatives, it doesn’t actually need underlay. That said, we would normally recommend underlay when fitting a boarded floor to a wooden subfloor simply because it provides better insulation.
Can you use carpet underlay for wood flooring?
While carpet underlay works well for carpet, it isn’t as suitable for wood floors. It’s not a good idea to install wood floors, including hardwood planks and engineered wood flooring, over carpet underlay! It’s too thick for the hardwood planks, which won’t fit well under doors, baseboards, and cabinets.
How do you damp proof a floor?
When faced with damp in concrete floors, there are two options available: Dig up the old concrete floor, install a new damp proof membrane and lap up edges before replacing the concrete slab. Fully isolate the dampness in the floor using a surface Damp Proof Membrane (DPM).
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.
How do you keep wood from rotting on concrete?
Consider Adding Posts to Concrete From here, you should fill the hole with about 6 inches of gravel. This will prevent rotting by ensuring that the post is kept dry when water makes its way into the soil. Place the post in the gravel, then fill it with a batch of cement until it reaches the top of the hole.
