Hardwood Floor On Concrete Subfloor

If a wood subfloor is in place, measure the moisture content percentage (mc%) of the wood subfloor and the engineered wood flooring to confirm all the engineered hardwood is acclimated.

Hardwood floor on concrete subfloor. Most flooring manufacturers say you should not install hardwood over concrete if the tests show the moisture emission rate is over 3 pounds. While in the case of a wooden subfloor, nailing method brings a good outcome. Use a minimum of two layers 3/8” (10 mm) cd exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (cdx) in 4’ x 8’ sheets. In the case of a chipboard or concrete subfloor, glue works better.

This review is fromjatoba imperial 3 8 in t x 5 in w x varying length click lock. But do not fret, this article will come in handy when you are looking for how to install hardwood floor on concrete. For a concrete subfloor, you should install the plank with the sight lines of the floor. If you’re working with a concrete subfloor, you should always test for moisture prior to installing your new floor.

Your concrete floor or slab must be flat. Check for hollow spots, cracks and loose areas. 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. Sheet vinyl can be installed over an old hardwood floor but a layer of 1/4 inch or thicker underlayment has to be installed over the old hardwood flooring first.

Concrete is a more common subfloor in basements, and sometimes on the first floor of residential homes that don’t have basements (we’re looking at you, california). Do not attempt to glue a wood floor over a chalky or soft concrete slab. If your going over a wood subfloor and then going over concrete we would suggest using an engineered floor and the direct glue down method. 19 luxe laying wood floors over concrete ideas blog description:

Concrete is a porous material and can retain moisture and emit moisture vapor, which could end up in the wood floor above unless the proper precautions are taken. This may be as simple as a 6 mil polyethylene plastic covering 100 percent of the concrete and brought up all walls, then trimmed after the floor has been installed. Measure and mark the center of all four walls at floor level. If you love solid hardwood floors and your home rests on a concrete slab, you’re not out of luck.

If a concrete subfloor is in place, conduct an rh moisture test on the concrete according to the astm f2170 standard to verify its readiness for installation. When installing hardwood flooring on basement, the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. If you are planning on installing any type of glue down hardwood floor product you must see the entire concrete surface, and make sure that it is flat within 3/16″ in a 10 foot radius or 1/8″ within a 6 foot radius. Solid hardwood can not be glued (except for bamboo)) 3.

Using a minimum 5/8 cdx (3/4 recommended) plywood, the material is installed over the same moisture barriers (mastic excluded) but attached by way of concrete fasteners. Make sure the concrete is well bonded to the subfloor. Should the floor need to be repaired or replaced, it is easier/better with underlayment than with the subfloor. Subfloors for 3/4 hardwood installations the more preferred type of subfloors would include those mentioned above for solid flooring.

Actually, the floor must be flat, which allows for minor variations in the level. Solid hardwood floors are suitable for installing both at ground level and above ground level, assuming the concrete is dry and that the right subfloor and vapor retarders are used. If you have a concrete slab floor, the slab may be considered the subfloor. It’s essential to choose the best option from the available types of floors for your hardwood installation on a concrete slab.

(for more on concrete subfloors, see how to get a concrete subfloor ready for wood floors in the february/march 2003 issue.) in new construction, the slab should be given at least. Home legend brazilian walnut gala 3 8 in t x 5 in w x varying description: Hardwood floor designs new best type wood flooring best floor floor wood floor wood 0d putting via: Typical sight lines run parallel to the longest wall, but each home is different.

The plywood becomes the new subfloor with the hardwood floor laying on top. The subfloor is the foundation of a good floor installing hardwood floor 170040982 582b748c5f9b58d5b17d0c58 via thespruce.com amazon com dritac wood floor repair kit engineered flooring only amazon com dritac wood floor repair kit engineered flooring only 32oz home kitchen via amazon.com Plywood can usually span slight imperfections and waves in the concrete, but check to see each 4x8 sheet is level and the same height across the floor. Over the most recent thirty years the most popular method of installing solid 3/4 hardwood on concrete was a plywood subfloor attached to the slab (illustration above).

Place the first layer with edges parallel to the longest starting wall. You’ll need to drill through the wood and into the concrete to fasten it down. Now depending on your subfloor, either gluing or nailing might be the best for you. Typically made of plywood or osb and ranging in thickness from 19/32 to 1 1/8 thick, the subfloor is truly structural, second only to joists in this respect.

The floor is secured via the base molding around the edges. The misconception is that a concrete subfloor must be completely level to install hardwood.