Often asked: How To Install Hardwood Over Concrete?

Do you need underlay for solid wood flooring on concrete?

Because you are likely to be fixing your solid wood boards to the subfloor, underlay is not usually used, but there are slatted underlays you can buy for the purpose, with pre-cut slots that allow the floor to be glued directly to the subfloor (try Acoustalay Slatted Glue Through Underlay, available from Screwfix).

How do you install solid wood flooring on 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.

What is the best flooring to put over concrete?

Best Flooring for Concrete Slab Foundation

1. Engineered Wood. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability.
2. Vinyl. As a longstanding choice for kitchens and bathrooms, vinyl has a reputation for extreme water resistance.
3. Laminate.
4. Carpet.
5. Tile.

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.

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 glue down solid hardwood flooring to concrete?

Solid parquet hardwood flooring can be glued directly to a concrete slab on grade or above grade with the use of a manufacturer recommended vapor retarder. Solid parquet should not be installed below grade.

Can you glue down 3/4 inch hardwood flooring?

No, 3/4 solid Hardwood flooring can expand and contract more than engineered wood flooring. I would not suggest direct gluing down any 3/4–inch thick solid Hardwood flooring to any surface, the adhesive bond might not allow the solid wood flooring to move or breath normally and can cause the wood flooring to distort.

Can you float a hardwood floor over concrete?

Versatile installation



Floating hardwood floors can be installed above, below, or on grade. 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 can I put over concrete?

You have many choices of flooring that can be placed over concrete in any interior or exterior condition.

• Engineered Wood. Engineered wood is real wood.
• Cork Flooring. Install cork flooring over concrete as long as the floor is level and clean.
• Laminate Flooring.
• Carpeting.
• Decorative Concrete.

Can you put flooring over 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 underlayment for vinyl plank flooring on concrete?

The rule of thumb is any vinyl over 4mm can have a vinyl specific underlayment. Vinyl floors under 4mm should be installed right over the subfloor. If you have any areas on a concrete subfloor with moisture concerns, it is recommended to use a vapor barrier underlayment that will not add any cushion to the planks.

How do you attach wood to concrete without drilling?

If you are willing to make holes in the concrete but do not want to buy the particular drill bit needed, then the simplest solution is to get nails for your project. Standard nails will not work on concrete, but some nails are made specifically for nailing wood to concrete. Cut nails will also work for this as well.

Should you glue down wood floors?

Solid hardwood floors must be fixed into position by either gluing or nailing down to the subfloor. If you have a concrete subfloor, then you should glue your hardwood down, if you have a wooden subfloor then you can choose either method of installation.

Is it better to glue or float hardwood floors?

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.