Often asked: How To Lay Wood Flooring On Concrete Slab?

Can hardwood floors be installed on concrete slab?

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.

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 a concrete slab?

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 a wooden floor on a concrete base?

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.

What is the best flooring to put on a concrete floor?

Ceramic tile is the designer’s choice, with tons of colors and styles. It’s unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that’s smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

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.

Do you need a subfloor on concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you‘ll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: A subfloor will help insulate against a concrete floor that becomes overly cold in winter.

Can I put plywood over concrete floor?

If you’re installing plywood over an existing dry concrete floor, you shouldn’t have any problem. However, a new concrete floor contains a lot of moisture. So, you need to allow it to cure for at least 60 days before even bothering to check the moisture level.

How do you glue engineered wood flooring to concrete?

How To: Install Engineered Hardwood Flooring on Concrete

1. Test the Humidity of the Concrete.
2. Prepare the Floor and Let Planks Acclimate.
3. Spread the Adhesive with a Notched Trowel.
4. Laying Down the Flooring Planks.
5. Apply Pressure to the Flooring.
6. Wait and Finish (If Needed)

Can you glue floorboards to concrete?

If you want to glue wooden flooring over concrete, here is what you will need to know. You can fit both engineered wood and solid wood flooring over a concrete subfloor. A solid wooden floor needs to be glued down to the concrete. An engineered wooden floor can either be glued down or laid over an underlay.