Question: How To Install Concrete Floors Over Wood Subfloors?

Can you pour concrete over plywood subfloor?

Installing a Concrete Floor Over a Wood Subfloor



It’s best to place the underlayment over 3/4-inch-thick plywood fastened with screws at 12- to 16-inch intervals to help decrease deflection and add stability.

Can concrete flooring be installed over wood?

A decorative concrete flooring material can be installed over an existing concrete slab, a plywood subfloor or a 3/4-inch solid hardwood flooring. When it comes to solid wood, both strip and plank flooring are acceptable as long as they are in good condition.

Can you pour concrete on plywood?

Many contractors will tell you that pouring concrete over wood can be a tough job to undertake. For example, plywood is notoriously difficult to pour over since the wood is very porous and won’t allow the concrete to settle evenly. You can pour concrete over plywood floors.

Can you pour self-leveling concrete over wood?

Self–Leveling Underlayment is an easy-to-use, cement-based underlayment that self-levels. Just mix it with water, pour and spread. The underlayment is excellent for smoothing and flattening interior surfaces before installing floor coverings. Use over concrete, wood, tile, terrazzo and cut back adhesive.

What do you put between wood and concrete?

In most cases, either pressure-treated lumber or naturally durable lumber (defined by the IRC as the heartwood of redwood, cedar, black locust, and black walnut) is acceptable. In some cases, separating wood from concrete with a water-impervious membrane or vapor retarder is all that’s required.

How do you attach plywood to concrete?

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.

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 I put concrete floors in my house?

It’s not just for sidewalks; concrete is a stylish choice for indoor floors. Its surface can be finished in various ways—with colors, stains, and aggregates—and given a textured surface or buffed until glassy. Concrete floors are extremely durable and easy to clean, and they resist water when properly sealed.

Does concrete adhere to wood?

Concrete does adhere to wood, though the connection is often not ideal. Many builders use wood panels as forms that concrete is poured into to create a foundation or floor. After the concrete is cured and dry, the wood is removed. Lumber mills often pretreat their wood with oil-based blends to make it stick-resistant.

How thick does a concrete floor need to be?

Standard concrete floor slab thickness in residential construction is 4 inches. Five to six inches is recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy loads, such as motor homes or garbage trucks.

What kind of plywood do you use for concrete forms?

Virtually any “Exterior” rated APA panel can be used for concrete formwork because all such panels are manufactured with moisture resistant adhesive. For concrete forming, the plywood industry produces a special product called Plyform®, which is recommended for most general forming uses.

Will mortar stick to plywood?

Whatever type of plywood you are dealing with, you need to use a rated thinset mortar that is designed to be used with wood. Most thinsets are designed to only work with a concrete or fiber board underlayment, not with wood.

Does self leveling concrete crack?

A DIY self–levelling cement job might look good for a few months, maybe even a couple years. But if it’s not done properly, eventually it can start to crack. If your floors move or bounce, that cement can crack, too.

Does self leveling concrete work?

Takeaways for a Successful Self–Leveling Pour



Whenever you need to repair, level or raise a floor, self–leveling concrete can be a fast, cost-effective solution. Self–leveling concrete can be used as an underlayment for tile, carpet, or other floor coverings.

How long does it take for self leveling concrete to dry?

The easiest way to check this time would be to look at the installation instructions that accompanied the self-leveling compound. On average, you might have to wait anywhere from one to six hours for the compound to cure. You must give it ample time to dry completely so that it lays flat and remains strong.