Install Solid Hardwood Floor Concrete

If you love solid wood floors and your home rests on a concrete slab you re not out of luck.

Install solid hardwood floor concrete.

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. If you have a concrete then you have choices to make. Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. While it s possible to glue hardwood flooring to concrete it s a messy and risky procedure and it s prone to failure.

The national wood flooring association recommends two alternative installation methods. But it s considerably more difficult to install a 3 4 in. When you install hardwood floors concrete is one of the best bases to work from there are only a few steps to take. This is one of the most common approaches i have seen to install a solid plank hardwood floor over concrete.

Plywood to the 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. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete. Follow these steps with care to safely complete the installation yourself.

Hardwood type there is no way to install standard 3 4 hardwood on concrete. This will result in buckling. Since humidity causes natural wood to expand and contract your flooring won t be able to move. Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape.

Installing plywood over the subfloor or using sleepers which are two by fours laid flat across the floor and used as nailers. Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage. Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home. You can install either an engineered hardwood floor this is real hardwood done in layers or a laminate floor this is fake floor that looks like hardwood on top of cement.

Wood planks to the plywood. It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected. Laying a solid hardwood strip floor is easier and faster if you choose a prefinished product to avoid the extra work of sanding staining and finishing. Whether you re planning on renting out your home or looking to increase its value using concrete as a base is a great idea.

You don t want to try and glue it down either. Watch this video to see how easy it is. While you can glue directly to the subfloor with a urethane based hardwood floor adhesive or use plywood and screw the plywood directly into the concrete via a screw such as tapcons. Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier.