Can Hardwood Floors Be Installed Over Concrete Slab

Laminate flooring is a good alternative to wood flooring in basements.

Can hardwood floors be installed over concrete slab.

Installing hardwood floors over concrete slab before you make any decision on flooring the first thing you need to do is contact an experienced professional. Deciding factors before installing hardwood flooring over concrete. Alternatively screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in. Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage.

However many homeowners are disappointed to discover that solid wood flooring cannot be installed on a concrete slab. Installing the wrong kind of flooring over consistently damp concrete may encourage warping and wear over time. Cost skill level start to finish 2 days. When a concrete slab absorbs moisture it can retain it for a surprisingly long time.

Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. 1 nail down requires plywood sub flloor you can t nail into concrete last i checked 2. Float this is when the hardwood is clicked into each other or glued at joints but is not attached to the floor. Proper planning will save money time and minimize mistakes.

Too much humidity is most likely to be a problem for a newly installed slab but it could also be an issue for existing slabs too. Lay 6 mil polyethylene sheeting over the concrete to minimize moisture migration from the concrete up into the wood flooring. The slab can be tested to check the moisture levels and determine whether there is too much moisture to install the subfloor. The floor is secured via the base molding around the edges.

Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. Installing hardwood on concrete is not a do it yourself project. Once you ve made up your mind about installing a hardwood floor over your concrete slab you need to put some thought into it. Many types of flooring can be installed over a concrete sub floor.

Solid hardwood can not be glued except for bamboo 3. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete. The fact that your home is built on a concrete slabs does not preclude installing hardwood floors but several considerations apply not least of which is subfloor preparation. Before you run out and order a hardwood floor there are several items you need know.

Glue down engineered hardwoods can be glued note. For starters while you can consider solid hardwood for at and above grade installations only engineered flooring with its plywoodlike construction is suitable below. Fortunately a variety of flooring materials are water resistant enough to function well over a concrete slab. Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs.