Installing Hardwood Floors Over Concrete Home Tips

Put the first board up against the mason s line with the groove side facing away from the walls.

Installing hardwood floors over concrete home tips.

Store hardwood flooring in the room so it can acclimate to the room s humidity. This comes in a roll that you can unroll over the floor. Engineered wood flooring can be installed below grade. It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected.

Tap 1 4 inch shims in between the edges of the floor and the wall to leave room for expansion image 3. Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs. The following is a guide to help alleviate any concerns or worries about installing hardwood floors over concrete. Watch this video to see how easy it is.

Condition of slab type of concrete location of slab flatness and moisture. Read on for in depth details on these five key areas. Put one 1 2 inch spacer against each wall and slide the end of the board up. When you are installing a moisture barrier you want to make sure that there are no gaps and that the entire floor is covered.

Before you can install over a concrete subfloor you are going to need to put in a moisture barrier. Stagger end joints from row to row. The slab should be at least 60 days old dry flat have a trowel finish and be free of high or low spots. Installing solid hardwood flooring in a basement that is below grade generally voids the warranty so if you really want the look of hardwood there choose engineered over solid planks.

Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home. If you have a concrete then you have choices to make 1. Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier. Use a tapping block to click pieces together image 1.

Solid wood flooring should only be installed over an above grade concrete slab. When the adhesive requires add a moisture control system before applying the adhesive. Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still enjoy the beauty and charm of hardwood floors. Tape seams together with painter s tape image 2.

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. The secret behind a successful install over concrete is to focus on five key areas. Laminate will cost less.