Laying Hardwood On Concrete Slab

Engineered hardwood flooring is made from a high quality plywood.

Laying hardwood on concrete slab.

The problem with this however is that you are running the big risk of your flooring warping or popping up from moisture. The concrete slab needs to be in the right condition before installing flooring. Puncture bubbles to release trapped air. Nail a minimum of 32 shots per 4 foot by 8 foot panel.

New slabs usually need at least two months to dry before they are suitable for hardwood installations. The top layer is made from hardwood. It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected. Also use a vapor retarder before applying underlayment.

You don t want be trapped in a corner and have to walk on the newly installed floors. If the slab is new don t even begin moisture testing until 30 days after pouring it it probably won t be ready to be covered until 60 days after. Lay 4 to 6 mil polyethylene film over the slab overlapping the edges 4 to 6. Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape.

Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. In either case roll the film flat or walk it in stepping on every square foot to ensure adhesion. Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage. It should be clean and flat with a trowel finish and no sign of any stains grease or dust.

You will need a professional service to test for dryness. How to install an engineered hardwood floor. Before you prepare the concrete for hardwood flooring it must be dry. Watch this video to see how easy it is.

Fasteners may be powder driven pins pneumatic driven nails screws deformed pins or other fasteners suitable for concrete applications. You usually determine this with a meter that compares the relative humidity of the slab with the ambient humidity. It is in wood s nature that it will expand and contract according to moisture conditions. A former method used was to glue or nail hardwood directly to the moisture barrier laid on top of the concrete slab.

Install the plywood after the vapor retarder is in place. For your areas with concrete slab engineered wood will be your best bet. These planks click together and make a strong and movement stable foundation. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete.

Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier. Lay the floor parallel to longest wall in the room.