Subfloor For Hardwood On 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.

Subfloor for hardwood on concrete.

As with a floated subfloor nwfa recommends a vapor retarder for glue down subfloors when installing wood flooring over concrete. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. How to install a glued subfloor over concrete. Check your flooring manufacturer s recommendations to ensure you re using a proper subfloor.

Check for cracks and crumbling. For nail down wood subfloors installed on grade and below grade add a moisture control system below the subfloor material. 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. The concrete subfloor must be sufficiently strong to safely support the flooring furniture and people in the room.

For more on concrete subfloors see how to get a concrete subfloor ready for wood floors in the february march 2003 issue in new construction the slab should be given at least. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. Laminate planks snap together and float above a subfloor which means tiny subfloor imperfections are okay although again a level subfloor will help prevent damage. This is a popular subflooring option in the southern states and in areas where homes do not have basements.

Laminate is a budget friendly attractive alternative to hardwood flooring. If you have a subfloor that consists of wood on top of concrete you ll need to test both floors. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab. Concrete is a porous material and can retain moisture and emit moisture vapor which could end up in the wood floor above unless the proper precautions are taken.

To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots. Use a minimum 3 4 23 32 18 3 mm 4 x 8 subfloor panels. Use a 6 staple pattern at the perimeter of the subfloor. Get a comprehensive breakdown on which materials to use what to take into consideration and what steps to take for four subfloor systems.