Installing A Hardwood Floor Over A Concrete Slab

Deciding factors before installing hardwood flooring over concrete.

Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab.

When a concrete slab absorbs moisture it can retain it for a surprisingly long time. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab. Get a comprehensive breakdown on which materials to use what to take into consideration and what steps to take for four subfloor systems. Proper planning will save money time and minimize mistakes.

Lay the 1x4s perpendicular to the direction you intend to install the floor planks. If you want to install a new floor but currently have a concrete slab for flooring you might be wondering whether it s possible to install a hardwood floor. Fortunately a variety of flooring materials are water resistant enough to function well over a concrete slab. Cost skill level start to finish 2 days.

Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. You simply nail the boards with a flooring nailer. Fortunately even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still choose to put in new hardwood flooring. Using a professional installer will ensure that the job is done correctly.

Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage. Once you ve made up your mind about installing a hardwood floor over your concrete slab you need to put some thought into it. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. 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.

Alternatively screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in. It s best to use shorter cleats than you would for a wood floor to ensure they sink in all the way. Installing hardwood flooring on a plywood covered slab is identical to installing it on a wood subfloor. Installing the wrong kind of flooring over consistently damp concrete may encourage warping and wear over time.

Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete. Installing hardwood on concrete is not a do it yourself project.