Subfloor For Hardwood On Concrete

Check for cracks and crumbling.

Subfloor for hardwood on concrete.

To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots. This is a popular subflooring option in the southern states and in areas where homes do not have basements. 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. Use a 6 staple pattern at the perimeter of the subfloor.

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. Laminate is a budget friendly attractive alternative to hardwood flooring. Get a comprehensive breakdown on which materials to use what to take into consideration and what steps to take for four subfloor systems. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter.

Check your flooring manufacturer s recommendations to ensure you re using a proper subfloor. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab. For nail down wood subfloors installed on grade and below grade add a moisture control system below the subfloor material. As with a floated subfloor nwfa recommends a vapor retarder for glue down subfloors when installing wood flooring over concrete.

Use a moisture vapor retarder between the subflooring and the hardwood flooring to prevent moisture from leaching through the joists and subfloor to negatively affect the hardwood above. How to install a glued subfloor over concrete. 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. If you have a subfloor that consists of wood on top of concrete you ll need to test both floors.

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. Use a minimum 3 4 23 32 18 3 mm 4 x 8 subfloor panels. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. Fasteners may be powder driven pins pneumatic driven nails screws deformed pins or other fasteners suitable for concrete application.