Subfloor For Hardwood On Concrete

This is a popular subflooring option in the southern states and in areas where homes do not have basements.

Subfloor for hardwood on concrete.

Use a minimum 3 4 23 32 18 3 mm 4 x 8 subfloor panels. 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. If you have a subfloor that consists of wood on top of concrete you ll need to test both floors. How to install a glued subfloor over concrete.

For nail down wood subfloors installed on grade and below grade add a moisture control system below the subfloor material. Inspect the moisture level check the moisture level of the subflooring using a moisture meter. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab. Use a 6 staple pattern at the perimeter of the subfloor.

The concrete subfloor must be sufficiently strong to safely support the flooring furniture and people in the room. Fasteners may be powder driven pins pneumatic driven nails screws deformed pins or other fasteners suitable for concrete application. Check for cracks and crumbling. To level a subfloor for installing laminate follow the directions above to remove high and low spots.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Check your flooring manufacturer s recommendations to ensure you re using a proper subfloor. Get a comprehensive breakdown on which materials to use what to take into consideration and what steps to take for four subfloor systems. As with a floated subfloor nwfa recommends a vapor retarder for glue down subfloors when installing wood flooring over concrete. A floating floor laminate or locking hardwood shouldn t be installed over a wood subfloor that s adhered to a concrete slab.