Made from layers of real wood compressed together engineered hardwood floors are better able to handle changes in moisture and humidity than solid hardwood.
How to install engineered wood flooring on cement floor.
If you love solid wood floors and your home rests on a concrete slab you re not out of luck.
Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape.
Follow the flooring manufacturer s guidelines for best practices on securing nailing or stapling the engineered wood to the subfloor tighten using a mallet and wood tapping blocks.
Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood but is perfect for basements and other areas where moisture can be an issue.
Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home.
Glue nail staple and float.
If you ve decided to install engineered hardwoods there are four possible installation methods depending on the subfloor.
When installing floating engineered hardwood on a concrete floor it s best to do so on top of an underlayment.
Wood floor over concrete details lay a plastic moisture barrier and then screw 3 4 in.
For starters while you can consider solid hardwood for at and above grade installations only engineered flooring with its plywoodlike construction is suitable below.
Installing engineered wood flooring is a great project for the diyer who desires the look of a professional wood floor with the strength and longevity offered by its sturdy design.
Underlayment is a hard thin hard layer of foam wood or cement board.
Recoating refinishing recoating refinishing.
This will prevent the flooring from moving and also eliminate a crunching sound as you walk on the floor.
Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab.
The fact that your home is built on a concrete slabs does not preclude installing hardwood floors but several considerations apply not least of which is subfloor preparation.
Watch this video to see how easy it is.
Wood planks to the plywood.
It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected.
These articles offer help for products from newer floors to historic homes.
Install the baseboard and trim products last.
This old house general contractor tom silva shows how to install a beautiful wood floor in just less than one day.
From straight lay strip to parquet herringbone and more these articles offer the 411 on wood floor installation.
Recoating and refinishing are some of the trickiest parts of the wood floor business.
Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier.