Laying Hardwood Floors On Concrete Slab

Before you prepare the concrete for hardwood flooring it must be dry.

Laying hardwood floors on concrete slab.

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. 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 choice there. You usually determine this with a meter that compares the relative humidity of the slab with the ambient humidity. These planks click together and make a strong and movement stable foundation.

Watch this video to see how easy it is. Engineered hardwood flooring is made from a high quality plywood. Cut pieces as you go. Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier.

It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected. The top layer is made from hardwood. Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape. You don t want be trapped in a corner and have to walk on the newly installed floors.

Acclimate flooring before installing hardwood floors on a concrete slab the flooring should be acclimated to the installation site. Always have an exit plan when laying out the floor. If the slab is new don t even begin moisture testing until 30 days after pouring it it probably won t be ready to be covered until 60 days after.