Installing Engineered Hardwood On Cement

Even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still enjoy the beauty and charm of hardwood floors.

Installing engineered hardwood on cement.

The planks glue together to create a floor that floats moves freely as a unit. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. Plywood is a popular choice as it can be nailed into place along the edges. Then connect the pieces carefully folding and tapping the new piece to rest on the subfloor.

Only spread the adhesive over small areas ahead of you at any given time. It s also a great option if you choose to incorporate a radiant heat system don t forget the vapor. Consult the product data sheet for instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood but is perfect for basements and other areas where moisture can be an issue.

You can use foam wood cement board or another hard thin layer for the underlayment. Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab. Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet which provides cushioning and sound dampening.

When installing floating engineered hardwood on a concrete floor it s best to do so on top of an underlayment. Apply wood glue to the tongue and groove seams. If you were to install the floor by using all the planks from one box before opening the next you run the risk of installing the floor with large mismatched patches of flooring. Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home.

Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs. Pass the trowel through the glue at a 45 degree. Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. Note that some engineered hardwood flooring products have a click lock design.

Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces. Immediately wipe up any glue that squeezes through the boards. Pass the trowel through the glue at a 45. You need to leave a 5 16 inch gap between the flooring and the baseboard or wall around the perimeter of the room to allow the floor enough space to expand.

You don t want the adhesive drying before you can get to that area. The adhesive manufacturer should have instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive. When installing additional rows work from left to right.