Installing Engineered Hardwood On Cement

Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab.

Installing engineered hardwood on cement.

Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. Even if your home was built on a concrete slab you can still enjoy the beauty and charm of hardwood floors. Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade.

Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood but is perfect for basements and other areas where moisture can be an issue. Consult the product data sheet for instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. Immediately wipe up any glue that squeezes through the boards. A concern with engineered flooring however is that the colors may be quite uniform within an entire box but have distinct tonal differences from one box to the next.

Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. You don t want the adhesive drying before you can get to that area. 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. Experienced professionals pay close attention to managing moisture and minimizing wood floor expansion and contraction when preparing to install hardwood floors on concrete slabs.

Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces. Pass the trowel through the glue at a 45 degree. Note that some engineered hardwood flooring products have a click lock design. When installing additional rows work from left to right.

When installing floating engineered hardwood on a concrete floor it s best to do so on top of an underlayment. The adhesive manufacturer should have instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. 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. Apply wood glue to the tongue and groove seams.

Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. Then connect the pieces carefully folding and tapping the new piece to rest on the subfloor. The planks glue together to create a floor that floats moves freely as a unit. Pass the trowel through the glue at a 45.

Plywood is a popular choice as it can be nailed into place along the edges. You can use foam wood cement board or another hard thin layer for the underlayment. It s also a great option if you choose to incorporate a radiant heat system don t forget the vapor. Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet which provides cushioning and sound dampening.