Installing wood plank flooring over concrete

Once the barrier is applied, you do not want to step on it. Finally, let the moisture barrier set for 24 hours. Some areas are more humid than others and will require more time to dry. In this case, check back every four hours or so. Depending on the type of flooring you chose, your method for completing the next part will be different. Do this in one of two ways:. The edges of each board click into place with the boards around it, creating a solid floor.

The foam will help if you want a cushion between the boards and the concrete, which can help muffle sound and create a more pleasant walking experience, depending on your preference. Just like when you apply the moisture barrier, start at the back of the room and work towards the door. Instead, work in small sections. Let the adhesive dry for 24 hours after you install the flooring. You will also want to leave a small half-inch gap between the flooring and wall.

Reinstall your baseboards and trim , then clean up the room. Contact Us. Sign In My Account. You can install solid and engineered hardwood flooring over a concrete subfloor using one of three methods: Glue down engineered hardwood flooring to concrete slab above and below grade.

Engineered flooring is radiant heat compatible. Best method for above ground condominiums and apartments. Does not raise the overall height of the floor. Requires moisture-control barrier under treated plywood. First Name. Last Name. Email Address. Sign Up. Quick View. Solid Peruvian Teak - Nazca. Solid Peruvian Teak - Amazon. Solid Brazilian Cherry - Walnut. Solid Brazilian Teak - Natural. Solid Brazilian Oak - Burgundy. Wood floors should not be subjected to very wet conditions. Before delivery to the site, the building should be closed-in with outside windows and doors in place.

All concrete, masonry and sheet-rock should be completely dry. In warm weather, the building should be wellventilated.

In winter, heating should be maintained near occupancy levels at least five days before the flooring is delivered and maintained from that point on. Dry Slab Concrete slabs, whether new or existing, must be dry before the subfloor is installed. For best results, several areas of each room should be tested for excess moisture. If tests indicate too much moisture is in the slab, do not install hardwood floors. A new moist slab should be allowed to dry naturally or the process can be hastened with heat and ventilation.

Slabs less than 60 days old are generally too wet to install floors. Test for Dryness New concrete is heavy with moisture, and it must be a minimum of 30 days old before moisture testing begins.

Determining moisture content of both the wood flooring and the subfloor is an important part of quality control in the flooring installation process. Detailed qualitative and quantitative testing methods are provided by the National Wood Flooring Association. Flat, Clean Slab The slab must be flat with a trowel finish, free of grease, oil, stains and dust.

Grind off any high spots and fill any low spots. Vapor Retarder With solid hardwood floors, a proper vapor retarder must be installed on top of the slab to make sure normal slab moisture does not reach the finished floor. Layers of asphalt felt with asphalt mastic or 6 mil polyethylene sheathing are some of the choices. Subfloors The National Wood Flooring Association recommends two choices in sub-flooring systems for concrete installations: plywood-on-slab and sleeper.

Either subfloor system is satisfactory for three-quarter inch flooring. Asphalt felt or building paper: first, prime the slab and apply cold, cut-back asphalt mastic with a notched trowel 50 sq. Allow to set for two hours. Unroll lb. Over this, apply a second similar coating of mastic and roll out a second layer of asphalt or paper in the same direction as the first, staggering the overlaps to achieve an even thickness. Polyethylene: Cover the entire slab with 4 to 6 mil polyethylene film, overlapping the edges 4" to 6", and allowing enough film to extend under the baseboard on all sides.