For starters while you can consider solid hardwood for at and above grade installations only engineered flooring with its plywoodlike construction is suitable below grade.
Can you install solid hardwood floors on concrete.
December 17 2018 macwoods.
Hardwood type there is no way to install standard 3 4 hardwood on concrete.
While you can glue directly to the subfloor with a urethane based hardwood floor adhesive or use plywood and screw the plywood directly into the concrete via a screw such as tapcons.
Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage.
If you have a concrete then you have choices to make 1.
Installing hardwood flooring over concrete hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean.
When it comes to installing a floating solid hardwood floor in your basement easiklip should be your first choice.
This will result in buckling.
You don t want to try and glue it down either.
You can install either an engineered hardwood floor this is real hardwood done in layers or a laminate floor this is fake floor that looks like hardwood on top of cement.
This is one of the most common approaches i have seen to install a solid plank hardwood floor over concrete.
Most manufacturers advise against installing hardwood flooring over concrete for two reasons moisture levels in concrete and the difficulty of attaching directly to concrete.
Solid hardwood floors are suitable for installing both at ground level and above ground level assuming the concrete is dry and that the right subfloor and vapor retarders are used.
Laminate will cost less.
Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home.
It s essential to choose the best option from the available types of floors for your hardwood installation on a concrete slab.
Whether you re planning on renting out your home or looking to increase its value using concrete as a base is a great idea.
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.
Follow these steps with care to safely complete the installation yourself.