install hardwood floor?

Question

i need to know that can i install hard wood clue down to the concrete floor with out install plywood and witch is the best way to install hard wood floor on concrete thanks you

Answer 1

Hi you can find a full guide how to install wood floors on concrete or any other sub-flooring here

http://www.floorsincalifornia.com/california_hardwood_sales/install_guide_1.html
here is a guide how to refinish them step for step
http://www.floorsincalifornia.com/Hardwood_Sales_Install/refinish_guide_1.html
make sure you let the wood floors in the work site sit for at lest 3 days

good luck!

Answer 2

One problem that you should be aware of is the flatness of your concrete floor. Second is that you will need to put down a "backing" down on the floor first.These are usually available for purchase at the same place as the flooring. It should come in a roll that you just roll out on the floor and can cut with a pair of scissors or box cutter. This allows the hardwood floor some "cushion" so it doesn't crack when weight is on it when there are slight variations on the flatness of the existing floor. Most sales staff are also good for "brain Picking and the flooring "kits" they sell today are fairly easy to install and can help you get the concept of why there are needs for an appropriate backing used before the actual wood floor is installed. Have fun.

Answer 3

You mention wishing to lay the planking, over concrete, without plywood, and I have to guess at why, because the question doesn't include the detail.

Some building codes restrict the use of untreated wood flooring below grade, so if your concrete slab is such, you may want to check this first.

Whether or not the slab is below grade, you will want a moisture barrier between the new wood flooring and the concrete under it. You will also need a sub-floor of some type onto which the planking is nailed (or, in certain circumstances, screwed), be it plywood or furring strips, and you have a choice to make in method of affixing the strips to the concrete: special-purpose adhesive or power-assisted nailing. You don't want to glue the finish flooring without using the proper nails or screws, because even the most dimensionally stable woods won't hold the tight fit between pieces that give you the appearance you want without them, and that requires something to nail into.

I'm thinking that your desire do lay the planking without a sub-floor has to do with the height of an adjacent floor that you would like to match, but in truth, the job won't be satisfactory if you try to cut that corner. If the floor height is, in fact, the issue, consider using a bevelled threshold; you will be much happier with the work in the long run.

If furring strips are to be set directly on concrete, they must be treated (non-rotting). If the slab is cold, by all means consider adding insulation between the strips. (You could get very fancy with it and run heated pipes under the floor, too, but that's another design challenge altogether.)

Good luck with this; this is a rather labor-intensive job, but nothing looks better when it's done.

Answer 4

Yes hardwood can be glued down without plywood down first. In fact plywood would absorb more moisture than the hardwood planks ever would. Use a top quality glue like Bostik its expensive but you be problem free. When dry Bostick becomes water resistant and very strong with elasticity that will allow for minor movement in the concrete due to temp and humidity changes. Some engineered hardwood allows you to install either glue direct to floor or glue tounge and groove only and go over a thin water resistant pad similar to laminate floors. Good luck.

Answer 5

Contrary to some other answers. Hardwood floors can be glued directly to concrete and are very durable when used in the right application. . Here is the dry west most homes are built on a slab foundation and have very few moisture issues. It does depend on where you live and the moisture conditions. You should do a moisture test on the concrete before you install. A plywood sub-floor will not correct a moisture problem, you need a vapor barrier and a floating floor would be more appropriate. Basements and below grade applications a glue down floor is probably going to have problems.

Answer 6

I think the responses you are getting are discrepent because there is a difference between solid hardwood floors and engineered hardwood floors. Which are you referring to? I think you can find a description of both at lumberliquidators.com.

Also, from what I've read, you'll need to think about where your concrete is. If it is "at grade" or "below grade" (i.e., level with or below the ground), you should not install solid hardwood flooring because the damp/humidity will cause it to warp. (You can put in engineered hardwood, just not solid.) I'm not sure if that same warning would apply to applying wood to concrete, but I would certainly want to find out before installing the wood if I were you.

Good luck!

Answer 7

If you glue hardwood to concrete you will have cracks after a few years.
you can float a laminate or wood product on top of it, as long as you put a plastic vapor barrier between the wood and concrete.

The best thing to do would be to glue a subfloor on top of the concrete, and then nail the hardwood on top of that.

I have just seen that there is 3/4 real hardwood that snaps together like pergo available, and this would be perfect for you

Answer 8

Most of the above answers are wrong. Real engineered hardwood can be glued direct to the concrete. You must follow the directions that the manufacture says. This is for hardwood, not the cheap plastic laminate. Look for hardwood approved for below grade installation.

Answer 9

You REALLY need to get the old carpet up and put down a stable underlay before installing a hardwood floor. You will be setting yourself up to replace the new *buckled* hardwood floor in a year or less. You wouldn't lay new carpet over old carpet would you?

Answer 10

Yes, hardwood floors can be installed over concrete. Follow the flooring manufacturers directions for installation as each brand is different.