Installing Floating Engineered Wood Floors On Concrete

Considering new hardwood floors.

Installing floating engineered wood floors on concrete.

Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor step 1. Your very first step before installing engineered hardwood floors over concrete is to let the boards acclimate to the room where they re going to be installed. If your subfloor is concrete cover it with a wood or engineered wood subfloor first. You should install a floating engineered hardwood when you need flexibility.

Next check the boards for warpage or defects and then remove any bad ones. Engineered wood floors are easy to install and resistant to moisture making them a great alternative to traditional hardwood floors. For one there s less insulation. Trim the door casings photo by kolin smith.

Laying down your floating flooring directly onto concrete is a no no. Boards adhere well to the rough surface of the concrete subfloor and therefore lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling. Check the manufacturer s recommendations but in most cases it s a minimum of three days with no maximum. Gauge the height of the cut by laying down a piece of foam underlayment and a piece of flooring upside down so the saw won t scratch the finish.

Use a flush cut dovetail saw to trim the bottom of the casing at all doorways so that the flooring will slide underneath. Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage. Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces. Then the engineered wood planks can be laid into the adhesive and locked together at their tongue and groove joints.

For instance you might be required to roll and cross the floor with a 100 150 lb. You ll learn what tools you. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. How to install floating floor 1.

Roller after installation to ensure proper adhesive transfer. Install the first row install the first row using wood glue on all plank ends arranged with the tongue facing the center of the room. Also the possibility of dampness however small is greater when there are fewer membranes between your concrete foundation and your floating floor. Be sure to follow the manufacturer s instructions after installing engineered flooring over concrete.

Traffic should also be restricted for up to 24 hours after completing the installation to allow drying. Hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean. Watch as jack explains what s involved in floating installation of engineered hardwood flooring. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete.

The adhesive manufacturer should have instructions regarding specific trowel requirements.