The glue-down method has superior stability. The engineered hardwood feels and sounds more secure if you jiggle down your floor. Even if the floor is only a few inches thick, you can glue it down.
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What goes under engineered hardwood on concrete?
Glue down as an installation method for engineered wood floors, as the name suggests, involves using a bonding agent, adhesive or glue that you put directly on to your concrete subfloor. You can use any type of adhesive, but the most common are polyurethane (PU) and polyethylene (PEX). PEX are both water-soluble, so they can be applied directly to the concrete surface.
If you are unsure about the thickness of your floor, you can measure it with a caliper and use that as a guide. For example, if you have a 1/2-inch-thick concrete floor that is 1-1/4 inches deep, then you will need to use a 3/8-in.-diameter hole punch to punch a hole in the bottom of the floor to allow the adhesive to stick to it.
Can you lay engineered hardwood over concrete?
Engineered hardwood can be installed on concrete using the glue-down installation method. Clipper can be used to glue wood. You must follow the instructions given by the manufacturer before installing any flooring.
Should I glue or nail engineered hardwood?
If you have a concrete subfloor, then you should glue your hardwood down, if you have a wooden subfloor, then you can choose either method of installation. If you are going to fit your hardwood floor to a joist, then you will need to nail it to the wall.
Can I float engineered wood over concrete?
If your subfloor is below grade, a floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete is a good choice. If you install a radiant heat system into your home, it will be a great option. Determine the grade of your concrete floor. If you’re installing a floor on a concrete slab, you’ll need to determine the level of the slab.
The slab level is the lowest point on the concrete surface. For example, if a slab is 1/2″ thick, it would be at the bottom of a 1-1/4″ deep concrete basement. Measure and mark the location for your floating floor installation.
You’ll want to mark this location with a pencil or marker, but you can also use a piece of tape or a ruler to help you mark your location. Measure the distance from the center of one edge to the other edge and divide that distance in half. Repeat this measurement for all four edges and then divide the total distance by four.
Do I need a vapor barrier between concrete and wood flooring?
It is possible to destroy hardwood floors. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.
The best way to prevent water from penetrating the floor is to lay down a layer of foam. If you’re not sure what type of floor you have, check the manufacturer’s website to see if it has a warranty. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to replace it.
What is the best underlayment for engineered hardwood floors?
The best way to install hardwood or engineered wood flooring is with cork and foam. We do not recommend foam for all applications because it has more give than cork. Cork is a natural material that has been used for thousands of years. It is strong, durable, and easy to work with.
Can you float a hardwood floor over concrete?
Installation of a floating floor is the fastest way to get new wood. The floating floor isn’t nailed down. The plank is either snapped or Glued together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material—concrete, plywood, sheet metal, and so on.
Floating floors can be installed in a variety of ways, but the most common method is by drilling a hole in the bottom of the floor and attaching it to the wall with screws or nails. If you want to go the more traditional route, you’ll need to drill two holes, one at the top and one below the joist.
Then you can attach the two pieces of flooring to each other using screws, nails, or a combination of both. You can also use screws and nails to attach a floor to a wall, which is a great option if you don’t have a lot of space to work with.
