Can You Install Real Hardwood On Concrete

The fact that your home is built on a concrete slabs does not preclude installing hardwood floors but several considerations apply not least of which is subfloor preparation.

Can you install real hardwood on concrete.

Hardwood type there is no way to install standard 3 4 hardwood on concrete. Laminate will cost less. You ll first have to install 3 4 in. Wood floor over concrete than over a wood subfloor.

Your concrete floor or slab must be flat when installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. Since humidity causes natural wood to expand and contract your flooring won t be able to move. Engineered hardwood will improve the value of your home. You don t want to try and glue it down either.

Most flooring manufacturers say you should not install hardwood over concrete if the tests show the moisture emission rate is over 3 pounds. This will result in buckling. 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. Whether you re planning on renting out your home or looking to increase its value using concrete as a base is a great idea.

If you love solid wood floors and your home rests on a concrete slab you re not out of luck. When you install hardwood floors concrete is one of the best bases to work from there are only a few steps to take. Read manufacturer s directions before installation to maintain warranty coverage. 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.

Before installing hardwood floors on a concrete slab the flooring should be acclimated to the installation site. As i wrote in the post you can go with other options such as engineered or click lock real wood flooring. Follow these steps with care to safely complete the installation yourself. Installing hardwood flooring over concrete hardwood floors are durable low maintenance and easy to clean.

This helps to ensure that the moisture difference between the flooring and the subfloor material isn t too high. Anytime you are installing real wood over concrete regardless of what thickness or material it is you will need to do some preemptive steps to ensure your wood floors will not cause any issues after they are installed.