How To Install 3 4 Inch Hardwood Flooring On Concrete

Learn how to install solid hardwood flooring with a few simple tools.

How to install 3 4 inch hardwood flooring on concrete. We first ran this article in 2010. Tap 1 4 inch shims in between the edges of the floor and the wall to leave room for expansion image 3. Each subfloor has separate installation guidelines. It provides detailed instructions for installing hardwood flooring over a wood substructure.

1 x 6 or larger or sleepers 2 x 4 inch. Like unfinished hardwood floors the prefinished types typically have tongue and groove edges on all sides. They are available in 3 4 inch thickness as well as low profile styles that are 5 16 to 5 8 inch thick which are a good or installing over existing flooring. When installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect.

It chronicles tutorials for each step of the process derived from our installation of 3 4 inch solid tongue and groove brazilian walnut hardwoods in our own home. Use a minimum 3 4 inch cd exposure 1 plywood sheathing 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. Begin by cutting sheets to 16 inches by 8 feet or smaller panels marked 3 8 of an inch deep on back and a minimum of every 12 inches across in width. Place 16 inch planks perpendicular or diagonal to direction of flooring.

Lay 3 4 inch exterior grade plywood over the moisture barrier leaving a 3 4 inch space at the walls and 1 8 inch between panels and affix the plywood to the subfloor. Most 3 4 inch solid hardwood flooring can be installed using nails or staples over an approved subfloor. Stack flooring log cabin style or just spread it around the room but not directly on concrete. Subfloor and the hardwood flooring must not exceed 4.

You need to fill any large cracks and be sure that the entire floor is level. Hardwood floors are durable beautiful and a great diy project. At the bottom we provide links to posts on the tools we use and frequently recommend for hardwood. Old basement slabs can crack and buckle in places.

If you choose the floating plywood method lay down two layers of 3 8 1 2 or 5 8 inch plywood orienting the sheets in the upper layer perpendicular to those in the lower. Let adhesive dry for 24 hours. Use a damp cloth to clean off adhesive from surfaces. For hardwood products greater than 3 wide the moisture content.

Solid wood floors should not be installed in basements or below grade.