How To Install Engineered Wood Flooring On Concrete Below Grade

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How to install engineered wood flooring on concrete below grade. For nail down wood subfloors installed on grade and below grade add a moisture control system below the subfloor material. However while engineered hardwood flooring offers increased durability that doesn t mean it can be used anywhere. Two it can be installed at any grade level including below grade. You should also keep in mind that most accepted subfloor preparation methods involve raising the height of the finished floor.

The entire flooring level is considered to be below grade where soil is present along any perimeter wall and is more than 3 above the installed wood flooring level. Installing solid hardwood flooring in a basement that is below grade generally voids the warranty so if you really want the look of hardwood there choose engineered over solid planks. While some products are designed for glue down application as is often used when installing flooring over a concrete slab this is typically a job for a contractor. Use a minimum 3 4 23 32 18 3 mm 4 x 8 subfloor panels.

It s also a great option if you choose to incorporate a radiant heat system don t forget the vapor retarder. This can mean groundwater relentlessly pressing against foundation walls and forcing its way through cracks. Installing quality hardwood flooring in basement over concrete will make that space look stunning and spectacular. Fasteners may be powder driven pins pneumatic driven nails screws deformed pins or other fasteners suitable for concrete application.

For starters while you can consider solid hardwood for at and above grade installations only engineered flooring with its plywoodlike construction is suitable below grade. A vapor retarder is always required over the concrete slab and below the subflooring material. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. Beauty concrete is ugly.

Even 1 8 inch of water is still enough to flood solid hardwood and ruin it. And three it s better than traditional plank for installing over in floor heating systems. Engineered wood flooring is a beautiful durable flooring product that offers a few different installation options. The other two popular installation methods are more diy friendly.