How To Install Hardwood Floors On Concrete Using Plywood

Install the plywood after the vapor retarder is in place.

How to install hardwood floors on concrete using plywood. It will extend up the wall for about 2 to 3 inches creating a bowl where your wood floor stays dry and protected. Align the first board with the layout line with the tongue facing into the room. Place 16 inch planks perpendicular or diagonal to direction of flooring. Typically it is sheets of plastic laid on the slab and taped at the seams with waterproof tape.

Here s how to install flooring using the nail down method. Use a minimum 3 4 inch cd exposure 1 plywood sheathing 4 foot by 8 foot sheets. Watch this video to see how easy it is. Used when installing solid hardwood nail down installation is chosen due to how quickly and cost effectively it can be done.

In many homes plywood was chosen as a flooring substrate and applying concrete over plywood gives you more options for using what you already have. Over the most recent thirty years the most popular method of installing solid 3 4 hardwood on concrete was a plywood subfloor attached to the slab illustration above. Grinding and repairing a concrete floor can create concrete dust so be safe and wear a respirator a dust mask will not give you enough protection. Before installing any wood floor over concrete you ll need a moisture barrier.

If your floor is concrete use a concrete grinder for large open areas or a 4 inch or 8 inch angle grinder with a cup wheel attachment made for use on concrete. Cut plywood to fit within 1 8 near door jambs and other obstructions. Installing a hardwood floor over a concrete slab. Rather than tear out a wooden floor and installing concrete your wooden floor can be turned into a beautiful concrete floor with a concrete microtopping.