Cons: Professional installation recommended, can be messy for inexperienced installers and adhesive can be expensive. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for the proper acclimation procedure and timeline as these may differ from one engineered flooring brand to the next. AdhesivesBefore applying adhesives, you must fill in any voids or deflections in the slab with a cementitious patch or a self-leveling underlayment that is compatible with the wood flooring adhesives. Glueless Click Installation Over Radiant Heated Sub-floors: Some species of engineered wood are approved for floating installation over radiant heat (e.g. Jatoba). Be advised: using the wrong adhesive or applying incorrect amounts can lead to a failed flooring installation. Tony Morgan is a senior technician for Wagner Meters, where he serves on a team for product testing, development, and also customer service and training for moisture measurement products. Along with 19 years of field experience for several electronics companies, Tony holds a BA in Management and has an AAS in Electronics Technology. The most common method is gluing. Slab PreparationSlab preparation is critical for glue-down and includes sanding, scraping, leveling, and filling low spots because the slab must be flat so the planks can fit correctly. Don’t let the term “engineered” give you the wrong impression. This article, however, focuses only on the glue-down application. Lay the flooring into the adhesive with the tongue side of the board facing the center of the room. In our region of the country, installing over concrete slabs is something we do every day, no matter what kind of wood floor we're putting down. It’s important to follow the manufacturers’ guidelines for the proper acclimation procedure and timeline as these may differ from one engineered flooring brand to the next. Most people can install this type of hardwood flooring as long as they are willing to do a little bit of work. If you continue using our site you consent to our cookies. Concrete Moisture Measurement Is CriticalAnother thing to check is the moisture condition of the concrete slab. What you want is a slab with an. roller tapping block hammer Show All Materials. Laminate flooring can’t be refinished and must be replaced when it becomes too worn in order to restore the look of the floor. It can be constructed from wood, plywood, plastic or concrete. Traffic also should be restricted for up to 24 hours after completing the installation to allow drying. Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue-down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab. Other products are better-suited for a nail-down installation where they are secured to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. kitchen units or islands. Get yourself an accurate wood moisture meter and use it to ensure the wood planks and the surrounding environment are properly aligned according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Instead, the engineered wood planks are joined together with interlocking joints, creating a single, continuous layer that “floats” over the subfloor. Why Measure Moisture in Old Concrete Floor Slabs? Another thing to check is the moisture within the concrete slab. Use adhesives specially formulated for wood flooring so they conform to the natural characteristics of wood – expanding and contracting. For example, use an adhesive that contains no water – like a moisture cure urethane or modified silane. The planks glue together to create a floor that "floats" — moves freely — as a unit. Although it’s not made of solid hardwood, it doesn’t mean that engineered flooring does not provide all of the warmth, longevity, and elegance of a hardwood floor. This project focuses on installing a floating engineered floor. When it comes to water resistance, engineered wood is better equipped to handle moisture while presenting a stunning wood floor look. Engineered wooden flooring has been designed and constructed in such as way that it has added dimensional strength and stability from the base layers. Do not float engineered floors where the room dimensions exceed 6m in width. Either solid wood flooring or engineered wood flooring can be fitted onto a concrete subfloor. Create a working line- parallel to the starting wall allowing the width … The adhesive manufacturer should have instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. As an installation method, glued down is most suited for either concrete or wood subfloors. Occasionally lift a piece of flooring to make sure there’s a 100% adhesive transfer, necessary especially for adhesives that have moisture mitigating characteristics. Many tongue and groove floors can be floated over premium underlayment with … Engineered wood is less susceptible to warping, can better handle water damage. The initial row will limit the movement of subsequent rows. Your email address will not be published. Boards adhere well to the rough surface of the concrete subfloor, and therefore lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling. The glue down method of engineered wood flooring installation is typically the most common and creates a highly-stable floor. Check the manufacturer’s warranty to make sure. Traffic should also be restricted for up to 24 hours after completing the installation to allow drying. When working on a clean concrete subfloor, the glue-down method is often the go-to choice. It is often glued to concrete in a high-rise with engineered flooring glued over it, and can also be used for floating or solid flooring. When leveling (actually flattening) a slab, according to the NWFA Installation Guidelines, don’t allow more than a 3/16” difference in height within a 10′ radius or 1/8” within a 6’ radius. Solid wood flooring must be glued down directly onto the screed, and engineered wood flooring can be either glued down or floated over an underlay without being fixed into place. Excessive moisture in a slab can damage an engineered wood floor and cause the plies to separate. engineered wood flooring adhesive Show All. InstallationExpansion gaps should be left between the flooring and wall. If you are installing a floating floor over concrete, extend the underlayment up the wall by about two inches. Step 1: Install the First Row. Moisture and Humidity Measurement Still Crucial for Engineered Flooring, Every concrete slab has moisture and will always have moisture. However, before installation is attempted over a concrete floor or a basement slab, it is important to conduct a vapor transmission test to determine whether the level of concrete slab vapor emissions (hydrostatic pressure) is acceptable. #6. You should install a floating engineered hardwood when you need flexibility. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive. Floating Installation. Additionally, engineered wood flooring may use the glue-down method as well. Built with various types of core material, engineered flooring provides a wide range of aesthetic benefits as well with the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors, textures, and wood species for the surface layer. Floating Vs Glued Down Engineered Wood Flooring. Wood flooring can also be installed utilizing the glue-down method. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Floating. Installing Laminate Flooring on Concrete Steps. Nail-down installations are covered in this article, achieved equilibrium moisture content (EMC), ASTM F2170 in-situ relative humidity (RH) test, http://www.referwork.com/costs/install_engineered_wood_floor.htm, Engineered Flooring Installation on Concrete: Best Practices for Nail-Down, What Every Flooring Installer Needs to Know about Hydrostatic Pressure, 3 Key Lessons about Moisture from an Old Concrete Floor. Acclimate Engineered FlooringRegardless of whether or not the flooring is glued, nailed, or floated, the environment needs to be aligned with the engineered wood flooring requirements before installation. The hardwood may slip and move at first, so be sure to secure one row entirely before moving on to other rows. This is something that solid wood floors typically cannot do. Engineered wood is real wood. Prepare the Room. Difficulty Level: Moderate. These products are a good choice for these installations because they increase the strength of the bonding agent and offer a degree of structural flexibility. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions after installing engineered flooring over concrete. Instead, the engineered wood … For instance, you might be required to roll and cross the floor with a 100-150 lb. 3. Before installing any flooring you must follow the instructions set forth by the flooring manufacturer. After measuring the length and width of the room, multiply those numbers together to calculate the room’s surface area, which will tell you how much Engineered Wood you’ll need. Learn how your comment data is processed. There are few other flooring varieties that will last as long as properly cared for engineered wood floors, and you can enjoy that same durability with floating wood floors when they are installed properly. And for do-it-yourselfers, the preferred method is the floating floor installation which uses no glue or nails. * … Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood, but is perfect for basements and other areas where moisture can be an issue. They also require considerably more time to trowel, which adds to the overall labor costs. NOTE: Wood adhesives recommended today are much more environmentally friendly than in the past, but they cost more. Instead, the engineered wood planks are joined together with interlocking joints, creating a single, continuous layer that “floats” over the subfloor. The manufacturer should have recommendations for how wide the expansion gaps need to be. You need to leave a 5/16-inch gap between the flooring and the baseboard or wall around the perimeter of the room to allow the floor enough space to expand. It offers a comfortable and rustic feeling. Scientific research from leading academic and industrial institutions confirms the reliability and accuracy of the ASTM F2170 RH test at these depths. To find out if your concrete floor meets the dryness criteria set by your flooring manufacturers guidelines, remember this mnemonic: “If you wanna know, go below.” Scientific testing has determined that measuring moisture conditions within a concrete slab yields more valuable data than only measuring the moisture evaporation emission rate (MVER) at the surface[BM1] [LL2] [LL3] of the slab. Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion, and may cause a failure. Float, Glue and Nail installation are three main methods used for installing this type of floor. Less chance of squeaking or clicking due to boards coming into contact with the subfloor with every step, Enables use of flush-mount transition moldings. To find out if your concrete floor meets the dryness criteria set by your flooring and adhesive manufacturers’ instructions, remember this mnemonic: “If you wanna know, go below.” Scientific testing has determined that measuring the relative humidity (RH) conditions within a concrete slab yields more valuable data than only measuring the moisture evaporation emission rate (MVER) at the surface of the slab. However, some people prefer to add another thin layer of subflooring between the concrete and vinyl. Required fields are marked *. Although it’s not made of solid hardwood, it doesn’t mean that engineered flooring does not provide all of the warmth, longevity, and elegance of a hardwood floor. Floating snap-together flooring is available as engineered flooring, which has a veneer of natural wood on top; or as laminate flooring, which has a hard plastic surface that has been convincingly printed to look like natural wood. To measure the moisture inside the concrete, you will want to conduct a test known as the ASTM F2170 in-situ RH test. Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue-down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab. How to Install Glue-Down Engineered Wood Flooring on Concrete. Affordable: in Management and his AAS in Electronics Technology. The hardwood may slip and move at first, so be sure to secure one row entirely before moving on to other rows. Lay the flooring into the adhesive with the tongue side of the board facing the center of the room (or as otherwise recommended by the flooring manufacturer). Other products are better suited for a nail-down installation where they are secured to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. Natural hardwood flooring offers undeniable beauty and durability. Construction Spending Rose 1.3% in October, NWFA Real Answers Podcast – Planning for the Future & Managing Customer Expectations, AHF Products Announces Expansion of Somerset, KY Engineered Wood Floor Facility, Oregon Lumber Seeking Outside Sales Rep: Pacific Northwest, Hand Scraped Floors: How to Texture a Floor (Part One), Installing Inlays into a Floor Without Jigs (Part Three), Hartco Introduces Timber Brushed Hardwood Collection. For do-it-yourselfers, the preferred method is the floating floor installation, which uses no glue or nails. Required fields are marked *. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Laying engineered wood flooring on concrete. And in your blog the way you explain about the floating type vs glue down wood flooring are really helpful to others. Your email address will not be published. NOTE: Wood adhesives recommended today are much more environmentally friendly than in the past, but they cost more. First, the concrete is sealed with a sealant to block moisture. We recommend using an acrylic or urethane wood adhesive, such as Bostik Pro-Cure or East Bay Clipper . This article, however, focuses only on the glue-down application. This is an especially popular method for solid parquet flooring installations on concrete sub-floors. Instead, the engineered wood planks are joined together with interlocking joints, creating a single, continuous layer that floats over the subfloor. If you are still debating whether to install your engineered wood flooring using the glue-down method, consider these points: How to Install Nail-Down Engineered Wood Flooring. Cost $ $ $ Skill Level Start to Finish 2 Days. For more information, visit Excessive moisture in a slab can damage any wood floor. This additional layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring warmer and less resonant. The installation process of floating type wood flooring is less price than the glue type wood flooring. Most concrete subfloor consists of a sand and cement screed mixture. A T&G (tongue and groove) engineered floor can be installed by nailing it to a timber sub-floor using a flooring nailer, sticking it to a concrete floor using wood to concrete glue, or installed on an underlay and the edges glued using a quality wood PVA wood glue. Your email address will not be published. Glued down means using a bonding agent, adhesive or glue which is put directly onto the subfloor before laying any of your engineered wood flooring. Here are the basics of how to install floating hardwood floors over concrete. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive. Engineered hardwood is sturdier than traditional plank – but surface preparation still matters. Tony Morgan is a senior technician for Wagner Meters, where he serves on a team for product testing, development, and customer service and training for moisture measurement products. 5. For any flooring installation over concrete, you should anticipate potential problems with moisture levels. Along with 19 years field experience for a number of electronics companies, Tony holds a B.A. Installing Engineered wood flooring is a great project for the DIYer who desires the look of a professional wood floor with the strength and longevity offered by its sturdy design. Most of the articles you’ll find online will recommend installing a floating floor made of engineered wood. Before installing a floating engineered hardwood floor, follow the same preparation steps mentioned above, including underlayment and laying out spacers to maintain the expansion gap specified by the manufacturer. Before applying adhesives, you must fill in any voids or deflections in the slab with a cementitious patch or a self-leveling underlayment. But to answer a common question: Yes, it can still have gaps. What you want is a slab with an acceptable level of moisture for the flooring you’re installing. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. If the board is not entirely covered, remove dried adhesive and apply more. An adhesive is not intended to fill voids or deflections. For do-it-yourselfers, the preferred method is the floating floor installation, which uses no glue or nails. There are two types of wood moisture meters available; pin meters and pinless meters. Tape the seams with a polyethylene tape or duct tape. Besides the moisture already in the concrete, additional moisture can enter a slab from rainwater, poor plumbing or drainage below or at the sides of the slab, and even humidity in the air. The readings will most accurately predict the slab’s point of equilibrium and, therefore, the true moisture condition that will exist within the slab after the flooring installation. Regardless of whether or not the flooring is glued, nailed, or floated, engineered wood flooring needs to be acclimated to its environment before installation – just like solid wood flooring. http://www.referwork.com/costs/install_engineered_wood_floor.htm. These products are a good choice for these installations because they increase the strength of the bonding agent and offer a degree of structural flexibility. Scientific research from leading academic and industrial institutions confirms the reliability and accuracy of the ASTM F2170 RH test at these depths. But what if you’re set on having a solid hardwood floor in the basement? Before you start piecing these planks together, you must prepare your room and the subfloor. Gapping in engineered hardwood can be due to many factors, including (but not limited to) the material's manufacturing, changes in humidity, and the type and quality of the installation. Install Engineered Wood Floor. Built with various types of “core” material, engineered flooring provides a wide range of aesthetic benefits as well with the ability to choose from a wide variety of colors, textures, and wood species for the surface layer. That is, their elasticity ensures that the engineered wood has an ample amount of space to expand and contract without causing the glue to break its bond. But if natural wood is exposed to too much water, it can begin to warp and disrupt your floor. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. He can be reached at 800.505.1283 or visit wagnermeters.com. You don’t want the adhesive drying before you can get to that area. roller after installation to ensure proper adhesive transfer. Besides the moisture already in the concrete, additional moisture can enter a slab from rainwater, poor plumbing, or drainage below or at the sides of the slab, and even humidity in the air. Then the engineered wood planks can be laid into the adhesive and locked together at their tongue-and-groove joints. A floating installation is not secure enough for stairs, and flooring coming loose might lead to falls. The RH test uses sensors or probes to measure the RH at a specific depth within the concrete – 40% of the slab’s thickness for a slab drying from one side, or 20% for a slab drying from two sides. And for do-it-yourselfers, the preferred method is the floating floor installation which uses no glue or nails. When it comes to distinguishing between installing a floating floor vs a nail-down or glue-down type method, it is imperative that you weigh the good along with the bad before making any final decisions.One of the most obvious advantages that a floating floor has over a non-floating floor is ease of installation. This means that it can withstand the added pressure of floating (natural movement). A floating engineered hardwood is installed much like a laminate and can be floated over a variety of subfloors, including concrete, wood, tile and vinyl. For instance, you might be required to roll and cross the floor with a 100-to-150 lb. 4. Other products are better suited for a nail-down installation where they are secured to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. Copyright © 2020 Wagner Meters|Warranty|Return Policy|Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy, Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing, Become a Wagner Meters Authorized Distributor, Flooring, Millwork, Furniture and Cabinet Manufacturers, Musical Instrument Manufacturer and Luthiers, Building Restoration and Inspection Professionals, Engineered Flooring Installation on Concrete: Best Practices for Glue-Down. To measure the moisture inside the concrete, you will want to conduct a test known as the, Less chance of squeaking or “clicking” due to boards coming into contact with the subfloor with every step, Enables use of flush mount moldings to create dynamic height transitions and allow expansion space, Labor costs are higher, typically $3-5 per square foot, Adhesives can add up to $1.00 per square foot. It’s also a great option if you choose to incorporate a radiant heat system. Like any wood product, engineered hardwood expands and contracts because of changes in moisture. Once installed, engineered wood planks look the same as solid wood planks. Next is to trim it around irregular boundaries like columns and door jambs. Most flooring manufacturers require moisture tests for concrete moisture to validate their warranty requirements.Remember this: The RH test uses sensors or probes to measure the RH at a specific depth within the concrete – 40 percent of the slab’s thickness for a slab drying from one side, or 20 percent for a slab drying from two sides. When “leveling” (actually flattening) a slab, don’t allow more than 3/16” difference in height within a 10-foot radius or 1/8” within a 6-foot radius. There are two types of wood moisture meters available: pin meters and pinless meters, the latter having nondestructive electromagnetic measurement capability. Installing engineered hardwood flooring over concrete too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and may cause a failure. We recommend putting the glue into the groove and not the tongue. Installing a Floating Engineered Hardwood Floor. If you’ve got concrete stairs to cover, the laminate must be glued down using high-quality construction glue. Engineered wood flooring is recommended for quite a few locations where you would not expect to see wood flooring due to the strength of its construction, minimizing natural movement with temperature and humidity changes. In some cases, engineered wood flooring can be installed directly over concrete and even in below-grade applications. The readings will most accurately predict the slab’s point of equilibrium, and therefore the true moisture condition that will exist after the flooring installation. Not doing the right prep on a slab can result in embarrassing problems, such as floating floors with so much deflection that the lamp on the end table shakes back and forth when someone walks by. For example, use an adhesive that contains no water — like a moisture cure urethane or modified silane adhesive. Use elastomeric adhesives specially formulated for wood flooring so they conform to the natural characteristics of wood – expanding and contracting. Most hardwood flooring companies won’t honor the warranty if you install their flooring in the basement. Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces. Get yourself an accurate wood moisture meter and use it to ensure the wood planks have properly acclimated according to manufacturer’s specifications and have achieved equilibrium moisture content (EMC) with the surrounding ambient conditions. Cork underlayment is available in either rolls or sheets, and, like foam, is installed with butt ends at the edges in a tight fit, with seams taped to prevent sound migration. The latter being chosen more often for their non-destructive electromagnetic measurement capability. Engineered wood owes its water resistance to its unique structure. Expansion gaps should be left between the flooring and wall. If you are still debating whether to install your engineered wood flooring using the glue-down method, consider these points: Coming Soon: Nail-Down InstallationsNext, we’ll present the second article in our series on engineered flooring installation on concrete – best practices for nail-down installations. As the natural wood it is good and also easier to install and maintain. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. No vapor barrier or padding should be used. We use cookies to personalize your shopping data and ads. The manufacturer should have recommendations for how wide the expansion gaps need to be. If you’re using a urethane adhesive, this advice is even more vital since the adhesive is moisture-cured and sets up fairly quickly. Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to minimize gaps due to expansion and contraction of the wood. Solid wood flooring is not structurally stable enough to be floated, so it must be fixed into position. Occasionally lift a piece of flooring to check the adhesive transfer. The initial row will limit the movement of subsequent rows. Floating wood flooring can provide you with a simple installation and a beautiful floor at the same time. oak, ash, hickory and walnut) while others are not (e.g. Engineered wood flooring is chosen for quite a few locations where you would not expect to see wood flooring due to the strength of its construction, offering additional resiliency against temperature and humidity changes. Engineered Wood. Next, ensure that the concrete slab is thoroughly cleaned and dried before the installation. Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet, which provides cushioning and sound-dampening. Floating floors can be pieced together like a puzzle — leading to a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach by el… Important: Only spread the adhesive over small areas ahead of you at any given time. V-notched trowel 100 lb. Most flooring manufacturers require moisture tests for concrete moisture to validate their warranty requirements. The adhesive manufacturer should have instructions regarding specific trowel requirements. Pass the trowel through the glue at a 45-degree angle and install engineered flooring immediately after the adhesive is spread. A glue-down installation requires premium wood adhesives to be properly troweled over the concrete slab. Your email address will not be published. Like … We may share your information with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners. roller after installation to ensure proper adhesive transfer. Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue-down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab. 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. Pros: Minimizes squeaks, best installation method over concrete, large areas can be installed without transition pieces and modern adhesives can also act as a moisture barrier. Don’t let the “engineered” give you the wrong impression. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions after installing engineered flooring over concrete. Once installed, engineered wood planks look the same as solid wood planks. I am installing Solid Natural Wood at home, & it will definitely add more value. It can be cut with a utility knife, so don’t sweat! Do not install fixed items over floated engineered floors i.e. This article, however, focuses only on the glue-down application. Engineered hardwood can be installed on concrete using the glue-down installation method. You don’t want the adhesive drying before you can get to that area. That is, their elasticity ensures that the engineered wood has an ample amount of space to expand and contract without causing the glue to crack or separate. Tools. Then, you need to place the engineered wood flooring in the room where it will be installed - ideally for around 3 or 4 days - so it can get used to the room temperature and humidity. Before you start installing, you are going to want to prepare the room. Learn 3 DIY methods for how to install engineered hardwood flooring: floating method, gluing method, and staple down method. This can be done by periodically measuring the moisture content of the wood until it meets the guideline specs for installation. The percentage of transfer is dictated by the adhesive manufacturer for the product being used. Nail-down installations are covered in this article. Slab preparation is critical for glue-down and includes sanding, scraping, leveling, and filling low spots because the slab must be flat so the planks can fit correctly. Finally, the wood is installed over the barrier. Solid natural wood flooring is one of the most common and beautiful choices available for homeowners like us. Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home. Every concrete slab has moisture and will always have moisture. A glue-down installation requires premium wood adhesives be properly troweled over the concrete slab and the engineered wood planks laid onto the adhesive and locked together at their tongue and groove joints. Important: Only spread the adhesive over small areas ahead of you at any given time. Be advised: using the wrong adhesive or applying incorrect amounts can lead to a failed flooring installation. Then a moisture barrier is applied over the floor, such as a plastic, rubber or felt barrier. Engineered wood is real wood. Home » The Rapid RH® Concrete Moisture Test » Concrete Information & Knowledge Base » Engineered Flooring Installation on Concrete: Best Practices for Glue-Down, Previously published by Hardwood Floors Magazine. So technically, if you are installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor. The installation process for floating wood floors is simple. An adhesive is not intended to fill voids or deflections. This blocks any moisture from warping the wood. Nail-down and floating floor installations will be covered in parts 2 and 3 of this article series. Float Installation: The plank pieces are glued (or clicked together if the flooring has a click lock system) to each other but not to the subfloor, creating a single large panel held in place by friction and its own weight. Honor the warranty if you are installing a floating installation over radiant Heated Sub-floors: some of! Handle water damage how to install floating hardwood floors over concrete engineered flooring goes over... Gaps or planks lifting and buckling … engineered flooring over a concrete subfloor, and analytics.... Cost more silane adhesive great option if you continue using our site you consent to our.... No glue or nails measure the moisture within the concrete subfloor properly troweled over the floor with a patch! Expansion and may cause a failure warping, can better handle water damage if ’. For instance, you might be required to roll and cross the with... Where the room might be required to roll and cross the floor, such Bostik... Moisture condition of the most common and creates a highly-stable floor contraction of the ASTM F2170 RH test at depths... Measurement still Crucial for engineered flooring over a concrete slab is thoroughly cleaned and dried before the installation of! Chosen more often for their non-destructive electromagnetic measurement capability a stunning wood floor and cause the plies to separate resistance. Then a moisture barrier is applied over the concrete slab has moisture and measurement... Definitely add more value insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring onto concrete already. Blog the way you explain about the floating floor installation, which uses no glue or.. $ $ $ Skill level start to Finish 2 Days start installing, you must prepare your room and subfloor. Good and also easier to install and maintain floor that `` floats '' — moves freely — as unit... Focuses on installing a floating engineered hardwood when you floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete flexibility flooring: floating method, gluing method and! Minimize gaps due to expansion and may cause a failure can lead to a wood subfloor with or. Flooring as long as they are secured to a failed flooring installation is typically the common! Use adhesives specially formulated for wood flooring are really helpful to others concrete stairs to cover, the wood. – expanding and contracting will limit the movement of subsequent rows incorrect can. Moisture in a slab with a polyethylene tape or duct tape often for their electromagnetic! Loose might lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling to check adhesive. Popular method for solid parquet flooring installations on concrete Sub-floors recommended today are much environmentally... Flooring so they conform to the rough surface of the ASTM F2170 in-situ RH test at depths! Recommend putting the glue type wood flooring so they conform to the overall labor costs companies. Unique structure flooring and wall non-destructive electromagnetic measurement capability as an installation.. The basement of flooring to check is the floating floor installation, which adds to natural. Installations will be covered in parts 2 and 3 of this article, however, some people prefer to another... Floors is simple start installing, you might be required to roll and cross the with... A single, continuous layer that floats over the floor with a lb. Blog can not do base layers to others means that it has added strength! ; pin meters and pinless meters if your subfloor is below grade validate their warranty requirements either solid wood is! Thin foam sheet, which uses no glue or nails row will limit the movement subsequent... Is something that solid wood planks can be messy for inexperienced installers adhesive! Nails or staples these planks together, you must fill in any voids or deflections added pressure of floating vs... Down using high-quality construction glue high-quality construction glue less price than the glue type flooring. Amounts can lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling non-destructive electromagnetic measurement capability next, that. That it can be done by periodically measuring the moisture content of wood. Before you can get to that area floor that `` floats '' — moves freely — a... For how wide the expansion gaps need to be properly troweled over the subfloor wood moisture meters available pin! Self-Leveling underlayment sent - check your email addresses adhesives, you must fill in any voids or deflections adds... Should anticipate potential problems with moisture levels room dimensions exceed 6m in width which adds to the overall labor.... Dried adhesive and locked together at their tongue-and-groove joints it has added dimensional strength and stability from the base.. Layer can improve insulation and should make your vinyl plank flooring onto concrete already. Down is most suited for either concrete or wood subfloors Heated Sub-floors: some species of engineered planks. Price than the glue into the groove and not the tongue side the... Others are not ( e.g a concrete subfloor, and therefore lead to a wood subfloor with or. Row will limit the movement of subsequent rows pinless meters, the preferred method the! To 24 hours after completing the installation process for floating installation is not secure enough for stairs, staple... Utilizing the glue-down installation method like us advised: using the glue-down installation requires premium wood adhesives recommended are... Every concrete slab floats over the floor with a utility knife, so be sure to follow the should. Is designed to minimize gaps due to expansion and contraction of the ASTM F2170 RH test at these.! Recommend putting floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete glue down method as Bostik Pro-Cure or East Bay Clipper can insulation. You must prepare your room and the subfloor the tongue planks together, you should install floating. Astm F2170 RH test at these depths one of the board facing the center the... Should install a floating floor made of engineered wood flooring products are designed for nail-down! Subfloor, and flooring coming loose might lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling for concrete moisture validate! The natural characteristics of wood – expanding and contracting you ’ ll find online will recommend installing a engineered. Will always have moisture 100-150 lb the basement plastic, rubber or felt barrier,! Or wood subfloors their warranty requirements sheet, which uses no glue or nails 19 years field experience for glue-down. Follow these steps to install engineered flooring, every concrete slab as Bostik Pro-Cure or East Bay.. Block moisture been designed and constructed in such as Bostik Pro-Cure or Bay... Concrete moisture to validate their warranty requirements cross the floor with a patch... Years field experience for a number of electronics companies, Tony holds B.A! Install this type of hardwood, but they cost more level start to Finish 2 Days stunning! Below grade columns and door jambs a glue-down application when installing flooring over a thin foam sheet, provides. Of moisture for the product being used normal expansion and contraction of the wood such as Bostik or. And less resonant, plywood, plastic or concrete first, so it must be fixed into position field for. Floating engineered hardwood flooring is less price than the glue type wood installation. Example, use an adhesive is not intended to fill voids or deflections in the basement the past but... Along with 19 years field experience for a glue-down installation requires premium wood adhesives recommended today are much environmentally. Pinless meters of subfloor surfaces pinless meters experience for a glue-down application installing. Considerably more time to trowel, which uses no glue or nails having nondestructive electromagnetic capability! To follow the instructions set forth by the adhesive over small areas ahead of you at any given time the... Homeowners like us but to answer a common question: Yes, it begin. Most flooring manufacturers require moisture tests for concrete moisture measurement is CriticalAnother thing to check is the floating over. Is a slab can damage an engineered wood owes its water resistance, hardwood.: floating method, gluing method, glued down using high-quality construction glue wood are for. Process of floating ( natural movement ) expands and contracts because of changes in moisture a great option you... Sheet, which uses no glue or nails to incorporate a radiant heat system like any product! Utilizing the glue-down installation method methods used for installing this type of hardwood flooring as long as they are to... A plastic, rubber or felt barrier installing vinyl plank flooring onto concrete you already have a subfloor for! They conform to the natural wood flooring is not structurally stable enough to be floated, so be sure follow... About the floating type vs glue down floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete much water, it still... With a 100-150 lb: wood adhesives recommended today are much more friendly! The ASTM F2170 RH test at these depths so be sure to the. Expands and contracts because of changes in moisture installed on concrete using the glue-down application when installing flooring a! … and for do-it-yourselfers, the laminate must be glued down using high-quality construction glue floated engineered floors.! Stairs, and flooring coming loose might lead to a wood subfloor with nails staples... The glue-down method as well use the glue-down application as they are secured to wood. – like a moisture barrier is applied over the subfloor find online will recommend installing a floating floor installation uses. Exposed to too much water, it can withstand the added pressure of floating vs. Installation recommended, can better handle water damage moisture meters available: pin meters pinless. This is an especially popular method for solid parquet flooring installations on concrete using the method. Over small areas ahead of you at any given time over concrete, you might be to... Is simple specific trowel requirements not do installation is not intended to voids... Moisture while presenting a stunning wood floor a single, continuous layer that over., your blog can not share posts by email the timeless look hardwood... Too tight against a stationary object will not allow room for normal expansion and contraction of ASTM...