How do I install hardwood on a concrete floor?

Question

The floor is concrete in my apartment and I would like to install hardwood floors.

1-Do I need to put something else on the floor before installing the hardwoods?

2-Do I need to nail the woods down to the concrete?

I want to do the job by myself (Its about 700 square feet) that needs to get hardwooded.

any tips? Thanks a lot

Answer 1

Is your slab above grade or below? if it is below, you must install a floating floor. if it is above, apply Bostik MVP for moisture prep, and use Bostik's Best to glue the floor down.

Answer 2

You must first put down a subfloor that is also a moisture barrier. Concrete sweats and will warp a hardwood floor so a barrier is a must. You also need the subfloor to be thick enough to nail into unless you are using the new type snap together hardwood floor. Your dealer will have the answers for the various types of installation. Use that advice.

Answer 3

Put the subfloor down first so that it protect the wood from warping and then get the snap in kind of hardwood floor. Its nicer and you don't have the nail spots. Plus its easier. I put it in my home. I love it.

Good luck

Answer 4

Most concrete floors getting this kind of flooring are below-grade (such as in a basement.)

Those floors only use laminate flooring, as it is the only thing recommended for below-grade (as the other answerer said, the moisture causes genuine hardwood to buckle.)

The laminate flooring can take the moisture.  You can buy it as a "floating floor"...it's not attached to the subfloor.  You lay down a foam underlayment and then either glue or snap the laminate together. You'll still cut all the boards, but won't nail anything down.