Can you install hardwood floors over concrete? If you have a concrete slab main floor or basement, you may be wondering if it’s possible to install hardwood flooring directly on top of the concrete. The short answer is yes.
Do you need underlay for solid wood flooring on concrete? It is important to mention that you do not need a wood floor underlay when you have a solid hardwood floor and that’s because it is not stable, hence it has to be installed mechanically to the concrete subfloor.
Can you put flooring directly on concrete? Laminate flooring can be installed over concrete, wood or carpet subfloor or other surfaces. Installation of good quality underlayment is highly recommended. Installing underlayment is easy but it has to be done precise to avoid any tears.
How do you install solid wood flooring on a concrete slab? Lay 6-mil polyethylene sheeting over the concrete to minimize moisture migration from the concrete up into the wood flooring. Then fasten 3/4-in. treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Alternatively, screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in.
Can you install hardwood floors over concrete? – Related Questions
What to clean hardwood floors with natural?
To clean wood floors naturally, use a common kitchen staple: vinegar. Learning how to clean hardwood floors with vinegar will save you money on top of providing a safe cleaning method for your floors. Clean wood floors with vinegar by adding 1/2 cup white vinegar to a gallon of lukewarm water.
How much does it cost to refurbish oak hardwood floors?
According to HomeAdvisor, the typical price range to refinish hardwood floors is between $1,074 and $2,485, with the national average at $1,757. This comes out to $3 to $8 per square foot, including materials and labor. Roughly 80 percent of the cost to refinish hardwood floors comes from labor.
What do you wash hardwood floors with?
You can use a commercial wood-cleaning product, like Bona or Murphy Oil Soap. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. You can also make your own cleaner by mixing one part vinegar to 10 parts warm water. Add a few drops of liquid Castile soap.
How to shine hardwood floors naturally?
Vegetable Oil & White Vinegar: Mix equal parts vegetable oil and white vinegar together to make a simple, yet effective, cleaner for your hardwood floor. Vinegar is a natural polish that is perfect for cleaning. It’s acidity will help break down dirt and grime.
Does it take time for hardwood to settle?
You can expect the wood to respond in different ways to the humidity, temperature and light that enters the room. As a general rule, you should allow for a minimum of the four seasons to take their course before the wooden flooring is settled into its environment.
What trees do hardwoods and softwoods come from?
In general, hardwood comes from deciduous tree’s which lose their leaves annually. Softwood comes from conifer, which usually remains evergreen.
How to get broken staples out of hardwood floor?
One of the best and easiest ways to remove broken staples from hardwood floors is by using a Staple Remover. A staple remover is a truly convenient tool for pulling out staples left behind on hardwood floors after removing carpet.
How to get first row of hardwood flooring straight?
Snap a chalk line down the middle, measure from that line to within a few inches of the starting wall, and snap a second line parallel to the first. Align your first piece with the second line. Then every couple of rows, measure to make sure you are still parallel with the first chalk line.
How to arrange hardwood floor planks?
The most common way to lay hardwood flooring is by aligning the planks parallel to the longest wall. Apart from a few exceptions like sagging joists, this is the preferred direction to lay wood floors because it aesthetically provides the best result.
How to make transition from tile to hardwood?
The answer to height differences is to use a floor transition strip that ramps up or down from tile flooring to wood flooring. Transition strips, typically made of wood or lightweight aluminum, can easily be cut to length with a regular miter saw or hacksaw.
What trees make up a northern hardwood forest?
Sugar maple, yellow birch, American beech, and white ash are the common key indicator tree and shrub species in the Northern Hardwood Forest. Other species include eastern hemlock and eastern white pine. Herb and heath species include wintergreen, wild sarsaparilla, and wood sorrel.
Is radiant heat good for hardwood floors?
Radiant floor heat is a cost-effective method of keeping your home warm and comfortable and it’s suitable for many types of wood flooring. Wood flooring? Yes, you heard that right! Radiant floor heat isn’t just for tile or carpet—it’s also a great choice for homes with laminate and hardwood floors.
What roomba is best for hardwood floors?
The iRobot Roomba 981 is the best robot vacuum for hardwood floors that we’ve tested. This robot vacuum delivers exceptional performance on bare floors, where it easily cleans pet hair as well as small and bulky debris.
Are steam mops ok for hardwood floors?
Sealed hardwood floors can withstand the moisture and heat from a steam mop, and they clean really nicely with a streak-free finish. However, avoid using a steam mop on unsealed hardwoods, as they’re more vulnerable and easily damaged by excessive moisture.
Why do hardwoods grow slowly?
Hardwood comes from trees, which lose their leaves in the winter. Trees such as Ash, Beech and Oak etc. They are also slow growing and take anything up to 100 years to fully mature. This is a reason for the dense timber.
What kind of sander to use on hardwood floors?
The drum sander is the real workhorse of hardwood floor sanding. It is a massive piece of equipment, too heavy for most people to lift—two people are required to carry it.
Do you need vapor barrier with hardwood flooring?
Do I need a vapor barrier for hardwood floors?” The answer is YES! Moisture can destroy hardwood flooring. It causes cupping, warping, and even mildew if not treated. You must install a moisture barrier to protect your flooring from water wicking up from below.
How to get dog scratches off hardwood floors?
If the scratches are fairly minimal, and you don’t have things like wood-stain on hand, you can try a simple fix or two using basic household products: Olive oil and vinegar. Try mixing ¾ cups of olive oil with ¼ cup of vinegar. Apply it with a clean rag.
What is the difference between hardwood and softwood wikipedia?
The opposite of softwood is hardwood, which is wood that comes from angiosperm trees. Softwoods are not always softer than hardwoods. Both groups include a variety of wood types that vary in actual hardness. For example balsa is a hardwood but is softer than most softwoods.
Should you put hardwood floors upstairs?
Casey Margeneau, Casey Margeneau Fine Homes & Estates: “Hardwood is preferred over carpet on the main level any day. When you get upstairs, if there is a preference, having hardwood in the hallways is important. It’s all price-sensitive.” Tracy Dillard, Long & Foster: “Hardwood is generally preferred over carpet.
How to use ammonia on hardwood floors?
Use an ammonia solution: An ammonia solution of 1 cup ammonia per gallon of water can be used to dissolve the buildup that’s causing the haziness of your floors. Remember to use this solution carefully since you don’t to do any further damage with excess water.