what is the best way to lay hardwood over concrete. 30 year old basement. 4’x10 area.
some thoughts: vapour barrier – then floating plywood subfloor so as not to puncture poly.
questions: how thick should plywood be. what size nails in the flooring nailer,will it still break any vapour barrier that is layed down
or should I look at that drycore product with the dimpled underside.
I’ve heard some say never lay hardwood over concrete.
anything else between, subfloor and hardwwod ( same question for upstairs) I’ve heard some lay a paper some don’t.
I’m a framer, and helped out on a small hardwood job 7 or 8 years ago but I don’t remember many details.
any tips apreciated.
Replies
Here is how I did my 3/4" oak on my concrete slab on grade.
Here it is in profile:
3/4" oak flooring
30 # roofing paper
3/4" t&g plywood nailed to the slab with t-nails
30# roofing paper
I didn't worry about the t-nails penetrating the lower layer of roofing paper as its relatively self-sealing. Floor has been down like this for 5 years and no major problems. I do have one little spot with a slight squeak as I believe one or two t-nails may have come loose. But in 3,000 sq ft, I can live with that.
Mike
What's "t nails".....you mean like tapcon screws?
and a question. if the bottom layer of paper acts as a vapour barrier, what does the top layer of paper do? same? could it ever trap moisture in ply?
also , what do you usually do on a regular sub floor. paper then flooring...or flooring straight to subfloor?
PS. pls forgive my slow response time as I don't have a comp for the moment and have to hit the library when I can to check for posts.
No, not tapcons. I have a Bostitch nailer that shoots t shaped nails for nailing into concrete. You can usually rent one locally if you're only doing a one-time project as they cost around $300. new
Yes, I used the secondary layer of paper as a second means of keeping moisture out but alos to keep the oak from "squeaking" on the plywood or any nail heads. I guess you could trap moisture in between the layers of paper but I'd rather have it there than in the finished oak.
On my second floor which was plywood, I just ran one layer of paper and then the finished oak.
Mike
First test to see if ANY moisture is coming up thru slab.
Tape down a 24" square plastic in a cou-ple locations and checkit in a couple days. If moisture is present in any way, don't even think about hardwood on crete.
Ways to install subfloor include glue and double ply of plywood for nailing with all joints staggered.
Personally, I would go with a floating engineered floor
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Love your idea with the poly test for moisture.