I am wanting to install 3/4″ solid oak hardwood floors at home as a little project. My research has shown that I should lay a subfloor first so they can be nailed to it. However, in 2 rooms I have existing hardwoods and they weren’t done that way and I’ve had no problems. It appears that they were glued to the slab.
The house is over 40 years old, my slab has a low moisture content, and is in Houston TX. My question is: can I just glue it to the slab instead of laying the subfloor? If not, why?
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Of course you can glue your flooring to the slab. Do a web search on "bostick." They make good adhesives for your purpose. Doing a glue-down will require some jacks and/or ratchet straps, however. So check with your rental yards to see that they have what you need.
Wait a minute...I thought concrete slabs required either engineered wood or floating floors. Could I be wrong?
Do it right, or do it twice.
You can glue solid 3/4 x 2 1/4 strip floors to the concrete as long as the pieces are no longer than 18 inches. Basically shorts.
What does the length have to do with it? I thought the problem was width expansion, and cupping?
Do it right, or do it twice.