Hey everyone,
Wood floor on concrete slab – totally insane or what??
What’s the best way to go about this seemingly outrageous idea? We are in a Temperate climate (NY). Any step-by-steps on how to go about this?
A friend of mine in the same type of house said he laid vapor barrier on the slab, then nailed @ 12″ O.C. the 3/4″ plywood boards to the concrete with a Hilti. He then had a surface he could nail the solid wood to. So far no problems and his floors are 3-4 years old.
Mike
Replies
Mike , I think your friend did it right. The vapor barrier is the key.
Dave
Can be done. Not that unusual.
Vapor barrier is the right idea, but I would still be concerned about condensation with no thermal break. If the cold from the slab conducts to the wood, then meets warm air, the floor will get wet. I have seen this problem first-hand.
To create a thermal break, consider placing foam under the subfloor (over vapor barrier). Could use the thin type that goes under floating floors, or rigid board. Another option would be to use DRIcore underlayment tiles. Good thermal break, though I would still want the vapor barrier. Tu-tuf is a great vapor barrier material for this sort of application.
Perhaps you could use Insul-Tarp as a vapor barrier/thermal break in one.
If it's below grade, making sure basement stays dry is key. Vapor barrier will not stop water that surges through the floor, or runs down the walls. That's the hard part...
DRIcore- http://www.dricore.com/english/what.htm
Insul-Tarp- http://www.insul-tarp.com/products
Tu-Tuf (Sto-Cote) does not appear to have a website.