How To Install Nail Down Hardwood Floors On Concrete

Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab.

How to install nail down hardwood floors on concrete.

Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Plan to nail down the engineered hardwood flooring when you have a wood subfloor. It s best to use shorter cleats than you would for a wood floor to ensure they sink in all the way. You simply nail the boards with a flooring nailer.

How to install a nail down subfloor over concrete. Alternatively screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in. Here s how to install flooring using the nail down method. If you re installing engineered hardwood floors please refer to the staple down instructions.

As with other installation methods a moisture control vapor retarder is recommended for on grade and below grade nail down installations. It follows the same method as staple down installation but you use a wood flooring cleat rather than a stapler. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. Align the first board with the layout line with the tongue facing into the room.

Then nail the flooring planks with a standard flooring nailer see photo for details. Other products are better suited for a nail down installation where they are secured to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. You need to fill any large cracks and be sure that the entire floor is level. Gluing works well when you are installing engineered hardwood over a concrete subfloor but be sure you clearly understand the manufacturer s application instructions before you glue that floor.

Always check with the manufacturer s instructions to determine if your hardwood floor can be installed over an in floor radiant heat system. Plywood subfloor panels of 5 8 thickness or higher are recommended. Lay the 1x4s perpendicular to the direction you intend to install the floor planks. Solid hardwood flooring only can be installed on or above ground level with a plywood subfloor.

Used when installing solid hardwood nail down installation is chosen due to how quickly and cost effectively it can be done. To begin stagger panel joints and use 1 8 spacers between panels. Engineered flooring can be installed above grade at grade and below grade level do not install hardwood flooring in bathrooms. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab.

And for do it yourselfers the preferred method is the floating floor installation which. When installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. Old basement slabs can crack and buckle in places.