How To Install Nail Down Hardwood Floors On Concrete

As with other installation methods a moisture control vapor retarder is recommended for on grade and below grade nail down installations.

How to install nail down hardwood floors on concrete.

When installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. It s best to use shorter cleats than you would for a wood floor to ensure they sink in all the way. Always check with the manufacturer s instructions to determine if your hardwood floor can be installed over an in floor radiant heat system. You simply nail the boards with a flooring nailer.

Align the first board with the layout line with the tongue facing into the room. Get a comprehensive breakdown on which materials to use what to take into consideration and what steps to take for four subfloor systems. It follows the same method as staple down installation but you use a wood flooring cleat rather than a stapler. Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in.

Engineered flooring can be installed above grade at grade and below grade level do not install hardwood flooring in bathrooms. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. Installing hardwood flooring on a plywood covered slab is identical to installing it on a wood subfloor. If you re installing engineered hardwood floors please refer to the staple down instructions.

Solid hardwood flooring only can be installed on or above ground level with a plywood subfloor. Plan to nail down the engineered hardwood flooring when you have a wood subfloor. Then nail the flooring planks with a standard flooring nailer see photo for details. Old basement slabs can crack and buckle in places.

To begin stagger panel joints and use 1 8 spacers between panels. Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab. 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. And for do it yourselfers the preferred method is the floating floor installation which.

Nail installation is a method commonly used for solid hardwood floors. Plywood subfloor panels of 5 8 thickness or higher are recommended. How to install a nail down subfloor over concrete. Used when installing solid hardwood nail down installation is chosen due to how quickly and cost effectively it can be done.

You need to fill any large cracks and be sure that the entire floor is level. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab. Here s how to install flooring using the nail down method.