How To Install Engineered Wood Flooring On Concrete Below Grade

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How to install engineered wood flooring on concrete below grade.

Installing quality hardwood flooring in basement over concrete will make that space look stunning and spectacular. Hardwoods provide style and elegance that adapts easily to any interior design whether modern contemporary or country. Use a minimum 3 4 23 32 18 3 mm 4 x 8 subfloor panels. You should also keep in mind that most accepted subfloor preparation methods involve raising the height of the finished floor.

Installing solid hardwood flooring in a basement that is below grade generally voids the warranty so if you really want the look of hardwood there choose engineered over solid planks. Two it can be installed at any grade level including below grade. Beauty concrete is ugly. This can mean groundwater relentlessly pressing against foundation walls and forcing its way through cracks.

For starters while you can consider solid hardwood for at and above grade installations only engineered flooring with its plywoodlike construction is suitable below grade. Even 1 8 inch of water is still enough to flood solid hardwood and ruin it. This can mean water springing from leaky plumbing pipes a backed up clothes washer or a failed water heater water may come from outside via the edge of the foundation. Engineered wood flooring is a beautiful durable flooring product that offers a few different installation options.

A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. It s also a great option if you choose to incorporate a radiant heat system don t forget the vapor retarder. A vapor retarder is always required over the concrete slab and below the subflooring material. And three it s better than traditional plank for installing over in floor heating systems.

However while engineered hardwood flooring offers increased durability that doesn t mean it can be used anywhere. Solid parquet should not be installed below grade. While some products are designed for glue down application as is often used when installing flooring over a concrete slab this is typically a job for a contractor. The other two popular installation methods are more diy friendly.