How To Install Nail Down Hardwood Floors On Concrete

Plan to nail down the engineered hardwood flooring when you have a wood subfloor.

How to install nail down hardwood floors on concrete.

How to install a nail down subfloor over concrete. You need to fill any large cracks and be sure that the entire floor is level. Alternatively screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in. Plywood subfloor panels of 5 8 thickness or higher are recommended.

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. When installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. Then nail the flooring planks with a standard flooring nailer see photo for details.

Here s how to install flooring using the nail down method. Always check with the manufacturer s instructions to determine if your hardwood floor can be installed over an in floor radiant heat system. Floated subfloor alternate subfloor glue down sub floor and the nail down subfloor system. Learn how to install beautiful hardwood floors over a concrete slab.

Nail installation is a method commonly used for solid hardwood floors. Engineered flooring can be installed above grade at grade and below grade level do not install hardwood flooring in bathrooms. You simply nail the boards with a flooring nailer. Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab.

And for do it yourselfers the preferred method is the floating floor installation which. 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. It s best to use shorter cleats than you would for a wood floor to ensure they sink in all the way. To begin stagger panel joints and use 1 8 spacers between panels.

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. Treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Installing hardwood flooring on a plywood covered slab is identical to installing it on a wood subfloor.

Solid hardwood flooring only can be installed on or above ground level with a plywood subfloor. If you re installing engineered hardwood floors please refer to the staple down instructions. Used when installing solid hardwood nail down installation is chosen due to how quickly and cost effectively it can be done.