THEN put your floating floor on top of that. Start with a clean, as level as possible surface. Improper spacing. A vapor retarder is required for installation over concrete with a calcium chloride reading greater than 3 pounds, a relative humidity reading of greater than 75%, or a calcium carbide (CM) reading of greater than 2.5%. I agree with Woodbridge Env if the home is older and the basement was not built to be finished (does that make sense?) Always continually check for level as you go! Plywood underlayment is a thin plywood material that is most commonly used under resilient flooring materials, such as vinyl and linoleum sheets and tiles. Lay as many of these sheets as you need on the concrete to make the first layer of subfloor. It will act as a vapuor barrier for your floor. When installing subflooring over concrete, for installation of wood flooring, it is necessary to use thicker subflooring, so that it can be nailed into. I hate the carpet for two reasons.... it is just gross. When the tile is laid on top of a plywood subfloor, the plywood will expand over the years. It's the same black dimpled product that is under those particleboard subfloor 2x2 tiles you see at Home Depot for 15 bucks a tile. Option Two-B: Concrete slab with plywood sub-floor — 1 1/2 inches or more height allowance. Hey Rachelle! It will add about 1/2 an inch to the height of your floor. I would think this would mold because it wouldnt be able to 'breathe'....am i worrying uneccessarily? Or any wall treatment for that matter, we needed to start with something new. How do I repair a kitchen linoleum floor? Good luck with your project. Basically, she is installing floating wood floor, so the wood floor does not go under the cabinets. And if not, will it all shift? barrier FIRST. I promise! i want to do the same...lay down either real wood planks, or 'faux'...but, i am in a prefab on a slab...i worry about the vapor barrier...! The good thing about this stuff is you don't have to lay a plywood subfloor if you are putting down a hard surface flooring like wood or laminate. Over the most recent thirty years the most popular method of installing solid 3/4" hardwood on concrete was a plywood subfloor attached to the slab (illustration above). Subscribe for free today to receive all my latest DIY tutorials, decorating ideas, upcoming projects & more, sent right to your in-box! Though do-it-yourselfers can install wood flooring on a concrete slab, this job is not for the novice. SoOoOo... can someone answer the ACTUAL question please? Another way that involves less strain and hard work is to glue the plywood to the concrete. Installing Over Wood . In this project Tom had to remove old tile and install another layer of 3/4" thick plywood. Google dimpled membrane. Thanks so much! We have lived here 5 years now and if we were going to get moisture, actually flood waters in there, we would have got me. To install ceramic tile over wood, the wood surface must be structurally sound enough to support the weight of the tile. Thanks. My idea for this floor was to (1) have new concrete poured to cover over the cracks and level the floor, (2) glue and screw 3/4″ plywood to the top of the new concrete to act as a subfloor, and then (3) install nail-down red oak hardwood flooring to match the rest of the house. a. Install Carlisle Wide Plank Floors, milled to 1/2 inch thickness by blind nailing and gluing. ; USG: Durock does not expressly exclude concrete, but the material is specified only for minimum 5/8-inch exterior-grade plywood or OSB.One source reports that USG will not officially validate the Durock-to-concrete attachment simply because they have not tested it. Those are the only two rooms that have carpet in our whole house. In most cases 4-by-8-foot sheets of particle board or plywood must be installed in preparation for the vinyl floor install. Loosely lay a nailing surface of 3/4" 4' x 8' exterior plywood panels over the entire area, leaving a 3/4" space at the wall line and 1/4" to 1/2" between panels. Proper planning will save money, time and minimize mistakes. OSB flooring panels over 2×4 sleepers is one of the most cost-effective ways of installing a flooring system over a concrete slab. As someone who does a lot of mold removal, I can tell you they do not work, and any trapped moisture below the surface even if plastic is involved you will end up with rot, insects and mold not to mention odors. There is a product you can buy called DMX-1 Step from home depot. While problems may not occur for some folks, the chance is always there for things to go wrong. How To Install Shiplap Over A Concrete Wall - Basic DIY tutorial for creating a wood sub wall base for shiplap installation, with full tool + material list. that is important information to determine budget for your flooring as well. Installing Over WoodIt's also possible to install an underlayment over plywood subfloors, but additional steps are necessary to reduce the chance of cracking. Glued or nailed? Inadequate concrete surface preparation and priming might lead to severe pinholing or bubbling that could actually show through on some vinyl tile floors. 1950s tile bathroom floor lost it's shine. A vapor retarder is recommended anytime solid ¾â wood flooring is installed over concrete. Plastic for vapor barrier between plywood and slab? Once your top coat is dry you can begin enjoying your decorative concrete surface. It has large dimples on both sides so any moisture that wicks up through the concrete can evaporate. :o). LOL, « Cozy Cottage Makeover – Bedroom Retreat with Fireplace, Style Showcase 16 | Dreaming of Spring + Valentine’s Day », of the project, please see this post [CLICK HERE]. Vinyl flooring is usually not installed directly over the subfloor in residential applications. If you lay your floor directly onto cement it will absorb the cold and any moisture that wicks out of the cement. How do I clean this stone on floor on hearth ? Don't glue the plywood to the concrete. Expert tips and techniques for installing new solid- or engineered hardwood flooring on a concrete slab, including preparation, using a plywood base, and sleepers. The air spaces between the dimples also act as insulation and keeps your floor warmer than if your floor was laid on bare concrete. Then put another layer of 1/2" ply over top of the first layer, but at a 90 degree angle. Installing a floating subfloor over your cement floor can add warmth, homeliness, and character to your room. I did find a flooring business very close to where I live, so I think I am going to go in there and talk to someone there and see what they have to say too. The before actually looks a tiny bit worse than how we were living with it, because Jim removed the covers from the old, non functioning duct work holes to put up all the furring strips and had those up before I grabbed a shot. Concrete has moisture in it and your wood will mold and rot over time. Install your plywood. do you want wood, tile or carpet? Alternatively, screw rows of ⦠For vinyl tile, skip ⦠You put your floating floor on top. Hey smart people... why don't you actually read the dang question. My husband calls it analysis paralysis. We used a corner piece for the left, and quarter round for the right. It can also be used under hardwood, laminate, and carpet, but this is much less common these days because subflooring is typically smooth enough for these materials, many of which are installed with a different type of underlayment or pad. I have heard of that book and will look into it. but they are very expensive and then one has to buy the thermostats with them and install them.... yikes. Thanks in Advance. Do a floating suspended floor. We had to rip out really gross carpet in the two rooms when we moved in and put new stuff in. I looked a bit online and found matts, etc. I did one a few years back where I installed 2 x 4's on the "flat" and filled the spaces with blue rigid foam, then the ply was installed and then hardwood. I need to redo it now. One of the big considerations when installing different types of flooring in the home is getting the finished elevations to match. I'm sure Lowes sells a similar product. Glued or nailed? The cost associated with both options for installing wood over concrete is similar. It doesn't matter where you live, concrete is damp. Place the first layer with edges parallel to the longest starting wall. In closing… I just have to say that I felt like it was really important to share our 100% honest, We’ve lived in apartments, a vintage home, a townhouse, a manufactured home, a brand new-build home, a dream home, and this funky little cottage bungalow. Place a layer of 6mm polyethylene onto the concrete as your moisture barrier. Regular or treated plywood? If you have a plywood subfloor over a concrete slab, check the moisture level of both floors. Oh, I'm in Calgary, Alberta. In addition to this, tile can not properly adhere to wood the way it does to concrete. Over the most recent thirty years the most popular method of installing solid 3/4" hardwood on concrete was a plywood subfloor attached to the slab (illustration above). Several methods can be used to connect plywood to concrete blocks, or Concrete Masonary Units (CMUs), as they're officially known. When the adhesive requires, add a moisture control system before applying the adhesive. I have been researching a lot and would like to install a plywood floor over concrete in two bedrooms in our basement. @Lorraine Chipman I will look into that! D. Nail-Down Subfloor System Over Concrete 1. @ Rachelle where in Canada do you live? I would really love to hear how it goes! Please tell me what a brown paper floor is. With this method, the vapor barrier can be placed over pressure-treated sleepers or under untreated sleepers. The product I mentioned is called Dimpled Membrane. As a result, the grout lines and the tiles themselves can crack and become damaged. I have seen many blogs and read a lot, and know it can be done, but, need a bit of help. One way to attach plywood to a concrete surface is to screw it into place with concrete fasteners. The specifications above suggest two 1/2" layers of t/g plywood. Plus, are there egress windows if you are going to make the rooms bedrooms? It lays directly on top of the waterproof barrier, or combination of barrier and underlayment, to help cushion and insulate. from our Blog that you may find useful: Yep, you do need a moisture barrier and it would be best if you do a "floating" floor which would allow for the wood to flex with temp. Yet this application does make sense, since concrete is heavy, solid, and is typically thought of as an unbending, uncompromising material. Hi Walt, this is Peggy. I have been researching a lot and would like to install a plywood floor over concrete in two bedrooms in our basement. We recently purchased a home. Thanks again! thank you so much. Prior to installing any finished flooring, it is important to remember: Re-secure any loose wood subfloor planks, OSB, or plywood subfloors to the floor joists using 2-1/2" deck screws. I do appreciate all the advice! Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home. 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The inslab heating... gosh hope that makes sense... appreciate any insight Lorraine i. N'T think it is very cold concrete, it also acts as insulation because there is ever leak... Should apply a concrete slab, this job is not for the bedroom shiplap, as level possible. I choose flooring for my living room old now and the tiles themselves can and!