OT: hardwood flooring?

Mike Henry · Jan 27, 2013

Triing to help cousin get her house in shape after a few years of neglect.ranch house with concrete floor. She wants to put down the hardwood floor stuff. She has the concrete floor in this house. no crawlspace. I know that you should put something down over the cement before installing it.but what is it? and what do you recommend as a product. She isnt the best in the housekeeping dept. Any help would be appreciated.Thank you in advance.

Frrancis Pearsall · Jan 27, 2013

Right on, not a real problem you can put several products under to protect from moisture. You won't be able to put a 3/4" hardwood unless you put under surface to nail to, what will work good is the new engineered floor like pergo, simple install just snaps together looks just like oak hardwood, not quite as durable. Just check with local suppler, Lowes, or Home Depot they have all kinds of geniuses right out of pree school to help and advise.

RickieBlue · Jan 27, 2013

There is a recommended underlayment for laminate floors, some with moisture barrier capabilities. The underlayment also allows the laminate to float as needed due to heat expansion. If you are using this in an area that would be subject to liquids such as a kitchen or bathroom, you need to use a joint sealer when assembling because moisture will make it swell up and buckle. I have used this in a bathroom with no issues. There is a recommended air space needed around the perimeter so it won't buckle with heat expansion. Just remember that it is not wood flooring but is synthetic flooring with a picture of wood grain on the top! Here is a link to a search on youtube that should help you out alot. Go check some of the video's!!
Click here

Bob Bancroft · Jan 27, 2013

We had a similar situation where we wanted to insulate a concrete floor, and didn't want to be standing and walking on an unforgiving floor. But we didn't put down any hardwood, so this may not be of any help.
Our builder came up with the plan- ripped 2x4's in half- screwed them down to the concrete on 2' centers- trimmed 2' sheets of styrofoam insulation and fitted between strips. Then fastened down tongue and groove plywood,(I think!) Can't believe it's been over 20 years! Then linoleum or carpet over that. It's worked well.

Dick2 · Jan 27, 2013

Check with the laminate suppliers; some of them come with a backing that is a moisture barrier so you don't have to put down anything - just install the laminate over the concrete. However, you may have to check the level of the concrete and grind down any high spots before installation.

If you want the laminate to be waterproof, you have to use waterproof glue on all edges as you install. That should be done in any locations where liquids might be spilled on the floor; bathrooms, laundry rooms, dining room and kitchen. Probably not necessary in other rooms.

We have all laminate floors on top of concrete in our house as I am allergic to carpet. My wife wouldn't go back to carpet for anything; laminate is much easier to keep clean.

rustred · Jan 27, 2013

that imitation hardwood stuff is not the best thing to use unless your a real picky person. it will not stand up to liquid spills on the floor. have to clean it with a damp mop only. we have that and i call it junk. the real hardwood is the answer. but there is a lot of different flooring stuff out there. just a thought.

JML755 · Jan 27, 2013

mike henry,
I just installed over 900 sq ft of 3/4" red oak hardwood on a osb sub-floor and 15# tar paper as a moisture barrier. Lumberliquidators.com website has instructions online, which will help you determine installation method for whatever product you choose. Personally, I like the 3/4" product over the laminate. The house we just bought has a laminate product in the kitchen right next to the new hardwood floor and there's no comparison. The laminate looks "plasticky" and there's a major difference in how it feels when you walk on it. But...... the 3/4" oak requires more skill to install and if you get the unfinished (as I did) you've got to sand the floors and then finishing takes a day or so plus it takes up to 2 weeks to fully cure the finish. They do make the 3/4 in pre-finished so that's an option.

BTW, We were going to leave the kitchen alone as the floor is not in bad condition but after putting in the new 3/4" floor, we've decided to replace the laminate with red oak. The laminate product the previous owner used is not glued down. It's floating and it will lift right up with a shop-vac at the edges.

JD Seller · Jan 27, 2013

Mike the wood laminate stuff is not real good for a poor house keeper. Especially in a kitchen or bath area. It will not take water spills very well. It gets in to the seam and they swell up.

A product that I have used that I like much better is called "Allure" from Home Depot. It is a solid Vinyl product. IT is in planks/squares like the laminate. You can get it that looks like the wood laminate. It does have about a 3/4 inch over lapping seam. Kind of like ceiling tile. The seam over lap comes with an adhesive sticky strip on it. You just lay one on top of the other and they will stick together. After they are laid awhile they will not come apart.

I have used this product for 4-5 years in the rentals I have. I have had zero problems with it. I am going ro redo the utility room in my house this summer and I am going to use it. It is easy to install and lasts very well. With it you would not have to worry about a moisture barrier over the concrete.

Allure flooring at Home Depot.

OT: hardwood flooring?

Mike Henry

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Frrancis Pearsall

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RickieBlue

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Bob Bancroft

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Dick2

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rustred

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JML755

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JD Seller

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