How To Level A Concrete Floor For Engineered Hardwood

Engineered hardwood is sturdier than traditional plank but surface preparation still matters.

How to level a concrete floor for engineered hardwood.

Moisture can pose problems for solid hardwood floors below ground level so engineered wood floors made of layers of wood glued together are the best. Actually the floor must be flat which allows for minor variations in the level. When installing a basement hardwood floor the concrete must be flat so the tongue and grooves of the hardwood meet and connect. With dry concrete and the right subfloors and vapor retarders solid hardwood floors can be installed on slabs that are either on grade at ground level or above grade above ground level.

For any flooring installation over concrete you should anticipate potential problems with moisture levels. A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade. Hardwood floor installers often use the term level when referring to subfloors when actually they are meaning the term flat while it s desirable to have a level floor most homes. Check your wood flooring manufacturer s recommendations and sand any high spots with a concrete grinder.

Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces. Other products are better suited for a nail down installation where they are secured to a wood subfloor with nails or staples. Whether you re going on to install hardwood ceramic tile or laminate one of the most important steps of any flooring project is making sure the subfloor foundation is level. You need to fill any large cracks and be sure that the entire floor is level.

Keep checking the floor with a level as you grind the concrete. Typically the floor must be level and uniform within 3 16 inch every 10 feet. Once installed engineered wood planks look the same as solid wood planks. Old basement slabs can crack and buckle in places.

When you re finished vacuum the floor thoroughly with a wet dry vacuum or sweep it with a broom. Fill any low spots with a cementitious leveling compound following the manufacturer s directions and allow it to dry before proceeding. A dust mask will not give you enough protection. How to level a floor.

The misconception is that a concrete subfloor must be completely level to install hardwood. Like any wood product engineered hardwood expands and contracts because of changes in moisture.