How do you build a subfloor on concrete?

Publish date: 2023-04-10
Once you've installed a vapor retarder, install your subfloor. To install a floated subfloor system, first place a layer of plywood subfloor panels with the edges parallel to the wall. Use a ¾” spacer between the plywood and the wall and a 1/8” spacer between panels.

Then, do you need a subfloor on concrete?

While a subfloor is not necessary to add structural strength when you'll be laying finish flooring on top of a concrete slab (as in a basement remodel), subflooring over concrete offers two other advantages: Dampness control. Install a vapor barrier of plastic sheeting before laying the subfloor.

One may also ask, do you need a subfloor for hardwood on concrete? 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). All concrete, masonry and sheet-rock should be completely dry. In warm weather, the building should be wellventilated.

In this manner, how do you build a concrete floor?

Lay 6-mil polyethylene sheeting over the concrete to minimize moisture migration from the concrete up into the wood flooring. Then fasten 3/4-in. treated plywood to the concrete with concrete screws spaced every 16 in. Alternatively, screw rows of treated 1x4s to the concrete 16 in.

Can I put a subfloor over concrete?

How-to install a wood subfloor over concrete. You need a dry, clean and flat surface before you can install finished flooring in a room built on a concrete slab. One of the simplest options is a sleeper-based subfloor. The result is a subfloor that protects finished flooring from cold and damp concrete-based floors.

Can you glue subfloor to concrete?

Plywood can easily adhere to concrete. Plywood is often used as a sub-flooring. It can be installed on top of concrete before hardwood flooring or another type of material is installed. One way to attach plywood to a concrete surface is to screw it into place with concrete fasteners.

How do you build a subfloor frame?

Install the subfloor. Lay down 3⁄4 in (1.9 cm) tongue-and-groove plywood panels over the joists, then use wood glue or panel adhesive and galvanized flooring nails to secure each panel around its edges. Work in small sections until the entire floor is covered.

What type of flooring is best for concrete slab?

The best options for flooring over a concrete slab foundation are wood/laminate, carpet, or tile for your whole house. Many concrete floors have a tendency to get damp, so when you are installing wood floors over a concrete slab foundation there are some important things that you need to do.

What is the best subfloor for a basement?

Wood panels, such as plywood or oriented strand board, are common subfloor choices. However, because wood is a naturally porous substance that will absorb moisture, when used as a basement subfloor, these materials are often installed on mini-joists known as "sleepers," which allow it to sit above a concrete pad.

Is a subfloor necessary in the basement?

Subfloors are not always necessary. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. Concrete or tile-over-concrete are acceptable floors for uninhabited basements.

Can you install a floating floor over concrete?

The quickest way to get new wood underfoot is to install a floating floor. Unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor isn't nailed down. Instead, the planks are either glued or snapped together. The planks go down fast, over virtually any material—concrete, plywood, sheet vinyl, even ceramic tile.

Is a moisture barrier necessary for vinyl flooring?

A moisture barrier is need to protect the flooring against moisture or moisture vapor. Floating Floor Installations – When installing laminate or other floating floors over cement, VCT, ceramic tiles, or kitchen vinyl, use 6 mil poly sheeting plastic as the moisture barrier.

What is the best flooring to put on concrete?

Since flooring experts generally recommend against installing traditional strip or plank hardwoods below grade, the six best options for basement flooring over concrete are:

Can you lay carpet directly on concrete?

You can, but the carpet won't be very comfortable. Do I need to put glue or tape down on the concrete before laying the padding? No. Padding will stay in place when the carpet is stretched over it.

Do I need a moisture barrier on wood subfloor?

Sometimes, a moisture barrier is not recommended. If you're installing your hardwood floors over a wood subfloor, you should avoid using a moisture barrier. Over time, moisture can get trapped between the moisture barrier protecting your hardwood flooring and the wood subfloor.

What is the best flooring for cement floor in basement?

Ceramic tile is the designer's choice, with tons of colors and styles. It's unaffected by moisture and goes directly onto concrete that's smooth and free of cracks. Vinyl tile and sheet flooring also goes directly over prepared concrete and will withstand even minor flooding with no ill effect.

Can you install vinyl plank flooring on uneven floor?

Installing vinyl plank flooring ca be done over most surfaces as long as those surfaces are smooth. Rough and uneven spots will telegraph through the new flooring, causing noticeable high spots that will wear faster than the rest of the floor.

How thick is a concrete basement floor?

3- 4 inches

How do you insulate a concrete floor?

There are two ways to handle insulating concrete floors. You can attach wood sleepers to the floor, fill the gaps with rigid-foam insulation, and then apply your finish flooring. Or, as demonstrated here, you can cover the slab with rigid-foam insulation, add two layers of plywood, and then add the finish flooring.

How do you nail plywood to concrete?

Installation: (1) With the plywood or sleeper in place, use a hammer drill and ¼” carbide tipped masonry bit that meets ANSI standards. Drill right through the wood and into the concrete to a depth of ¼” deeper than the split drive anchor will penetrate the concrete.

How do you install a vapor barrier on a concrete floor?

  • Roll the moisture barrier onto the floor lengthwise.
  • Overlap the next row by 3 to 8 inches, depending on the manufacturer's instructions.
  • Seal the seams with a moisture-resistant tape all the way down the length of the row.
  • Repeat these steps until the whole floor is covered.

    • Do I need a subfloor for laminate in basement?

    Preparation: You should only install laminate on a concrete basement subfloor which was poured 60 days or more prior to the work. Newer concrete will still be losing moisture that can affect your flooring installation. Then, lay a 6-mil plastic moisture barrier underlayment to further protect the material.

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