Any suggestions on how to go about installing a hardwood floor over a
concrete slab?

I'd rather go wall-to-wall carpet for obvious insulation benefits but
never mind that.

Would laminate be the way to go? If so, any kind of under-material
required or recommended?

Thanks!

Look at www.kahrs.com.

I installed the wood flooring "floating" over an underlayment supplied
with my Kahrs order. True, I did it on the second floor over the wood.

The cement has to be dry and relatively level.

Bill Fischer.

wrote:
Any suggestions on how to go about installing a hardwood floor over a
concrete slab?

I'd rather go wall-to-wall carpet for obvious insulation benefits but
never mind that.

Would laminate be the way to go? If so, any kind of under-material
required or recommended?

Thanks!

NOFMA (National Organization of Flooring Manufacturers) web site
includes several tech tips.
TB

wrote in message
oups.com...
Any suggestions on how to go about installing a hardwood floor over a
concrete slab?

I'd rather go wall-to-wall carpet for obvious insulation benefits but
never mind that.

Would laminate be the way to go? If so, any kind of under-material
required or recommended?

Real wood is not recommended over a slab on or below grade. It can be done
by putting down sleepers and insulation and a vapor barrier but then the
floor is raised about 2" or more.

Engineered hardwood or laminate can be used with the proper barrier. I used
Mannington engineered wood with very good results. www.mannington.com
There are many good brands and selections. I'd go to a real flooring store
rather than the big box stores if you want a good quality.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

I had a feeling real wood wouldn't work in this situation.

Yeah, I see boxes of cheap laminate in every big box around, HD, Cosco,
etc. I was never tempted to gamble on it.

Thanks for the tips!

wrote:
Any suggestions on how to go about installing a hardwood floor over a
concrete slab?


It's done all the time. Put down...

1. Vapor barrier

2. Sub floor. I used 3/4" T&G ply made for the purpose. Lay cross-wise
to the way you want your floor, stagger joints, fasten *securely* to
concrete.

3. Nail on your acclimatized floor boards. You'll need a nailer like
Porta Nailer that has an accessory shoe that changes the angle of the
cleat so it won't bottom out on the concrete. Alternative is to use 1
1/2" cleats rather than 2". The shoe is the better alternative.

--
dadiOH
____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...
....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from
LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.
Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

You really can't put down full thickness hardwood flooring onto concrete
without first building up a subfloor. Recommended thickness is 2 layers of
3/4" ply I believe. Manufacturer's now are selling 3/8"-1/2" thick
hardwood flooring that they say can be used directly on concrete. Method
of install is by gluing down the floor vs. nailing it. Check out the
websites listed above and I believe they give the details for doing this.
Cheers,
cc

wrote in message
oups.com...
Any suggestions on how to go about installing a hardwood floor over a
concrete slab?

I'd rather go wall-to-wall carpet for obvious insulation benefits but
never mind that.

Would laminate be the way to go? If so, any kind of under-material
required or recommended?

Thanks!