Hardwood Floor Installation Newbie

[carlosmiranda]

Hello,

I have a problem. im working on a little project and we have just decided to change our floors in some areas from travertine marble to 3/4" hardwood floors. this is over a concrete slab. we did some prior "rough leveling", but since it was for marble tile we didnt worry to much, but now since it is for a hardwood floor i need a self leveling undelayment that can level the floor to acceptable levels... any suggestions? please remember that it is a concrete subfloor with a 1/8"-5/8" mortar be. appreciate any help and guidance

[Floorguy]

carlosmiranda said Hello, I have a problem. 3/4" hardwood floors. this is over a concrete slab.

Bad idea. ¾" solid wood is a staple or nail down, only. Check with the wood mill and see if they recommend going over concrete with their product.

[Kman]

Perry, there's a glue out there now that the manufacturer says will work gluing 3/4" over concrete. I haven't used it, but have been told it's very difficult to trowel out, almost like epoxy, smells pretty bad, but sticks like a son-of-a-gun.

The reservation I would have would be getting a 3/4" to fit tight and stay there. You know some of those get a little warped and are hard enough to get in with the nailer. I can't imagine trying to pull them in by hand, and I have no idea how you would get them to stay there once you did.

so apparently 3/4" hardwood over concrete not a good idea. what about if i chip off the leveling grout i used before and maybe reduce a bit more and then gun down to the concrete a 3/4" plywood to use as a nailer?

[Kman]

That's usually the way it's done, although there are some guidelines to follow when putting the plywood down on concrete.

Here's another thread on it:

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