Sep 18 2006
Many homeowners believe that wood floors are out of the question for slab construction, but advances in wood flooring, and the methods used to install them, make wood floors ideal for slab homes.
Engineered wood flooring products are recommended for slab installations. Engineered wood floors are real wood floors that are manufactured using three to five layers of wood veneers. The grain of each layer runs in opposite directions, which makes it very stable, and less susceptible to moisture, making them ideal for slab installations.
Adhesives are used most often with engineered wood flooring. There are three types of wood flooring adhesives available on the market today. They include water-based, solvent-based, and moisture-curing urethanes. Each adhesive type has differing bond strength and performance characteristics. Your wood flooring professional will be able to recommend the best adhesive for your needs.
Engineered wood floors also can be floated over concrete. Using this installation method, the floor is attached to itself side to side, and literally "floats" over the subfloor. Floating engineered wood floors are extremely durable and dimensionally stable.
No matter which installation method you use, both require the same degree of jobsite preparation to ensure a successful installation.