For one there s less insulation.
Floating engineered floor on concrete.
Glued down means using a bonding agent adhesive or glue which is put directly onto the subfloor before laying any of your engineered wood flooring.
Some engineered wood flooring products are designed for a glue down application when installing flooring over a concrete slab.
This article however focuses only on the glue down application.
The planks glue together to create a floor that floats moves freely as a unit.
500 750 square feet of coverage.
Floating engineered wood flooring problems mainly come from moisture and not taking the proper steps to ensure the wood is protected from underneath the main drawback of using a floating floor installation for the engineered wood is the initial extra step to secure the boards.
Installing engineered wood flooring is a great project for the diyer who desires the look of a professional wood floor with the strength and longevity offered by its sturdy design.
Nail down and floating floor installations will be covered in parts 2 and 3 of this article series.
If you are installing a locking or floating floor not attached to the subfloor just make sure that the subfloor is clean.
As an installation method glued down is most suited for either concrete or wood subfloors.
How to install a base for a concrete floor.
If your subfloor is concrete cover it with a wood or engineered wood subfloor first.
The surface can t be slick heavily troweled or burnished.
Follow these steps to install an engineered wood floor in your home.
Engineered wood flooring offers the timeless look of hardwood but is perfect for basements and other areas where moisture can be an issue.
As needed use a concrete grinder you may want to rent one to remove any coating and to slightly roughen the concrete surface so the adhesive will stick.
Also the possibility of dampness however small is greater when there are fewer membranes between your concrete foundation and your floating floor.
Installing a floating engineered hardwood floor works well at any grade level and over most types of subfloor surfaces.
You need to leave a 5 16 inch gap between the flooring and the baseboard or wall around the perimeter of the room to allow the floor enough space to expand.
A floating engineered wood flooring installation on concrete can be an excellent choice if your subfloor is below grade.
Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet which provides cushioning and sound dampening.
Floating vs glued down engineered wood flooring.
Cost skill level.
Laying down your floating flooring directly onto concrete is a no no.
For the floor adhesive to properly stick the floor must be clean.