How To Install Plywood On Concrete

How to Install a Subfloor Over Concrete.

The National Forest Floor Association bug guidelines for installing wood subfloor over concrete. In that location are several subfloor installation methods, each with its own guidelines, including:

Floated subfloors
Glue-down subfloors
Smash-down subfloors
Screen systems

Follow these installation guidelines when installing a woods subfloor.

How to Install a Floated Subfloor Over Physical

For above-grade applications, your flooring manufacturer should provide recommendations for installing a floated subfloor. For on-grade and below-form installations, all the same, NWFA guidelines recommend a vapor retarder someday you're installing solid ¾" woods flooring over physical. A vapor retarder is required nether the following conditions:

Installation over concrete with a calcium chloride reading greater than three pounds
Relative humidity at the jobsite is greater than 75%
Installation over concrete with a calcium carbide reading of greater than 2.5 percent.

In one case you lot've installed a vapor retarder, install your subfloor. To install a floated subfloor arrangement, commencement place a layer of plywood subfloor panels with the edges parallel to the wall. Use a ¾" spacer betwixt the plywood and the wall and a 1/8" spacer between panels.

Next, lay a 2nd layer of plywood at a 45-degree angle to the first layer. Once again, use spacers to exit gaps between panels and at the walls.

Finally, using a 12" interior filigree pattern, staple or glue the two plywood layers to one another, being careful non to puncture the vapor retarder. Utilize a half dozen" staple pattern at the perimeter of the subfloor.

How to Install a Glued Subfloor Over Concrete

Cheque your flooring manufacturer's recommendations to ensure you're using a proper subfloor. As with a floated subfloor, NWFA recommends a vapor retarder for mucilage-down subfloors when installing ¾" wood floor over concrete.

Later on installing a vapor retarder (if necessary), cutting your plywood panels into 2'x8' or iv'x4' sections. The NWFA recommends plywood with a minimal thickness of ¾". Score the panels to a depth of half their thickness using a 12" x 12" grid. Employ an approved adhesive and lay the plywood sections in a staggered joint pattern, with 1/8" spacers between sheets and ¾" spacers at walls.

How to Install a Nail-Down Subfloor Over Concrete

As with other installation methods, a moisture-command vapor retarder is recommended for on-grade and beneath-grade nail-down installations. Plywood subfloor panels of 5/8" thickness or higher are recommended.

To brainstorm, stagger console joints and utilise 1/8" spacers between panels. This will prevent panels from peaking due to swelling caused by heat and humidity. Apply ¾" spacers confronting walls and other vertical obstructions.

To nail downward the subfloor, always use a mechanical system such every bit a powder load or pneumatic pressure boom gun. Get-go at the eye to prevent bowing, fasten the subfloor using a 12" x 12" grid on the interior and every 6-viii" along the perimeter (ii" from the console edge).

How to Install a Woods Subfloor Over Concrete with Screeds

Engineered forest floor less than ¾" thick and solid plank floor 4" or wider cannot be installed directly to screeds, so if you're installing our broad plank flooring, you'll need to overlay a plywood over the screed arrangement. More details for installing over screeds is available here.