How to Install Wood Flooring Over a Concrete Slab

Wood flooring is typically nailed down, but what if you have concrete floors? Concrete slabs are typical in homes that don't have a basement and the house may have been built directly onto the slab. In this case, you can still have wood flooring, you just have to use a different application method to install it.

When purchasing wood flooring for your home, look for systems that can be installed with wood floor adhesive. Normally, these are tongue and groove planks that are nearly indistinguishable from standard wood flooring.

Step 1: Clean the concrete slab thoroughly and make any necessary repairs. There should be no cracks or uneven portions on the concrete. Fix all of these problems before beginning and remove any stain that may affect the adhesion of the flooring to the surface. You should also remove any baseboards or trim that may obstruct the area for the flooring.

Step 2: Spread wood floor adhesive along one wall, in a row approximately four feet deep. Use a notched trowel to spread the adhesive is small strokes.

Step 3: Press the wood into place over the wood floor adhesive. Leave a small gap between the wood flooring and the surrounding walls: a half inch is standard. Many wood flooring systems offer spacers to help you install the correctly sized gap.

Step 4: Cut the planks as necessary to fit the length of the space.

Step 4: Continue by installing the next row of planks. Use a piece of scrap wood and a rubber mallet to hit the row of wood so it binds with the tongue and groove flooring next to it. There should be no gaps between the rows.

Step 5: Continue applying rows of wood flooring until all of the adhesive is covered. Then apply more adhesive and install another section of wood flooring. Continue adding rows of flooring until the concrete slab is covered.

Step 6: Install the last row by cutting the boards lengthwise with a table or circular saw to fit the space. Be sure to leave enough room for the half inch gap.