Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | Dec 30, 2006 11:39pm | #1

   Ask the manufacturer. 

   The problem with these installations is water transfer into and out of the flooring from the slab, and the resulting expansion/contraction of the flooring. 

   How much of a problem this is, depends on how moisture sensitive the flooring is, and how much of a moisture cycle you have. 

   When I did the floor at my Mom's I put down a vapor barrier, and overlaid the concrete floor with 3/4 plywood underlayment, and then floated a 1/2-inch, 7 ply, engineered wood floor over that.  Her home is a 70-s vintage slab on grade with PVC plumbing run in the slab.  An earthquake cracked the slab, and flooded the house.  By installing the underlayment, it should bridge and float over any future cracks that may occur. 

   I might have done something different, but she wanted the sunken living room eliminated, and since I had to raise over half the floor any way, it wasn't too much of an increase to put the plywood over everything else. 

   A word of advice:  If you go with an engineered wood floor, keep the finish color as close to natural as you can.  Most brands don't stain the wood, the color is in the finish.  If you scratch the finish, it is nearly impossible to match the color.  A clear finish you can touch up with a good chance of success. 

2. 
   custombuilt | Dec 31, 2006 01:58am | #2

   How we do it (in my days of laying tile and hardwood)

   1.  make shure the slab is in good shape.... smooth, uncracked, ect.

   2. Use manufactured flooring.....  much more stable--

   3.  By the special hardwood slab glue...    hmm can't remember the name, in a blue and white bucket for around 30 buckers. 

   4.  Stretch, Eat your wheaties, put on your kneepads

   Good luck

1. 
   BillHartmann | Dec 31, 2006 02:12am | #3

   "2. Use manufactured flooring..... much more stable--"99.3% of all flooring is manufacture. A few people will mill there own solid wood floors, but that is very rare with respect to the total amount of flooring installed.And I don't know of anyone that has tried to make their own laminate, vinyl, or lineolum flooring.Did you mean engineered wood flooring..
   .
   A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.

1. 
   custombuilt | Dec 31, 2006 04:06am | #4

   yes i meant engineered 1/4inch or 3/8  inch

   glued down solid wood flooring is like a nightmare waiting to happen

    

    When in doubt, get a bigger hammer!