Solid Wood Floor - Float or Fix

[DACMAN]

Hi,
I've just bought solid oak flooring it will be laid on a concrete floor, I'd prefer to install this as a floating floor ( this way I can install underlay plus I've already done this with a semi-solid & it worked out fine) rather than glueing it directly to the concrete, the DIY outlets recommendation is to glue, has anyone had experience good or bad! of floating a solid wood floor?

Thanks
DACMAN

 

[johnjoda]

Re: Solid Wood Floor - Foat or Fix

Hi, a far better job is to float the solid flooring, use battens express nailed to existing floor, insulate between battens, then lay flooring not forgetting to leave the recommended expansion joints as you go.
The benefits of this method is you can level the floor if required as you lay the battens, if there are high points plane the batten down, any low points pack the batten before you fix.

 

[Roundy#]

Re: Solid Wood Floor - Foat or Fix

Hi, a far better job is to float the solid flooring, use battens express nailed to existing floor, insulate between battens, then lay flooring not forgetting to leave the recommended expansion joints as you go.
The benefits of this method is you can level the floor if required as you lay the battens, if there are high points plane the batten down, any low points pack the batten before you fix.

It's worth considering possible steps this will cause to aother adjacent rooms.....
I've solid oak floors, glued down. The concrete floor was level and had a low moisture reading..........great job, the solid feel you get under foot is great...no hollow sound

 

[O'Fla]

Re: Soild Wood Floor - Float or Fix

Dacman go the whole hog. Put down a layer of under lay first so as to prevent any moisture coming from the concrete as this will rot the wood. When you have done this then lay 1/2 or 3/4 inch board to the floor and drill down through the concrete normally 6 holes in each board when this is done put bolts in each hole and hammer down into the concrete. When this is done then lay the flooring. This will give you a solid floor and should prevent creeking in the floorboards it will also make it easier when you are nailing down the floor. Hope this helps.

 

[chrisboy]

Re: Solid Wood Floor - Foat or Fix

It's worth considering possible steps this will cause to aother adjacent rooms.....
I've solid oak floors, glued down. The concrete floor was level and had a low moisture reading..........great job, the solid feel you get under foot is great...no hollow sound

I glued mine. Much simpler job, and ya cant hear anyone walking across it..

 

[O'Fla]

Re: Solid Wood Floor - Foat or Fix

I glued mine. Much simpler job, and ya cant hear anyone walking across it..

Sometimes the easier way is not the best way as I said go the whole hog. If the jobs worth doing it's worth doing right.