skip to main content

Glue or float engineered hardwood to slab

4 years ago

I know this is an age old question. I’ve read most pros say refer to installation manual- which I’ve read at length.

Installation of our 3/8 inch click hardwood says primary method - float, alternate method - urethane glue.

Our slab is mostly flat, has a few low spots which can be leveled.

Our installer prefers to glue. But between purchasing the glue, and paying more in labor to glue... i’m Wondering if it’s truly worth it. He says walking on floating floors can sound louder or that tongue and groove can wear over the years and start coming up. Looking for more opinions. Thank you.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

PRO
Unique Wood Floors
4 years ago
Thanks for posting the question. It is a classic question that comes more often recently. I would go with glue down for 2 reasons:

1. You will get a firm and permanent floor with no up and down movement once it is glued down properly.

2. No overlap transition and surface mount vents needed, so there is no bumps anywhere.

Overlap Reducer

Surface Mount Vent

Hope my 2 cents helps.
SJ McCarthy
4 years ago
It is highly dependent on the AGE of your slab. If it is older than mid-1980's build, then you have a HIGH chance that you do not have a vapour barrier underneath. That means your glue costs just when up. You have to move to the big boys of glue = $2-$3/sf just for the material. The labour costs will keep going up.

A floating floor can be stabilized by leveling the subfloor and using something like 6mm cork underlay to help with the 'solid' feeling under foot. A properly installed floating hardwood floor with cork underlay should feel as solid as a glue down floor.

I've seen it time and time again. Start with the age of the slab and then make your decision from there.
Related Discussions
Glue between planks for floating hardwood floors
Q
Comments (3)
have you tried this link? Here is a link that might be useful: Br-111 installation
...See More
Engineered hardwood: glue or float?
Q
Comments (1)
I can't tell you the technical specifics of glue versus float, but what I can tell you is that I would never float a floor, for the sole reason I hate the hollow sound when you walk on them. And I have walked on a floating floor with "isoloation padding" as well, but it still sounds too hollow to me. So to me it would be worth the extra money to glue it down.
...See More
Engineered Hardwood Installation - Float vs Glue or Nail
Q
Comments (4)
Before you glue to the concrete, I would like to know a few things: 1. Is the slab on, above or at grade (on the ground, above the ground or below the ground)? 2. How old is the house/slab? Old homes have issues with moisture (moisture barriers were not consistently used until the late 1980's - mid 1990's (depending on where you live). As someone who is overly cautious with hardwoods and concrete slabs, I like to be QUADRUPLE sure that a glue down is an option. And even then I would consider floating if I am not 100% sure of moisture readings. As an aside, I've read the technical specifications of this floor. I would say they are underwhelming at best. This is a 9.5mm engineered hardwood with 1.2mm wear layer. It is 5" wide (which could indicate 'glue assist' would be a good idea). This floor consists of short lengths. The longest plank will be LESS THAN 48" (states 47" as the longest plank) with an average plank length of 29.5" (less than 3ft). At $2.25/sf, it will cost more to install the product than the product is worth. I hope your installer is aware of all these shorts. Shorts make for a LONG install. And the longer it takes to install the product, the higher the price you pay the installer. I wish you luck. I really hope the 1.2mm wear layer stays attached to the 9.5mm thick plank. To do that, you will need EXCEPTIONAL humidity control. As in you need a super-duper high-end HVAC system that can have humidity added/removed with the touch of a button.
...See More
What hardwood or engineered hardwood product best for concrete slab?
Q
Comments (21)
Leather is the most 'recognizable' pattern for cork (other than the ground up cork board look). When it is laid it looks like hardwood flooring using 'shorts'. It has a bit of a brick look to it. Ignore the 'pink' in the samples. The pink is the very first colour to fade away. It takes a few months for the pink to disappear but once it is gone the cork (Leather and Logan) will look more like oak in tone (yellowish with some hints of green and some gray). It is a 'directional pattern' which means it has a 'linear' sense to it. The Logan is the most expensive cork pattern you can get. The slices of pattern are random. They are hand cut and hand laid. It takes *roughly an hour for 1 person to arrange 10sf of the pattern. It is STUNNING. It looks more like stone. It is random...did I mention the pattern is random? Leather and Logan can have the extra 2 coats of the Loba 2K Supra AT = super tough. The Latte is a FANTASTICLY tough finish. It has the polypropylene finish on it. This is the 'non-vinyl' product Cancork sells. It is tough....right after that it is SUPER TOUGH. And then for good measure, it is TOUGH!!! For a Rental property, the Latte is a product I would recommend. It does NOT need the Loba product. That means you save $1.50/sf RIGHT AWAY. It can handle 3mm or 6mm cork underlay. If you are looking for temperature control, then I like the 6mm underneath...but CHECK your door heights, etc. All you need to do is take your floor sample and the underlay sample they sent you (their supposed to do that...sigh) and see if it 'slips' underneath the doors in your home. It is that simple. I hope that helps... As for the Tacoma...I'm guessing you are looking at KILOGRAMS (700 kg) as your weight limit = 1540 lbs. The weight of a standard skid of cork flooring = 1000sf (ish...depends on the product) = *roughly 2000 lbs. And the skid sizes are PERFECT to fit between the wheel wells of a truck bed. I've watched this stuff get loaded into pick-up trucks for 6+ years. A forklift operator can drop that baby into your truck (so long as you do NOT have a 'cap-it') and off you go. If you only have a short way to go, the 2000 lbs won't be much of a problem...I just wouldn't do a trip to Bella Coola with it. ;-)
...See More

Related Stories

MATERIALS What to Ask Before Choosing a Hardwood Floor

By Mitchell Parker

We give you the details on cost, installation, wood varieties and more to help you pick the right hardwood flooring

REMODELING GUIDES When to Use Engineered Wood Floors

See why an engineered wood floor could be your best choice (and no one will know but you)

REMODELING GUIDES What to Know About Engineered Wood Floors

By South Hill Interiors

Engineered wood flooring offers classic looks and durability. It can work with a range of subfloors, including concrete

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Hardwood Floors

By Bonnie McCarthy

Gleaming wood floors are a thing of beauty. Find out how to keep them that way

FLOORS Will Cork Float for Your Bathroom Floor?

By Rachel Grace

Get the facts on advantages, disadvantages, costs and installation to see if a cork bathroom floor is right for you

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Tips: Smooth Moves for Hardwood Floors

By Buckminster Green LLC

Dreaming of gorgeous, natural wood floors? Consider these professional pointers before you lay the first plank

REMODELING GUIDES Transition Time: How to Connect Tile and Hardwood Floors

By By Any Design Ltd.

Plan ahead to prevent unsightly or unsafe transitions between floor surfaces. Here's what you need to know

DECKS Decking Materials Beyond Basic Lumber

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn about softwoods, tropical hardwoods, composites and more for decks, including pros, cons and costs

FLOORS 6 Alternative Flooring Ideas to Kick Up Your Style

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Rubber, cork, concrete and other materials are worthy options in lieu of hardwood or tile

KITCHEN DESIGN 11 Must-Haves in a Designer’s Dream Kitchen

By Toronto Interior Design Group

Custom cabinets, a slab backsplash, drawer dishwashers — what’s on your wish list?

Sponsored

J.S. Brown & Co.

77 Reviews

Columbus Leading Full Service Design Build Firm

More Discussions

Anyone install CoreTec Sea Salt?

4

Flooret Modin Signature Nakan or COREtec Ravenswood Oak?

0

Which direction for vinyl planks?

11

site finished engineered-is this a good deal?

3

Laminate Flooring Out of Stock

1