Solid Vs. Engineered Floor Wood Over Concrete

Wood flooring has many variations for installation, depending on the type of wood.

Replacing the flooring in a home, such as solid wood or engineered wood, requires specific installation parameters for the flooring to adhere correctly to the floor. There are differences between how pure wood and engineered wood is laid on concrete.

Solid Wood

Specifically, solid wood installation needs to have a moisture barrier, in the form of an asphalt felt or poly film, laid over the concrete before laying the wood down. Wood is extremely susceptible to contraction and expansion if subjected to moisture, causing aberrations in the flooring connections.

Engineered Wood

On the other hand, engineered wood is a manufactured type of flooring involving many layers of wood adhered together. This type of flooring is not vulnerable to moisture, so it can be floated or glued directly to the concrete.

Significance

Without the need for a moisture barrier, the installation of engineered wood is simpler than hardwood. This simplicity is translated into less time needed for installation, resulting in less labor charges from a flooring company than a comparably sized solid wood flooring installation.

References

• Hardwood Installer: Installation of Hardwood Floors On Concrete