Nail Installation: This is the most economical way to install a wood floor. However, this option requires that your home have either a plywood or OSB sub-floor construction. If your home’s sub-floor is constructed of particle board it is not advisable for you to nail your floor to it, as it does not provide much holding power and is more likely to develop squeaks. For this reason manufacturers will not warranty their product when installed over particle board.
Glue or Float Installation: Concrete is a mixture of lime, rock, and water. Since wood floors have a tendency to expand or cup when exposed to water or excessive moisture, special products suitable for glue-down or float installation have been developed for use on concrete sub-floors. These products compose a barrier which prevents the moisture from reaching the wood.
*Prior to installation, the moisture level of both your subfloor and your wood flooring will be checked. Readings are recorded to confirm levels are within manufacturer’s guidelines.
Glue: Gluing wood to a slab is one of the most common methods to install wood floors. When a quality adhesive is used and installed properly, it is rare that any problems will occur. Occasionally however, a shallow area on the slab will not receive enough adhesive and the floor will release from the glue; this only requires an inexpensive glue injection to remedy the problem.
Float: Float installations are becoming increasingly more popular. They are relatively easy for the homeowner to install. Float floor products utilize either a conventional tongue-and-groove or a snap-lock system. Several manufacturers do not require glue to be used on their snap-lock systems but glue is needed for the conventional tongue-and-groove floated floors. Typically a special pad is rolled out over the subfloor and the wood flooring is then assembled on top of the pad as one large panel.
