Can hardwood floors go over a slab? (engineered, refinish, installing)
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We are looking at condos built on slab and they install "engineered" hardwood saying real hardwood can't go over a slab but I'm pretty sure I've seen that before.
Thoughts?
You can but not directly. The issue is with moisture you need a barrier down under the wood this is normally a multiple layer thing starting with a vapor barrier then plywood ontoo of that and fastened down then you can put hardwood over top of that. It will look terrible against tile that is set on slab though because the new base is about an inch above the slab.
Real hardwood should be put down on a slab on screeds which is not a direct application to the slab. WE use a black mastic to primarily glue the screeds in place. We use a few Ramsets to insure they don't move.
Yes; it can be installed directly to concrete slab. There have been major improvements in adhesives that both seal and adhere.
The subject was discussed a few years back- if you do a search I'm sure you can find it, and my comments and recommendations about a certain brand that seems to do better than most others.
It has little to do with "moisture" and much to do with COST including speed of installation / loss of height. Once concrete is fully cured it is more stable than most other structural materials. The construction details should ensure that the concrete is not going to wick any moisture in from the ground or rain. If that happens it really does not matter about the flooring, the whole interior can be a moldy nightmare.
Modern barriers designed to be selectively permeable to water vapor can't be nailed through. That means after the barrier goes down the finish flooring needs to be attached to either a whole layer of subflooring or the depicted sleepers or "screeds". That goes MUCH slower than most flooring crews accustomed to full subfloor move, and adds a whole other costly step to the process.
In contrast, engineering floors are considered "floating" and each piece interlocks with adjacent pieces. Many have an integrated backing that makes for super fast installation. The whole system can be done by installers with no special skills.
The folks that SELL condos are notorious for making up stories and that highlights one reason why folks that know better really try to avoid BUYING from such less-than-truthful hucksters...
Our condo is on a slab and we have engineered hardwood over it. We are not the original owners, so we were not there obviously to see how they were installed. I am curious what is between the wood and the slab. I have to believe their is a moisture barrier of some sort. Our place was built in 2010. So far, no problems at all.
In my present and last home we had pre-finished engineered hardwood glued to the concrete slab and it has been great. Engineered hardwood is real wood that is built up in layers much like plywood is. The better (more expensive) products have a thick top layer (the finished layer) that can be refinished at least once and maybe twice.
Ugh...engineered is real hardwood. Its made of wood you know. Why don't people get it? The correct term is solid wood and I have both, both using glue down installation. We have engineered in the kitchen as I was told that it is best for kitchens.
Nobody said the engineered wood flooring is not "real wood". I specifically said that because of the way that it interlocks and has attached backing it is far faster to install for situations like condos or any place with a concrete slab. As others said, some manufacturers use a veneer that is too thin to ever refinish while others use a thicker layer. The factory finishes vary from "50 year warranty" types that are generally cured in a controlled way with UV lights and such to less durable coatings that do not hold up as well to household spills as good quality site finished hardwoods.
The OP should be asking the condo sellers about what sorts of warranty they offer, but as the seller's representative has already been making up stories they should get the warranty in writing.
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