If you are like most people, you want to make your home beautiful. One of the ways that you can do this is by putting concrete over a hardwood floor. Is it possible?
It is possible to put a concrete floor over an existing hardwood floor. Some preparation may be necessary to ensure that everything goes smoothly but concrete, as a solid material, can be installed over hardwood even if it is not perfect.
Although it certainly is possible to install concrete over a hardwood floor, it isn’t necessarily always the best idea to do so. There are many considerations, and some of those choices may make a difference in your enjoyment of the finished product.
Can You Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
Prior to the time that you put down a concrete floor over an existing hardwood floor, you need to consider everything that is involved. The following are some of the things that will make a difference in your ability to make the switch.
First of all, you need to consider the condition of the hardwood floor before you install concrete. If there is any damage to the floor or if it is particularly dirty, you need to ensure that it is fixed properly.
Cleaning the floor, therefore, is one of the most important parts of the project. You need to sweep it carefully, perhaps even using a shop vac, and then wash it with a special solution of vinegar and water to clean up any grease and dirt.
If there are any significant areas of damage to the hardwood floor, this should be fixed as well prior to putting down the concrete. Although concrete will fill in many holes and the gaps between the wood, it may not do as good of a job if the damage is covering a large area.
If you have any loose floorboards, typically noticeable because of the squeaky floor when you walk on it, this needs to be cared for as well. You must fasten the floorboards down securely so that the movement doesn’t eventually crack the concrete and cause additional problems.
One other thing to consider is the weight of the concrete. Since concrete is heavy, it may cause the floor to sag if the floor joists are not straight. Any sagging or bulging will cause the concrete to eventually crack.
Preparing the floor may, at times, also require that you seal it before putting down the concrete. The wetness of the concrete may affect the material in the hardwood and may affect any screws that are in place.
Aside from the seal, there may be barriers that are necessary to put down. A decoupling membrane is an excellent idea for separating the hardwood floor and the concrete.
One other thing to consider is the possibility of putting down a second subfloor on top of the hardwood floor. This is a possibility that can reduce a lot of the labor involved in removing the hardwood.
There is an issue, however, that needs to be considered and that comes in the height of the floor. Since you are adding thickness for the additional subfloor and then more thickness because of the concrete floor, it will make transitions into other rooms very difficult.
Many people also don’t consider the fact that raising the floor an inch or so is going to make a difference in countertop height. It may not be overly noticeable to many people but it will make a difference for those who are detail-oriented.
Should You Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
The question as to whether you should put concrete over hardwood is different than whether you can put concrete over hardwood.
Many homeowners have successfully put concrete over hardwood and live on it every day. It can be used on stairs, decks, and floors. Since it is possible to do it, it is something to consider because concrete can be stained and can be a beautiful part of the home.
More than likely, there are going to be some personal opinions involved in whether you should put concrete over hardwood. Some people may feel that it is a waste, especially if it is possible to reinvigorate the hardwood and bring it back to its original beauty.
Concrete floors are more than a trend, they have been around for quite some time and will continue to be a popular part of home decor. That being said, it also tends to bring about an industrial feel to the home and that may not be up to the liking of all homeowners.
How To Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
If you are considering putting concrete over a hardwood floor, it’s important to follow the steps. Doing so will allow you to be successful with your project.
The most important part of installing a concrete floor is to prepare the hardwood floor properly. It has to be screwed down if it is loose and if there are any significant areas of damage, they must be repaired first. Concrete is fully capable of covering many of the imperfections with a hardwood floor but if there is any movement under the concrete, it will eventually crack the concrete.
Consider the following steps when installing concrete over hardwood:
Prepare the Floor – The floor should be thoroughly swept and washed. You need to clean the floor so that any oil, wax, or dirt is fully removed. There may also be some finishes on the floor, such as shellac that can break the bond between the wood and concrete. Sand the floor thoroughly. This can be done with a belt sander or an industrial scrubber with a sanding pad.
Fill the Joints – A patching compound can be used to fill any open joints between the wood. This can also be filled with concrete but the patching compound tends to work better.
Prime – It is important to prime the surface with a primer solution. You can brush the primer solution into all areas of the floor using a push broom. Don’t allow the primer to puddle but make sure that every area is covered.
Pour – Now it is time to pour the concrete compound across the floor. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because they will differ from one product to another.
Some of the things to pay particular attention to are the amount of work that needs to be done in order to spread the concrete and how much time is necessary for the curing process. Make sure that you don’t walk on the floor any earlier than you are supposed to.Tools Needed
You should make sure that you have the proper tools for the job. Here are some that you should keep handy:
Brooms – You will need brooms for sweeping up the floor in advance and for spreading the primer.
Shop-Vac – Although sweeping the floor will provide a good start, it is also a good idea to use a shop vac to clean up the floor even further. This will allow you to get down into the grooves and cracks. A shop vac will also be invaluable for cleaning up after the concrete is installed
Dust Mask – Since you will be dealing with a lot of dust, some of which can be dangerous, it is important to wear the proper PPE. A dust mask (preferably an N-95) will help to protect your respiratory system
Trowels – These tools will help to keep the concrete smooth and to make a proper surface.
Jointer tool – This can be used both before and after the concrete is laid.
Sander – Using a small belt sander will work well for smaller areas but you can also rent an industrial scrubber and use a sanding pad.
Dust Collecting – Make sure that you have a method of collecting and containing dust. Putting concrete over hardwood is a dirty job and it can quickly spread to other parts of the home.
Any Special Prep Needed
For the most part, there is some special preparation necessary for all concrete over hardwood floor projects.
The most important thing to prepare the hardwood for concrete is to ensure that it is clean and free of issues. This would include anything that would cause the hardwood to move, even slightly, under the concrete. You also want to clean the floor thoroughly to remove any dirt, wax, or grime.
Most people tend to skip much of the preparation process but doing so can be a large problem. Any issues with the hardwood are going to show up in some way or another in the concrete and at times, could ruin the concrete.
If you have any doubts as to whether the hardwood can handle the concrete overlay, either remove the hardwood or put down a thin secondary subfloor.
Many people have successfully installed concrete over a hardwood floor. It is a beautiful addition to the home that can last for many years. As long as you prepare the subfloor properly and ensure that it is free of defects, you can go ahead and pour the concrete.
If you are like most people, you want to make your home beautiful. One of the ways that you can do this is by putting concrete over a hardwood floor. Is it possible?
It is possible to put a concrete floor over an existing hardwood floor. Some preparation may be necessary to ensure that everything goes smoothly but concrete, as a solid material, can be installed over hardwood even if it is not perfect.
Although it certainly is possible to install concrete over a hardwood floor, it isn’t necessarily always the best idea to do so. There are many considerations, and some of those choices may make a difference in your enjoyment of the finished product.
Can You Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
Prior to the time that you put down a concrete floor over an existing hardwood floor, you need to consider everything that is involved. The following are some of the things that will make a difference in your ability to make the switch.
First of all, you need to consider the condition of the hardwood floor before you install concrete. If there is any damage to the floor or if it is particularly dirty, you need to ensure that it is fixed properly.
Cleaning the floor, therefore, is one of the most important parts of the project. You need to sweep it carefully, perhaps even using a shop vac, and then wash it with a special solution of vinegar and water to clean up any grease and dirt.
If there are any significant areas of damage to the hardwood floor, this should be fixed as well prior to putting down the concrete. Although concrete will fill in many holes and the gaps between the wood, it may not do as good of a job if the damage is covering a large area.
If you have any loose floorboards, typically noticeable because of the squeaky floor when you walk on it, this needs to be cared for as well. You must fasten the floorboards down securely so that the movement doesn’t eventually crack the concrete and cause additional problems.
One other thing to consider is the weight of the concrete. Since concrete is heavy, it may cause the floor to sag if the floor joists are not straight. Any sagging or bulging will cause the concrete to eventually crack.
Preparing the floor may, at times, also require that you seal it before putting down the concrete. The wetness of the concrete may affect the material in the hardwood and may affect any screws that are in place.
Aside from the seal, there may be barriers that are necessary to put down. A decoupling membrane is an excellent idea for separating the hardwood floor and the concrete.
One other thing to consider is the possibility of putting down a second subfloor on top of the hardwood floor. This is a possibility that can reduce a lot of the labor involved in removing the hardwood.
There is an issue, however, that needs to be considered and that comes in the height of the floor. Since you are adding thickness for the additional subfloor and then more thickness because of the concrete floor, it will make transitions into other rooms very difficult.
Many people also don’t consider the fact that raising the floor an inch or so is going to make a difference in countertop height. It may not be overly noticeable to many people but it will make a difference for those who are detail-oriented.
Should You Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
The question as to whether you should put concrete over hardwood is different than whether you can put concrete over hardwood.
Many homeowners have successfully put concrete over hardwood and live on it every day. It can be used on stairs, decks, and floors. Since it is possible to do it, it is something to consider because concrete can be stained and can be a beautiful part of the home.
More than likely, there are going to be some personal opinions involved in whether you should put concrete over hardwood. Some people may feel that it is a waste, especially if it is possible to reinvigorate the hardwood and bring it back to its original beauty.
Concrete floors are more than a trend, they have been around for quite some time and will continue to be a popular part of home decor. That being said, it also tends to bring about an industrial feel to the home and that may not be up to the liking of all homeowners.
How To Put Concrete Over Hardwood Floor
If you are considering putting concrete over a hardwood floor, it’s important to follow the steps. Doing so will allow you to be successful with your project.
The most important part of installing a concrete floor is to prepare the hardwood floor properly. It has to be screwed down if it is loose and if there are any significant areas of damage, they must be repaired first. Concrete is fully capable of covering many of the imperfections with a hardwood floor but if there is any movement under the concrete, it will eventually crack the concrete.
Consider the following steps when installing concrete over hardwood:
Prepare the Floor – The floor should be thoroughly swept and washed. You need to clean the floor so that any oil, wax, or dirt is fully removed. There may also be some finishes on the floor, such as shellac that can break the bond between the wood and concrete. Sand the floor thoroughly. This can be done with a belt sander or an industrial scrubber with a sanding pad.
Fill the Joints – A patching compound can be used to fill any open joints between the wood. This can also be filled with concrete but the patching compound tends to work better.
Prime – It is important to prime the surface with a primer solution. You can brush the primer solution into all areas of the floor using a push broom. Don’t allow the primer to puddle but make sure that every area is covered.
Pour – Now it is time to pour the concrete compound across the floor. Make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions because they will differ from one product to another.
Some of the things to pay particular attention to are the amount of work that needs to be done in order to spread the concrete and how much time is necessary for the curing process. Make sure that you don’t walk on the floor any earlier than you are supposed to.
Tools Needed
You should make sure that you have the proper tools for the job. Here are some that you should keep handy:
Brooms – You will need brooms for sweeping up the floor in advance and for spreading the primer.
Shop-Vac – Although sweeping the floor will provide a good start, it is also a good idea to use a shop vac to clean up the floor even further. This will allow you to get down into the grooves and cracks. A shop vac will also be invaluable for cleaning up after the concrete is installed
Dust Mask – Since you will be dealing with a lot of dust, some of which can be dangerous, it is important to wear the proper PPE. A dust mask (preferably an N-95) will help to protect your respiratory system
Trowels – These tools will help to keep the concrete smooth and to make a proper surface.
Jointer tool – This can be used both before and after the concrete is laid.
Sander – Using a small belt sander will work well for smaller areas but you can also rent an industrial scrubber and use a sanding pad.
Copyright protected content owner: ReadyToDIY.com and was initially posted on November 13, 2021.
Dust Collecting – Make sure that you have a method of collecting and containing dust. Putting concrete over hardwood is a dirty job and it can quickly spread to other parts of the home.
– Any Special Prep Needed
For the most part, there is some special preparation necessary for all concrete over hardwood floor projects.
The most important thing to prepare the hardwood for concrete is to ensure that it is clean and free of issues. This would include anything that would cause the hardwood to move, even slightly, under the concrete. You also want to clean the floor thoroughly to remove any dirt, wax, or grime.
Most people tend to skip much of the preparation process but doing so can be a large problem. Any issues with the hardwood are going to show up in some way or another in the concrete and at times, could ruin the concrete.
If you have any doubts as to whether the hardwood can handle the concrete overlay, either remove the hardwood or put down a thin secondary subfloor.
Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on November 13, 2021.
Many people have successfully installed concrete over a hardwood floor. It is a beautiful addition to the home that can last for many years. As long as you prepare the subfloor properly and ensure that it is free of defects, you can go ahead and pour the concrete.
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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on November 13, 2021.
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