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Hi All

Have seen differing opinions on the best way to approach this. Whilst realising that solid wood is naturally subject to expand and contract especially over concrete, any experiences would be welcomed.

Under consideration is laying 18mm x 120mm solid prefinished oak boards directly onto a concrete floor in my entrance hallway. Boards are normal T&G not click and lock etc. The existing concrete floor is 12 years old, dry and level. Moisture content should be minimal though not tested.

Hall way is 4 ft wide, 16 ft long and then opens out to a wider landing area about 8 ft x 8 ft at the bottom of the stairs. Total floor area is around 15 sq yards or if preferred 12 sq metres approx.

Question: Which is better?

1. Glue the T&G boards together as the floor is laid and float the floor over the concrete on a DPM underlay and leave sufficient expansion gaps around the walls?

2. Glue the boards directly to the concrete floor with a flexi adhesive without glueing the T&G and leave some room for expansion in the floor itself?

3. Should I use a thicker flooring board e.g 22mm in this situation or is this irrelevant to the stability of the floor ?

I cannot afford extra height in the floor from using batons on top of the concrete so I have ruled that out. I am also not keen on using engineered/veneered wood although of course it might be more stable over concrete. It is also my intention to install a matwell at the door entrance to limit ingress of dirt and moisture etc...

Any further considerations I need to take in this situation ? Comments/thoughts appreciated.

Hi Rogue
personally i would lay an underlay with a built in DPM and glue the boards.
Usually engineered flooring is preferable if laying on solid floor.

hope this helps

Thanks for that. Have just spoken to a local installer who tells me that within the past year or so they have changed their installation method for solid wood floors over concrete. They used to glue the floors to the concrete with flexi adhesive but now they use this.

I see this method mentioned in a previous post also. Basically it involves floating the solid wood over an underlay which is sticky on one side. This underlay is laid sticky side up so that it adheres to the underside of the wood floor and then allows the entire floor to float over the concrete.

This also has the advantage of a DPM and as far as I could make out no glue is required on the T&G. Would be interested to hear from anyone who has used this method and if it works well or has disadvantages. For example does this leave the floor somewhat springy underfoot?

By the way I could be wrong on the no glue on the T&G but that was the way I took him up as being the point of using this sticky underlay in the first place. However it seems a very loose way to lay solid wood that has no locking system between boards.

i m trying to figure it out but so far no luck that sticky underlay sold by b&q and even if you want their diy video they also use that one but staff dont know anything about that underlay so

Try this link for more info [url]http://www.elastilon.com/

There is instructions on that site including a video which can be downloaded as to how to lay solid wood floor using the sticky underlay method.

wasim21k I see you have had a few posts expressing difficulty getting this underlay in Ireland. B&Q is not the only supplier of DIY materials in Ireland and most Builder Suppliers are way better both in terms of quality of material and value for money. That is my experience anyway.

If you are having difficulty sourcing this in Republic of Ireland, you can try Brennans Furniture in Monaghan as I know they definitely stock a type of sticky underlay at around €6 per sqm. May or may not be Elastilon - I dont know. Alternatively ring any Builders Suppliers in your area for advice and Im sure they will point you in the right direction.

If you Google "Brennans Furniture Clontibret" you will get their phone no. I should emhasise I have no connection with them apart from my own enquiries with them into using this method. However it may be of some help to you if all else fails.

thanks for idea but i got sticky underlay and gave back coz i m going t&g glue method coz sticky underlay i m bit confused as wookd expand and contract so how about gap between boars when wood contract?