I was considering using Bruce's Coastal Woodlands 3/8" engineered red oak or Plantation Beechhttp://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/h ... dlands.htm . It seems to be a decent quality product for the money and it says it can be done over concrete. My husband is a woodworker but as far as flooring goes he has only installed Pergo flooring once before. I thought it would be best to install a plywood subfloor rather than attempt to level the concrete. Is this the best way to do it for a beginner? This is a new house being built by a large national home builder. They overcharge for any upgrades and the installers are not always the most highly skilled. These are the reasons we decided to do it ourselves. Thanks for any input.

Installing a plywood subfloor over concrete will not necessarily resolve any leveling isues. And I've seen plenty of plywood over concrete subfloors fail, so it isn't easier. What you may consider instead is trying to get your home builder to bring your concrete subfloor into spec. If they refuse to flaten the subfloor, then you could hire someone just for that part. Then install the flooring yourselves. I will say gluing down to concrete isn't easy but it can be done by the novice if you follow all the instructions to the lettter.

I would not try and gluedown Coastal woodlands as a DIY job!!!

I struggled when I installed it as a gluedown. Once you place that wide long plank in the glue, it is a death match to try and get the T&G to seat. The glue grabs all that surface and it don't want to move.


If you ask me, that is a floating floor only!!!