Hi I am installing engineered Hickory Planks (5 layer) over a concrete subfloor that is below grade in Colorado. The concrete is over 10 years old so it is fully cured, plus it is dry, clean and thick (over 4 inches). The wood I am installing is a Robina engineered Hickory. Each plank is 5 inches wide and about 4 feet long. I am a little confused as to how to prepare to glue down the floor to the concrete.

1) Can I glue the floor directly to the concrete assuming I have no moisture problems?

2) Do I need to first use a vapor barrier? I was think maybe Bostik MVP or some other kind of barrier

3) Should I build a subfloor using OSB or other material and either glue or nail the wood to that subfloor?

4) If I do use glue, what is the best glue for the job.


Any help would be appreciated.

Paul

Do calcium chloride tests (3 of them) in different areas of the install.

That will tell you if you need a moisture blocker or not.

In a below grade basement, I would use the MVP regardless of how the tests turn out. Those tests are only a snap shot in time. What will the concrete emit in another 6 months? By using a moisture blocker, you are adding additional insurance against failure.

Is MVP the best? Should I use something like Red Guard instead. Where can I get MVP? I see they carry it at lumber liquidators, but it is $175 for a 5 gallon bucket. Is it cheaper anywhere else?

thanks.

I cleaned my floors to get ready for the calcium chloride test, but I want them to be fully dry so the water I used to clean doesn't affect the test.

www.floorprep.com

look at CutDown and VaporSeal