- Test the slab for moisture first. Every maker requires it, and it decides everything else.
- Glue-down: solid feel, quiet and great with radiant heat. Needs a flat slab and the right adhesive.
- Floating: faster, works with acoustic underlay (good for condos), but can feel and sound more hollow.
- The product must be approved for concrete (and below grade, if it's a basement).
Glue-down vs floating
| Glue-down | Floating | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel underfoot | Solid, like a nailed floor | Slight give |
| Sound | Quiet in the room | Can sound hollow without good underlay |
| Condo sound rules | Needs an approved acoustic membrane | Easier with acoustic underlay |
| Radiant heat | Best | OK if approved |
| Prep | Very flat slab, adhesive with moisture protection | Flat slab, vapour barrier |
| Repairs | Harder | Easier |
Moisture is the deal-breaker
Concrete holds moisture for a long time and can draw it up from the ground. Proper testing (RH probes or the method the maker requires) tells you whether wood can go down, and which adhesive or barrier is needed. Skipping it is one of the most common reasons wood floors on concrete cup or fail.
Common questions
Can engineered hardwood be glued to concrete?
Yes, if the product is approved for glue-down on concrete, the slab tests within the maker's moisture limits, and the approved adhesive (often with built-in moisture protection) is used.
Is it better to float or glue engineered hardwood on concrete?
Glue-down feels more solid and suits radiant heat. Floating is faster and works easily with acoustic underlays for condos. Both work when the slab is flat and dry enough.
Do you need a moisture barrier for engineered hardwood on concrete?
Almost always. Floating installs use a vapour barrier or barrier underlay. Glue-down installs often use an adhesive or membrane with moisture protection. Follow the maker's requirements.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.