Way back, people were accustomed to the sleeper on slab system. A poly film or a #15 asphalt felt was put above the slab to prevent moisture from entering which was later installed in cut back mastic before installing the sleepers. However, the trend has changed now. There are certain factors to install a hardwood floor yourself that you must remember.
Step One
High Level Finished Floors
Hardwood floors may cause a height difference at times. The final heights are in the 2 ¼ range once you have nailed the hardwood made floor. This creates an obstruction for the exterior door entries and fixed objects. When ¾ inch wood is used above the sleepers it raises the height naturally. This is the reason why new construction should be planned
Step Two
Use Plywood on concrete
While installing hardwood floors try to do ¾ inch hardwood on concrete, the best way is to put plywood sub floor attaching it to a slab. Use fasteners to hold on.
Step Three
Floating sub floors require plywood to be fastened to concrete
Use floating sub floors while using ¾ inch solid hardwood on concrete. Floating sub floors are made of two layers of ½ inch plywood installed opposite one another. It may overlap seams and be screwed together.
Step Four
Plywood should be stuck to concrete
Apart from using floating sub floors to glue the plywood to the concrete, you can also use urethane adhesive. This is to achieve kerfs cuts on the backside with a circular saw to improve its flexing properties.
Tips and Suggestions
Apart from the above you can also install hardwood floors with engineered hardwood floors which basically float above the sub floor. They are glued to the concrete not nailed. However you must consult a manufacturer before you begin the installation process of your wood floor.
Warning
Avoid solid ¾ glue downs. Use smaller pieces so that they will not expand and contract more like the ¾ inch hardwoods with changing temperatures.