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Dear Bob and Betsy,
Do hardwood floors need moisture barrier if I’m installing them on grade? I’ve read a lot about how dangerous water is to hardwood floors. I’m planning to install my new flooring “on grade” (not above), which I know is a little bit risky. I feel confident they won’t get damaged where I live.
– Susan C.
Dear Susan,
You’re right. Moisture can do serious damage to hardwood flooring if you’re not careful. If you were to install your flooring below grade, we’d caution you heavily against it. However, on grade installations can be safe as long as you’re confident that the moisture levels won’t damage your floors. We have compiled more information for you to help to decide what’s best for you. Cheers! Bob & Betsy
You are probably diligent about keeping your house clean and free of standing puddles. You might also have a plan in place for what to do if someone spills on your hardwood floor. Still, you can’t always know what’s lurking below the surface.
Although you check (and double check, and triple check) your subfloor for damage, such as cracks or dips, before you install, damage can still happen over time. After you’ve had your flooring for several years your subfloor might get a tiny crack that could let in just the right amount of moisture to harm your floors.
Moisture barriers protect your flooring from below. They keep your hardwood safe even if a little bit of moisture seeps up from the subfloor. This is the type of moisture you won’t know is lingering until it’s too late.
These benefits sound ideal but should you use a moisture barrier for your hardwood flooring installation? It depends on your subfloor and how you plan to install your flooring.
If you’re planning to nail down your hardwood floors, a moisture barrier is recommended.
If you’re planning to glue down your hardwood floors, things get a little trickier. Many solutions today require the use of a trowel spread barrier. Talk to your installers about this before they arrive at your house so you’re sure your flooring is protected correctly from below.
If you are installing an floating engineered hardwood flooring, you can use Aquabar underlayment to help control moisture.
Sometimes, a moisture barrier is not recommended. If you’re installing your hardwood floors over a wood subfloor, you should avoid using a moisture barrier.
Over time, moisture can get trapped between the moisture barrier protecting your hardwood flooring and the wood subfloor. This can cause the subfloor to warp and rot, promoting mold growth and causing serious damage to your home.
You might also be tempted to use underlayment with a moisture barrier attached. This type of underlayment is great for floating floors, such as some laminate and engineered hardwood flooring. However, it’s not recommended for solid hardwood flooring because you will either need to nail or glue down the floors when you’re installing.
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Thanks for sharing. I have a question – is it really necessary to have a moisture barrier for the second floor of my house? There are no temperature differences or high humidity.
Respectfully,
Harold
Hi Harold, thanks for the question. No, you will not need a moisture barrier for this situation.
I am in the process of laying hardwood floor on a subfloor (approx. 800 sq Ft.) and have received conflicting information about where i should use a moisture + sound barrier or glue down with nails w/o the moisture barrier. We have a basement that is unfinished and the subfloor is clean and clear of any problems. My question would be do i really need the moisture + sound barrier or just glue and nail down directly to the subfloor?
PS. We live in OH for reference to climate
Hi Stuart, thanks for the question. I am assuming you are installing over a wood subfloor on a first floor. In that case, a moisture barrier isn’t needed and you can nail or glue right onto the subfloor. However, if you would like some added cushion and sound dampening, then an underlayment isn’t a bad idea! If you use an underlayment, you’ll need to nail the hardwood vs glue.
Question about the need for a moisture barrier: Old house on piers with a subfloor of center match with pine on top. Going to install red oak flooring. Do I need to remove the pine boards or can the oak be installed over the pine? Do I need to use a moisture barrier if installed over the pine? If I remove the pin e?
Hi Lois, thanks for the question. Is the pine flooring in good shape and level? You can install over it, but if you need to fix or reinforce the subfloor, it’s best to remove it and fix the subfloor. For example, if you notice any areas that squeak or feels like there is give. You would want to look for a felt underlayment for hardwood flooring with either installation type.
Hi. I appreciate the information. I sealed my OSB subfloor for odors (cat urine) with an odor blocking primer. My husband thinks that now the subfloor will not expand and contract with the wood flooring we want to put down. Is it true that the subfloor needs to adjust with the flooring, and will the primer prevent this?
Hi Christina, thanks for the question. Typically we worry more about the actual floor moving versus the subfloor. Your subfloor should be fine.
Hello! I live in an apartment with concrete subflooring and plan to install hardwood (parquet) tiles in the kitchen. My building requires both waterproofing and soundproofing. Can my contractor just use Redgard as the waterproofing membrane, then layer the soundproofing on top? Also, should the waterproofing cover the entire kitchen area or just near the sink and dishwasher? Thank you!
Hi Halley, thanks for the question. I believe the Regard should do it for the waterproofing. I would double check with the requirements your building has set. You should do the whole concrete floor, as water could cause issues with a hardwood down the line.