Is my approach to installing wood subfloor over concrete correct?

Question

I recently purchased a new home in South Carolina, and was planning to extend the existing hardwood throughout the rest of the ground floor. Once I began to remove the existing carpet, I saw that there's no wood subfloor: the existing floor is glued to the concrete.

I want to use 3-1/2 in. hardwood flooring (not engineered), so in this situation my plan would be to:

1. Remove the existing hardwood
2. Install a vapor barrier on top of the concrete
3. Lay down 3/4 in. plywood and secure it to the concrete
4. Install a felt pad on top of the plywood
5. Install the new hardwood

I haven't dealt with a scenario like this before, so I just want to be sure my understanding is correct.

Answer 1

You missed a couple of steps:

• Remove all baseboard trim
• Cut door trim to clear new subfloor/floor
• Adjust any other "things" like baseboard heat/radiators to sit higher (as appropriate)
• Reinstall all baseboard trim

I'm not saying you shouldn't do this, but there are other things to consider when you're raising the floor by 3/4" plywood subfloor, the thickness of the felt pad and the thickness of the flooring itself (3/4" minimum, I'd think, probably more).

I'd agree that a real hardwood floor will outlast and out shine any fake "hardwood" floor, no matter how much they emphasize "luxury" in the vinyl plank, but there will be a bit more work.