The term floating floor might evoke visions of magic, but it’s a practical flooring option. Unlike traditional floors that use nails or glue, floating floors are installed by laying them over your existing floor. This method avoids the hassle, expense, and time-consuming process of older installation methods.
With a wide array of selections in type, color, structure, and width, you can choose the right floor to enhance any space in your home. This new way of installing floors emerged years ago and keeps getting better, offering a revolutionary change in the industry.
What is a Floating Floor?
Imagine a flooring installation system that doesn’t require the tedious, time-consuming, and costly methods of nailing or gluing. That’s where floating floors make their mark in the flooring industry. Unlike traditional floors, a floating floor isn’t secured with glue, nails, or staples. Instead, it simply lays on top of the existing flooring or subfloor, making it an ideal choice for those looking to cover an old flooring or subflooring without the need to remove it.
This type of flooring material is designed with multiple layers, including a protective base layer and a decorative top layer. Each panel or plank connects to the next using a locking system or an adhesive that allows them to float. The floating flooring can be installed over various substrates like concrete, plywood, or particleboard, and even over a previously installed floor.
👉Quick Tip: If you’re in a rush or just need a quick recommendation, laminate flooring is the top choice for floating floors. It’s valued for its durability, variety of beautiful styles like wood-look and tile-look, and the straightforward click-lock system that simplifies installation.
How Does a Floating Floor Stay in Place?
Floating floors are not secured directly to the subfloor. Instead, individual planks or tiles are locked together by their edges and lay flat across a wide area. This weight of these interconnected pieces is dispersed evenly, which keeps the floor stable without moving. A floating floor is often chosen for areas where expansion joints are necessary—like around all fixed objects, including walls and cabinets. This allows the floor to expand and contract without buckling.
Common Types of Floating Floor
Three types of flooring are particularly well-suited for floating floor installations.
Laminate Flooring
Laminate flooring is favored for areas like kitchens and living rooms where high traffic is common. Made up of a core layer and a decorative layer, it mimics hardwood but is easier to maintain. The flooring pieces connect without gluing, using a locking system that allows the material to expand and contract with humidity changes, thus avoiding buckling. Its ease of installation makes it a practical choice for busy spaces.
Luxury Vinyl Plank
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck in flooring, Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) stands out. It’s a low-priced flooring option that offers a widest array of design options. I’ve personally found LVP to be incredibly versatile. It can be installed easily by snapping pieces together using the click and lock method. This makes it a popular choice for many homeowners looking for a practical and stylish solution.
Engineered Hardwood
Engineered hardwood is a type of floating floor that is commonly installed without stapling to the subfloor. It has a decorative surface layer that is glued to a strong core. This core works well to provide stability and durability. I have often found that engineered hardwood can be installed just above existing floors, making it a convenient choice for many homeowners. This type of flooring not only enhances the look of your home but is also quite practical.
Advantages of Floating Floors
Floating floors are a practical flooring choice due to their unique installation technique, allowing them to be laid without nail or glue-in installation, unlike non-floating floors.
- Cost-Effective and Simple Installation: Floating floors are affordable because they are less expensive to install. Their installation doesn’t require specialized skills, reducing costs significantly.
- Environmental Benefits: These floors are environmentally friendly. They use less material and can be reused, thanks to their easy removal that causes no damage, thus being better for the environment.
- Versatile and Reusable: The design allows for easy adaptation and reusable options if updates or changes are needed, providing great flexibility.
Disadvantages of Floating Floors
Floating floors are a quick, nail-free solution for flooring installations. These panels lie just above the subfloor, simplifying the beginning of renovation projects. Yet, it’s worth exploring some downsides.
- Sound amplification: Because they are generally thin, floating floors tend to be much louder underfoot compared to non-floating flooring types like solid hardwood or carpet.
- Can’t be refinished: Unlike solid hardwood floors, which can be sanded and revamped, floating floors if damaged or worn, must be replaced completely.
- Cost implications: Initially, they may cost less, but floating flooring types require more frequent updates and replacement, making them less long-lasting than options like solid hardwood or nail-down floors.
Basics of Installing Floating Floors
When considering a new flooring option for your home, the installation process for floating floors is notably straightforward and maintains a general uniformity across different types. These floors are installed without gluing or nailing to the subfloor, which remains the same regardless of the specific material you choose.
Step 1: Prepare the Area
Before laying a new floating floor, the substrate or subfloor needs to be smoothed and prepared. Clear the area, trim the door casings, and adjust the frames to allow the flooring to slide underneath effectively.
Step 2: Install the Underlayment
A thin layer of foam, also known as underlayment, is rolled out over the subfloor. This layer helps to absorb sound and make the finished flooring feel comfortable underfoot. If the floating floors already come with underlayment installed, this step can be skipped completely.
Step 3: Lay the Flooring
Assemble the flooring planks, starting at the walls and moving inward. It’s important to maintain a small gap between the material and the walls to allow for expansion and contraction from humidity and temperature changes. These gaps are later covered to create a seamless look.
Are Floating Floors Installed with Adhesive?
No, floating floors are not installed using adhesive. This type of flooring system simply lies on top of the subfloor, often with a vapor barrier or cushion between them. This setup allows for easy and quick installations, a benefit I appreciated when updating my home office.
Are Floating Floors Warm Underfoot?
Floating floors, a popular type of flooring material, typically include an underlayment that helps retain heat, making them feel warm underfoot. Types like cork and bamboo have excellent insulating properties, ensuring a warmer room.
Are Floating Floors Suitable for Your Home?
Opting for floating floors in my home was mainly due to their affordability and easy install. These flooring types can swiftly transform any space, allowing quick replacement and offering remarkable versatility.
How to Recognize if Your Floor is Floating
To determine if your floor is a floating type, notice the feel underfoot—it’s often more pliant compared to directly attached floors. Common materials like laminate, engineered wood, and LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) are typically used. These floors may sound hollow due to an air gap, a distinctive characteristic of floating floors.
What Types of Flooring Cannot Be Installed as a Floating Floor?
Not all flooring types suit the floating method carpet, solid hardwood, and tile need secure attachments not provided by floating installations.
Are Floating Floors Waterproof?
Floating floors like luxury vinyl plank are waterproof, perfect for moist areas. However, laminate and engineered hardwood offer limited water resistance and can suffer damage if wet.
What is the difference between laminate and floating floors?
Laminate floors are resistant to stains and easy to clean, while a floating floor isn’t nailed down but floats, making it less likely to be damaged by falling objects. Unlike laminate, some floating floors can be sanded and treated if damaged.