Pros and Cons of Floating Flooring | Check If This Is for You

Few Benefits of Floating Floors That You Must Know About

These days, floating floors are becoming increasingly popular among the many other types of floor coverings. Actually, the term "floating floor" will not refer to any particular type of flooring material, rather it is an installation method that is used with different materials, e.g. laminates, luxury vinyl flooring, and engineered hardwood, etc.

In this method, all individual planks will interlock edge-to-edge for creating a single mat-like surface, which will simply rest on the underlayment. The floating floor is quite different from any glue-down/nail-down methods that are generally used for ceramic or stone tiles and was once considered to be the standard for all flooring materials.

The following 3 types of flooring are installed more often with this method:

1. Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring is an excellent case of a floating floor because it will never be bonded to the subfloor. This approach allows the flooring to contract and expand without buckling in response to variations in the relative humidity of the rooms.

The edges of laminate flooring planks are usually connected with a modified tongue-and-groove technique known as "fold-and-lock or "click-lock." As there are various proprietary ways of connection, the shape of your interlocking groove may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer.

2. Luxury vinyl flooring

Luxury vinyl flooring or LVF is also called vinyl plank flooring because it snaps jointly board-to-board in the same way that laminate planks do, however, certain types can also be attached to the subfloor.

The boards are constructed with tiny grooves and tongues that can lock together. Some LVF planks are semi-flexible, while others are very rigid.

3. Engineered wood flooring

A few engineered wood flooring are secured to a plywood subfloor by stapling or nailing it down. Other brands, on the other hand, are installed as a floating flooring. Engineered wood flooring has a attractive surface coating that is glued on a plywood or MDF core, similar to laminate flooring.

Let us now discuss the benefit of floating floors in this post.

1. Cost and time

One of the most obvious benefits is that it is not only less expensive, but also easier to install. One can join boards like a jigsaw puzzle and hold them together to make a single, coherent floor. Installation is straightforward because you may pick between a click-lock version and a certain tongue and groove style.

2. Eco-friendly

The majority of floating floors are environmentally good simply because they consume less wood, and others are created entirely of environmentally acceptable materials. It is also incredibly flexible and may be readily installed over the existing flooring or a range of different materials.

3. Comfort

You may notice some elasticity on the floor when walking on floating flooring. The air cushion that exists between the substrate and floating floor causes this. This will make it more comfortable for you, as well as easier on your knees and back.

4. Removal and reuse

It is important to remember that a floating floor will never be tied to the subfloor. As a result, it is simple to remove and perform essential repairs. Maybe you are moving or prefer to use your floor in another room. You can unlock and reposition the floorboards depending on the brand.

Know About A Few Disadvantages of Floating Flooring

Normally the term "floating floor" is used to refer to engineered hardwood flooring. These floorings do not require the application of glue or nail. Instead of that, the wood planks will "float" over the subfloor.

They are either fitted together like any puzzle or sometimes glued. Once they are perfected, then generally the system is reliable.

However, there are a few disadvantages of a floating flooring that we will discuss in the subsequent paragraphs.

1. Peaking

Peaking occurs when engineered flooring is forced together too tightly. This pressure can cause elevated patches in the joints, which can happen for a variety of causes, the most common among them is lack of space between your flooring and the walls or moulding, which prevents normal expansion.

You can alleviate peaking by reducing the flooring nearest to the wall, allowing for more room to expand. Weights can be placed at the peaked portion to flatten them out once this is done.

2. Instability

As floating floors are not anchored or supported to the subfloor, they may be slightly unstable. Some customers describe the instability as a small sagging or other issues, and while it rarely leads to significant difficulties, it can be irritating to homeowners.

The bulk of these issues are caused by either improper flooring installation or the purchase of low-quality or thin planks, which may have a shorter lifespan than other types.

Installing a dense underlay between your hardwood and the subfloor can help alleviate this unsteady feeling by removing stress and other issues from the flooring.

3. Noise

Floating floors can also cause noise, e.g. moans, creaking, and tapping. These sounds are difficult to suppress, which is another adverse effect of low-quality planks or improper installation. When the matting beneath the floor is not sufficiently thick enough, this problem can become even worse.

Additional issues may arise if the floor flexes during the hot/cold weather, a condition that is not common with engineered wood but can be noticeable if not put properly. These problems can also be caused by a lack of glue at moulding and wood seams, or by pieces that have been put too tightly.

4. Warping

Warping is most commonly caused due to moisture and water damage, and it can result in uneven flooring that is difficult and expensive to repair. Individual floorboards will curve up and down as a result of the warping and buckling, leaving the floor more susceptible to mould and mildew.

Regular humidity in the air, frequent water mopping, or an incorrectly placed moisture barrier between your flooring and the subfloor can all cause warping.

5. Quality

Due to the space between the subfloor and the wood boards, any flaws or unevenness in your subfloor might have a significant impact on the new floors. The biggest issue with uneven flooring is that it will cause movement in the gap between the boards and the subfloor, irrespective of the material.

This movement has the potential to cause a ripple effect throughout your floors. You may notice furniture jiggle or wobble on the room’s other side a little as you walk down on one side of your room.

Before you buy or install a new floor

Be sure to talk to your local flooring installer to find out how to avoid any future issues with floating flooring. For the best result hire an experienced installer.