Floating Flooring, what is it and how to install it. Learn the Basics.

All That You Need To Know About Floating Floor

You must have heard about "floating floor", which actually refers to a flooring material that is constructed by locking together, which is an almost similar system to a piece of the puzzle. 

Here every flooring material piece will be locked together to create a tight bond. Because of this tight binding, the floor remains stable without any need for attachment to the sub-floor.

If you ask what is a floating floor then we can say that it is actually an installation method. Mostly, laminate and vinyl plank may come in the format of floating floor.

The following are a few different types of floating floors.

Engineered wood

This type of flooring is specially created using multiple wood layers with a solid wood-finished layer. This construction creates durable, lightweight, and easy-to-care-for wood flooring.  

Sometimes the bottom layers will be comprised of pressed or recycled wood, making the floor an excellent sustainable option. These floors are available as a “click-lock” and also glue-down and nail-down options. According to recent customer reviews for engineered timber flooring become a more luxurious choice when it comes to floating installation.

Laminate

For floating floors, laminate flooring is a very popular option. Usually, floating laminate planks are connected using a tongue-and-groove type of “click-lock” system, which uses simple tongue-and-groove arrangements rather than nails or adhesives. This is a durable option and comes in a tile and wood appearance.   

Luxury vinyl

Luxury vinyl flooring is generally available in 2 categories: 

LVP will imitate wood, while LVT will imitate stone or ceramics. Almost like floating engineered wood planks and floating laminate planks, floating vinyl tiles and planks use “click-lock” or tongue-and-groove systems to snap together. Another alternative to floating will be glued down. Many customers are choosing vinyl planks for their homes, as it is a hard-wearing and waterproof floor covering option, that is easy to install. 

What are the benefits of floating floors?

Because of their easy installation, floating flooring is a great choice. The floating floor "click-lock" method has evolved to be more efficient in installation, making it easier to replace your flooring without causing long-term disruption to your daily routine. These items have also improved in terms of durability, allowing them to last longer.

Can be installed anywhere

Floating floors may be installed almost in any room and over any type of subfloor because they just sit on top of it. Traditional floor coverings have highly particular types of subfloor requirements, which restricts their use. Installing hardwood over concrete, for example, is a difficult and expensive job. 

Each board must be bonded and the hardwood must be engineered, which may not be ideal. On the other hand, floating floors may be simply built atop concrete subfloors, which are commonly found in basements and condominiums.

Quick installation process

Another significant advantage of using a floating floor is, they are simple and quick to install. Installing a floor takes time and space in the home. Your home will resemble a construction zone during the installation procedure. 

Choosing a floor that is clean, quick, and easy to install means, the project will move swiftly and you will be back in your home in almost no time with less dust to boot.

These days floating floors are quite a popular choice in Australia.

How to Install Floating Floor?

Most of you must be aware that it is quite beneficial if you decide to install floating floors, particularly in rooms having a concrete subfloor. Even if you live in a desert, your concrete floor will get certain moisture. 

Since wet wood expands, hence you will have problems with your solid floor. Therefore, a floating wood floor can always offer you a better solution. Such floating hardwood floor will be made from any engineered wood strips, which will snap together and will not require any adhesives. They can float freely on the top of any subfloor.

A few types of floating floorboards can be glued together that need a series of clamps and shims to hold the planks while the glue gets dried up. There can also be an easier installation of the floating floor by using planks that will snap together so that you will need no glue.

You may call any professional installer to install your floating floor. Let us know in the subsequent paragraphs how to install floating floorboards.

The door casings are trimmed

The foam underlayment is installed

The installation of the first course

Next, the flooring installer will decide how to install the first line of the flooring and make it as a reference.

Installation of the balance of the flooring

The balance of the flooring will just continue and will be aligned to the very first course done above.  

The last course is measured

The width of the last plank is measured when the installer will get to the end of the course. For calculating the expansion gap, the installer will measure to a spacer against your wall once again.

To fit inside the doorway, a plank that goes across it must be notched. It will be measured from the closest edge of the doorstop moulding to estimate its breadth.

Ripping off the plank to the width

The wood will be ripped to width and will cut the doorway notches just above centre with a jigsaw. The wood is cut to fit beneath the casing and to the doorstep. Slowly with a fine-toothed wood blade, it will be cut.

Prying the last course

Patience and persuasion are required to get this final course in. The spacers left on the last wall are removed to allow for wiggle room, then the piece will be pulled tight against the prior course with a pry bar.

The finish trim installation

Finally, the installer will offer the finishing trim to cover the expansion gaps and bring a final completed look of your new floor. 

Now its time to clean the floor and enjoy your refurbished room

The Conclusion.

Floating flooring is the most used floorcovering type people choose nowadays. If you like the idea the next step will be to find an experienced flooring installer and discuss your next project step 

You can find Installers here

you may also want to check local flooring shops to choose a floating material