because they are made from thinner and weaker materials. most commonly, Laminate Flooring. Floating floors, especially the laminate type are generally thinner and less substantial than the traditional kind. Besides, floating a hardwood floor can be a bad idea if youre living in an area with very high humidity. Some companies specifically seek out certified eco-friendly components including recycled materials as well. So do your house a favor and invest in, . Also by doing a little research into the most sustainable hardwood floors, you can install a floating hardwood floor that is not only long lasting, but also beautiful. This means that any type of material can make a floating floor, not just wood. We also offer timber framing and wood flooring services as well. Once the flooring starts to break down or show signs of wear (as for example where a rolling chair rumbles across it), it cannot be refinished; it needs to be replaced. You may waste considerable flooring before realizing whats going on. Caring for and maintaining a floating floor depends on the type of material used. Here are some of the reasons why people prefer floating floors over traditional ones: One of the main advantages a floating floor has over non-floating floors is the ease of installation. Type three is Engineered Wood Flooring. If youre not familiar with the term, a subfloor is the layer of the floor underneath your floating floor. as floating floors). This is why some buyers complain of hearing a hollow sound from their floating floors. A floating floor is a type of flooring that can be installed without the need to nail or glue the floor to the subfloor (source). But of course, as with any method of installation, there are going to be downsides as well as upsides when using floating floors. Not all floating wood floors are alike. If youd like to learn more about the floating floor option, or if you need help with any kind of commercial or residential refinishing, installation, sanding, or care needs including carpet care connect with the professionals at Elegant Floors. In general, a quality professional installation for a floating floor will be considerably less expensive than most nail-down or glue-down flooring, with the exception of carpet. We offer the best vintage and specialty woods and timbers personally inspected by our team of experts who can also provide unbeatable craftsmanship skills for your intricate wood projects. 4. What Is the Difference between Plastering and Rendering? Should Flooring Be The Same Throughout The House? If your subfloor is uneven and your floating floor planks are thin, it may not feel that sturdy. Make Your Decision While evaluating floating floor pros and cons, you should also remember that while this flooring is famously easy for do-it-yourselfers to work with, that isnt always the case. concrete, certain hardwood, etc.) Because of its popularity, you might be considering getting a floating floor for your home. Natural stone tiles in particular offer one-of-a-kind finishes, as each stone is unique, differing in color, feel and composition. While this isnt always the case, it still boils down to the overall design and the quality of materials used. 4. Although floating floors are often the floors of choice for people who live in humid or moist climates, these floors can also buckle and break down if too many heat/temperature related contractions occur. But a floating flooring installation uses no nails or adhesives. If you didnt know, laminate flooring is a type of composite flooring made of fiberboard or plywood, aluminum oxide, and topped with a thin layer of real wood. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Changing temperatures and moisture levels can degrade or warp the floor. Learn more in our guide: How to Save Money on Commercial Flooring. But for this post, well look at some of the most common ones: Most people associate floating floors with hardwood floors. One problem that most homeowners have is the buckling of wood floors. For some, nothing beats the classic look and feel of real wood flooring. Fits over a variety of surfaces concrete, vinyl, plywood, etc. Anyone with basic skills and tools should be able to do it. What Are the Disadvantages of a Floating Floor? Even with this shift, there is a general perception that floating wood floors may lower your real estate value when compared to more premium flooring materials. This viewpoint is beginning to shift, as the quality of products used for floating wood floors has greatly improved over the past few decades. These floors are easier both to install and to remove than glue-down floors, and theyre also simpler to repair in the event of a problem. This prevents the moisture from seeping into the wood preventing it from warping. Whether youre considering renovating your rec room; or youre exploring a bigger remodeling job that may involve redoing the kitchen, bathroom, and most of the rest of the house, you might want to consider the floating floor option. Floating floors are installed in one big piece, and if not for wall confinement, the surface could theoretically be moved. Because of this, its floating floors are one of the easier ways to add a new type of floor to an existing structure, and many types of wood flooring can be purchased in a floating setup. In general, a quality professional installation for a floating floor will be considerably less expensive than most nail-down or glue-down flooring, with the exception of carpet. Glued Down vs. This style of engineered hardwood is the easiest to find comes in a wide range of wood species, finishes, and widths. Should you opt for the modern click lock floating wood floors or stick with the tried and true tongue and groove design? We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! This comparison summarizes the most important pros and cons of floating floors: There is a broad choice of different materials and looks available in the market, ranging from a classical wood-like appearance of a laminate or an engineered floor to colorful and even fancy designs. This is because they can be laid down faster, and dont require materials like nails or adhesive. Choosing between various types of flooring, colors, styles and finishes can take a tremendous amount of time and effort. However, they are still prone to faster wear than traditional floorings (e.g. Even amateur DIYers can install them. Therefore, commercial spaces that experience heavier than normal foot traffic such as retail stores, office spaces, and restaurants may find a nail-down or glue-down installation more beneficial in the long run. 2. Take a look at some of our favorite projects in Philadelphia and NJ below. Drywall vs Plaster Wall What Are the Differences? Thick () cork underlayment can help deaden any unwanted noises, however, and can be installed directly underneath any manufacturer required vapor barrier. How To Mitigate and Treat Pet Damage on Hardwood Floors, How to Install Radiant Floor Heating With Wood Floors, Best Wood Floor Mops: The Definitive Guide, How The Lumber Shortage Affects Your Wood Floors, 8 Unique and Interesting Wood Floor Patterns. For certain types of flooring materials, there are three common methods of installation: floating, nail-down, and glue-down. Most people believe that a floating floor may bring down the resale value of your property. But should you? This is because its possible to disassemble the floating planks and then quickly replace a damaged board, because theyre not fasted to the subfloor in any way. This isnt much of a concern though. Click lock floors are more limited in installation options. If you are to view the layers of a floating floor from the top down, it would have the wood planks at the top, then the air and underlayment at the middle, and the subfloor at the bottom. Read it to arm yourself with valuable negotiation insights, source the right materials at the best prices and cut through product hype. However, floating wood floors are a way to preserve historic wood flooring if youre thinking along those lines! Even with this shift, there is a general perception that floating wood floors may lower your real estate value when compared to more premium flooring materials. Instead, the floor planks float above the subfloor and are held in place through a lock-and-snap mechanism. Though floating floor has a lot of advantages, it has disadvantages too. Because of their thinner materials and lower resistance to damage, they will probably require replacing frequently thus making them less cost-effective. Basically, youll only have to pry the boards and planks apart then remove the underlayment to expose the subfloor. The floor rests on the underfloor but is not attached to it. Should You Use Differently Colored Hardwood Floors In One House? It may be two hooked shapes that snap together or another type of patented design. Floating floors are self-contained and usually surrounded by three or four walls. In a traditional floor installation, the boards and planks are usually nailed or glued to the layers of the floor below. As a carpet is secured at its edges by strips containing nails, the floating floor is secured at its edges only by the walls of the room. Floating floors cant be sanded like traditional hardwood floors. However, it comes with some distinct disadvantages that you may want to weigh before taking the plunge.Floating Floor: Pros One of the most obvious advantages of a floating floor, which is installed by connecting segments of flooring together so they float over a subfloor or existing flooring surface, is that it can be a cost-effective way to install an attractive floor and quickly update a space. Others can simply be glued down. The phrase floating floor refers to the way the flooring is installed but it is also known to refer to the type of flooring, i.e. But a hardwood floating floor is actually hard to find as there arent a lot of hardwood floating floor manufacturers out there. slightly more frequently than nail or glue-down types of flooring. What Is Wide Plank Wood Flooring? Perception as a Less Valuable Type of Flooring, While the Installation is Generally Easy, the Devil Lies in the Details, Laminate Is Quite Wear-resistant but Not as Durable as Some Traditional Flooring Types, overview of the available woods right here (Amazon), How to Install a Floating Floor (Laminate, Vinyl, Engineered Hardwood). The most common types of floating flooring are Laminate, Luxury Vinyl Flooring or LVF, and Engineered wood flooring. Depending on the style of the click system, some click lock floors may be difficult to fully engage therefore separating with prolonged use. Instead, they pass through the joints making your floor more resistant to weather changes. Building A Pergola On Your Deck The Definitive Guide. Ok, enough about the cons. Lets start by taking a closer look at the cons to floating wood floors: When floors are glued or nailed down, the connection between the subfloor and the floor reduces the sound of footfalls. This consists of boards that snap together using tongue and grooving. Heres a quick look at some of the pros and cons. Engineered Wood Floors. How to Choose the Best Wood Floor Texture For Your Home. How Much Do Hardwood Floors Cost in 2022? So if you decide you no longer like the design of your floating floor, it will be easier to remove and re-install a new style than other types of flooring such as glued down floors. If youre using thin and low-quality floorboard planks, expect a shorter floor lifespan. If you need assistance in choosing which type of floor you should use, were more than happy to help you. Just pop out and replace! That's why it's a good idea to consult a flooring expert before you charge ahead -- to see if there are any hidden problems with a room where you intend to install floating flooring. So do your house a favor and invest in quality wood flooring. These floors are popular with do-it-yourselfers. She is the lead author for several prominent websites covering a variety of topics including law, health, nutrition, and more. Photo of a hardwood floor by koocbor/Flickr. As a prime example of a floating floor, nearly all laminate products are installed through the floating method which allows the boards to respond better to changes in humidity. Floating floors can be pieced together like a puzzle leading to a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly approach by eliminating smelly and messy type adhesives and shortening the time spent on installation. May not be as aesthetically appealing as traditional hardwood floors. Using a realistic photographic print film and a clear vinyl layer, LVT is available in a wide variety of design concepts. Take the two most popular styles of engineered hardwood click lock or tongue & groove. What Are The Most Sustainable Wood Flooring Options. Ceramic and Stone Tile:Typically mortared to a substrate, porcelain and stone tile are exceedingly durable and offer excellent lasting quality. Like engineered wood, it can withstand high moisture and humidity making it ideal for floating floor installations. This occurs more often in areas with humid weather. Spar Urethane vs. Polyurethane What Are the Differences? Additionally, they can be installed over existing surfaces, meaning you dont have to remove anything prior to installing one. LVT is designed to replicate hard surface flooring materials. The disadvantages of floating floors can typically be addressed by choosing the right type of materials up front, and using the appropriate underlayment. In addition, repairs are also easier with this system, since you can remove the damaged planks without worrying about destroying the locking tongues. Because the edges of this wood flooring are precisely formed by machinery, snapping and unsnapping them is just as precise and can be done with a minimal loss. As you evaluate floating vs non-floating flooring options and consider price, we highly recommend you. Like any installation, the cost will vary based on the. This means that moisture cannot enter the floor planks themselves. Call Artisan Wood Floors today at (215) 515-7355 and ask for Steve! 1. Call us at (866) 441-6648, Get quotes from qualified local contractors. Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Los Altos, Mountain View, Sunnyvale. Some click lock models have a tighter fit, but remember that a certain amount of flexibility is required to ensure the floor wont buckle or warp with natural movement. The cheapest type of floating floorboard is laminate at $5.50 per square foot depending on the thickness and finish. Request Your Quote, Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor Registration Number: 168323, Serving The Main Line,New Jersey, Conshohocken,Manayunk, Philadelphia, Bala Cynwyd, Cherry Hill, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress. Many use the same design principles and appear to be of the same quality, but the reality is that certain types of engineered wood floors are better than others. Also, you can install it yourself reducing the need for paid labor. For starters, a floating floor is a method of installing a floor and not a specific type of flooring. The boards then lock together holding themselves in place. Anytime youre looking into doing a major remodel to your house, its easy to get overwhelmed by the numerous options that are out there. It absorbs the vibrations made by the floating floor thus reducing the noise. One of the most obvious advantages that a floating floor has over a non-floating floor is ease of installation. Can You Stain Particle Board with Wood Stain? that is not only long lasting, but also beautiful. Theres a reason why floating floors are gaining popularity several reasons, actually. How to save money on commercial flooring: value engineering, better materials and smarter solutions. Because the flooring is floating and not attached to the under-flooring, the laminate is able to expand and contract when temperature and humidity changes. What Are the Different Types of Floating Flooring? In essence, its the subfloor thats holding down the weight of your entire floor. engineered wood will not expand or contract. Unlike traditional hardwood floors, which need to be nailed down according to a precise methodology, floating floors are much easier to install. refinishing, and best in hardwood floor repair, and so we thank you! Also by doing a little research into the. How To Preserve The Wood Floors In A Historic Building, Eight Amazingly Designed Hardwood Basketball Courts. Since floating floors are designed to last for an extended period of time, you want to make the right choice for a given application. An average-sized bedroom should take no more than a whole afternoon. It is not recommended to install laminate floors in areas of high traffic such as shops or public areas. Our clients - we love 'em and treat them like 'gold' !- say were the best Is It Safe to Use Ice Melt for Wood Decks? Furthermore, the installation tends to be less expensive and its eco-friendly to boot, because it uses less wood. However, they often combine easy installation and good affordability with an elegant and appealing look. Another floating floor disadvantage is the fact that this flooring cannot be sanded. If you dont like the aesthetics of a room, you could rip up the floor and hire a contractor to put in a traditional hardwood floor. How Can I Tell If My Hardwood Floors Are Thick Enough To Refinish? Another key advantage of choosing a floating floor over a non-floating type is how it reacts to changes in humidity. Because floating floors need foam underlayment, the finished laminate flooring may feel slightly spongy, and unlike a real wooden floor which will feel solid. Luxury Vinyl Tile:Short for luxury vinyl tile, LVT is designed to replicate hard surface flooring materials such as stone or wood, yet provide many more practical benefits. Sunnyvale Hardwood Floor Installation Refinishing Repair Los Altos. Should the floor become scratched, it cannot be repaired in the traditional way a normal wooden floor could as laminate floors are too thin to be able to be sanded. Because of this multi-layer construction, laminate flooring is highly durable. How To Make Your Hardwood Floor Look New Without Sanding. When you decide to go for a floating floor, it is almost guaranteed that you will find a solution that meets your aesthetical requirements. 5 Worst Things to Spill on Your Wood Floors, How To Make The Best DIY Hardwood Floor Refinishing Kit, 10 Signs Your Rental Property Needs a Flooring Replacement, The Types of Termites That Can Damage Your Hardwood Floors and How To Fix Them, Wood Plank Flooring: Frequently Asked Questions. Browse our gallery of past projects to know more about the work that we do or contact us to get a free consultation. Whereas in a floating floor installation, the materials used are way cheaper. Another floating floor disadvantage is that this method can be more noisy and hollow-sounding than a traditional nail-down or glue-down type methods. Floating vs Glue-Down Floors When comparing floating floors to glue-down floors, another type of engineered flooring that is also very popular, there are some distinct differences to consider. It is designed with a sealed finish. The floating floor is kept in place by its own weight and, once a floating floor is installed across a complete room space, the edges are held secure by the walls of the room. This means they may be damaged easier, and, if damage occurs, the floor will need to be partly dismantled, the damaged pieces replaced and the floor re-assembled. As you can see, you can benefit a lot from using floating floors. All About Refinishing Engineered Hardwood Floors. In addition, theyre quieter for neighbors, thanks to the insulation provided via an underlayment barrier and the air cushion between the floating floor and the substrate. You only need a steady hand and a keen eye to snap these floorboards together, along with accurate measurements and a heap of patience, of course. Solid Wood: Which is Better. If the floor is installed over a surface that isnt exactly level, these imperfections will show through the laminate over time and may be quite unsightly. This is because they can be laid down faster, and dont require materials like nails or adhesive. BUT, thats only the case if you have a thick underlayment installed. A Look at the Pros and Cons, Solid Flooring vs. Laminate Flooring vs. So when someone walks on it, there wont be much vibrations. And as we all know, floor quality can affect the value of a property. Yes, Ive said above that floating floors are typically installed in studios and movie theaters because of their soundproofing property. But because floating wood floors are installed above the subfloor, they can feel hollow, and the gap in between the floor and subfloor can amplify sounds. Mineral Oil vs Linseed Oil What Are the Differences? Though you may need to replace floating wood floors more often, replacement of damaged planks is typically simple and much easier than it is to replace a glue or nail-down floor. Therefore, if you are looking to upgrade an area of your facility with hardwood floors but have concerns regarding buckling and warping due to moisture, a floating engineered approach may just be what you are looking for. Using high quality wood as your material for floating wood floors will help mitigate these concerns. This makes them virtually waterproof and ideal for floating floor installations. However, it is still best to seek advice from a professional to see if floating floors best suit your home. Where hardwood floor planks are made from a single wood, engineered floor planks are made with layers of solid wood glued tightly together. What Are the Advantages of a Floating Floor? and Surrounding South Bay Areas & Santa Clara County for than 20 years. We offer the best, and timbers personally inspected by our team of experts who can also provide unbeatable craftsmanship skills for your intricate wood projects. But with hardwood and engineered floors, a damp anything is an absolute no-no unless your floorboards have a protective finish of some sort. You can find and compare LVF options in DIY stores and on Amazon. There are a lots of factors that can affect the lifespan of your floating floor such as: A floating floor with great materials, structure, and properly cared for may last anywhere from 40 to 80 years or even more. Tung Oil vs Mineral Oil for Wood Finishing. Most floating floors also have a glass fiber or cork layer with neoprene pads installed underneath them for soundproofing. Because of the small gap in between the subfloor and the floating floor, your daily activities will have a higher impact on the floor itself, meaning it may need to be replaced slightly more frequently than nail or glue-down types of flooring. And if the floor is located in a high-traffic area, its obviously going to show signs of wear and tear a lot sooner. If youre using laminate products or luxury vinyl, a damp mop will usually suffice. Click lock wood floor styles are available in thicknesses anywhere from 3/8 to 5/8. Proudly Serving Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Palo Alto,Los Altos, Menlo Park, A floating floors appearance might not keep up with luxury hardwood or stone floors. Saratoga, Cupertino, Los Gatos Monte Sereno, San Jose, Portola Valley Compared to engineered wood and laminates, hardwood floors are much more prone to warping. So floating flooring was introduced to make it easier for the DIYer to install their selves. Most older product lines were made with the tongue and groove styling, a byproduct of solid hardwood flooring that requires adhesive to keep the planks together when performing a floating install. This article will answer these questions and provide some useful tips and tricks around floating floors. 2. Its versatile, with options for any interior design and nearly any application, aside from the heaviest load uses and specialty healthcare settings. Most floating floors, however, are built with a hard backing making them non-permeable. Both styles have advantages and disadvantages, and your project details may be better suited to one over the other. The planks just fit tightly together with interlocking grooves or rivets like pieces of a high-tech jigsaw puzzle. Both ceramic and stone provide a premium, high-end finish and can come in a broad range of colors and textures. Laminate: Due to its synthetic blend, laminate is more affordable than more premium natural options, such as wood, ceramic tile or stone. Engineered wood is one of the most common hardwood floating floor alternatives. But they make a great alternative to solid wood floors. Vintage & Specialty Wood should be your source of the highest quality timbers from around the world. There may also be a hollow sound when walking across a laminate floor. Engineered wood floors, on the other hand, cost between $5 to $10. So in rooms where quiet can be paramount (think a baby nursery or home office space), you may need to look into installing a high-quality foam underlayment. Since laminate uses digital images, it can take on the look of nearly any natural material with limitless colors and finishes, such as smooth, distressed, textured and more. With click lock you can leave glue behind. Now lets take a look at some of the advantages to installing a floating wood floor: Like any installation, the cost will vary based on the types of materials used. But will it work well in any room or will tongue and groove still prove best for certain projects? If a room has a complicated footprint, isnt squared off, or has strange dimensions, installing flooring can quickly turn into a nightmare. This makes them permanently attached to the ground until the floor is removed or replaced. Read our article on floating wood tiles to learn more about this. Floating floors generally incorporate thinner materials that cannot be sanded often leading to a shorter lifespan. Laminate floors do not suffer this problem as the entire floor is connected together as one unit. However, it also represents a serious con, because that same flexibility contributes to faster floor wear. Its important to consider floating floor pros and cons before installing new flooring. What are Floating Floors? To help you decide, we answer some of the questions you may have about floating floors. Contact our team today to speak to a timber expert about what Vintage & Specialty Wood can do for you. The underlayment is a neoprene pad, glass fiber, or cork installed in between the subfloor and floating floor. How Long Does Polyurethane Take to Dry? Judy Ponio is a professional writer and SEO specialist. Like laminates, a luxury vinyl plank also has a multi-layer construction. Vinyl (also referred to as Luxury Vinyl Flooring or LVF, and, Easy to remove, without damage to the material underneath, All elements of the floor are connected, so no planks can pop up or twist, Laminate can be less scratch- or water sensitive than other material, Damage tends to be more fatal (while hardwood floor, for instance, could be sanded or repaired), Might not be seen as valuable as hardwood, stone or tile floors, Improper installation can affect the appearance, It may be less durable than hardwood floors. Type two is Luxury Vinyl Flooring, or LVF.