What Are Floating Hardwood Floors?

In recent years, new technology has taken effect to make floating hardwood floors a widely popular choice for homeowners everywhere.

This type of flooring gets it's name because it is not nailed down or attached to a sub-floor. Instead, it sits on a cushioned underlayment that gives you a floating feeling.

How Is The Floor Connected?

Years ago the only way to lay a floating hardwood floor was to glue it together. Today, there are a couple of much better options.

The click together design has a tongue and groove design that joins the pieces together easily. When you match the pieces together the right way you'll hear an audible "click".

A new design recently introduced is the lock and fold floating hardwood floors. This is a really nice design that eliminates glue and having to tap the pieces together.

This type of flooring adjoins the pieces by having them fold over and create a secure fit. It's somewhat like a Ziploc bag that seals together. The end result is a completely smooth surface that holds up great.

Floating Hardwood Floors Won't Work For All Floors

Floating wood floors will not work for all types of flooring. 99% of all floating floors are engineered floors and not solid.

Solid hardwoods cannot be floated, with the exception of just a couple, due to their expanding and contracting. Moisture greatly affects solids in every home.

Currently, there are no solid hardwood floors with click or lock and fold technology. That's not to say that this will always be the case, but for now it won't work.

I would also point out that not all engineered hardwood floors can be floated as well. You really need to read the manufacturers directions to know if it can be floated.

One other point is to give any floating floor plenty of room for expansion. Don't attach them to any fixed object as it could create buckling.