Wood floors have come a long way and polished hardwood floors only became a common home staple at the end of the 19th century. There has been a lot of change in the design world over the last few years, and flooring has gotten a second look.
Gone are the days when you could just choose a typical, standard floor and move on. Now, you have options. And floating floors are among those many options. Floating floors are taking over as one of the most popular choices for new homes.
But why? And what are they? Floating floors are a little more complicated than they sound. But we’ve got you covered. So, let’s break down the world of floating floors so you know just what you’re looking for.
What Is a Floating Floor?
Floating floors are floors that “float” about the subfloor or substrate. In some rare cases, this type of flooring will actually go over the old flooring and subflooring. This method of flooring makes it easier for contractors and homeowners to completely transform a space without having to rip it up, replace older underlayments and features with new elements that are just fine, and risk causing damage.
Before this method of installation, floors were installed by nailing down or gluing the flooring to the subfloor. This method works just fine, but it costs a lot of money and doesn’t allow for easy renovations or changes. As people found the need to change their floors more often, floating floors emerged.
Types of Floating Flooring
Floating floors come in three different styles — but it is likely that there will be more styles coming because of how popular they are.
Laminate flooring is the best example of floating flooring. It is never glued to a subfloor, is easy to install, and can be used by relative beginners. It is the perfect option for all climate types, is pretty easy to take up and replace when the time comes, and uses a tongue-and-groove system that makes installation quick. You can transform a space in hours which is a dream come true for most DIY-ers.
The next type is luxury vinyl floor, also known as LVF. This can be plank flooring or tiles that are snapped together in the same style as laminate planks. This also uses the tongue-and-groove system that makes it easy to install. There are a lot of different styles, so no matter your taste, there is something that will catch your eye.
Finally, engineered wood flooring can be installed as a floating floor as well. This is similar to the two types listed above and even easier to take care of and install.
How Do Floating Floors Work?
Floating floors actually use multiple layers of flooring to achieve the “floating” status. The core or backing of the flooring provides the strength and stability you need to live your life ( even with kids or pets).
The top layer gives you the style and appeal you’re looking for in your home; it works with different aesthetics, colors, finishes, and styles. It feels and looks a bit like engineered wood before you install it, but it looks like a traditional wood floor after installation.
When you install floating floors, you are only installing the floor itself. You don’t have to worry about the subfloor in most cases (another big perk!).
Why Are Floating Floors So Popular?
Floating floors are so popular with homeowners today because they are so strong and sturdy. You can really put these floors through the wringer, and they will still look and feel great. They are even waterproof, so you can overflow the bathtub, spill your drink, or clean with a mop without having to worry about using too much water.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry (too much) about water seeping into the floor because the joints fit together so tightly. You don’t want to keep your floor underwater, but spilling a glass of water isn’t a big deal.
Thanks to the dimensional stability, these floors last a long time and can withstand bad weather, growing families, medical equipment, and more. They are thick as well, which helps to block out sounds for heavy walkers, apartments, and privacy.
Floating floors can be installed at, above, or below grade, which makes them extremely versatile. There are plenty of choices, so you won’t have to make any concessions when you purchase your flooring. If you love it that much (which you will), you can even pick this flooring up and take it with you wherever you go.
If you buy from a reputable flooring company, you will be able to buy more to match your new room in most cases. If you want a specific wood, it is highly likely that you will be able to find it in floating flooring.
Other Benefits of Floating Floors
If you are thinking about redoing your floors, there are some other reasons you may consider floating floors as well. The primary reason is that floating floors are actually very easy to install because you don’t need to install a subfloor. This reduces costs, the amount of time you will be working, and room for error. If you are doing this by yourself, there is no easier option to choose.
Floating floors are cheaper and easier than other popular DIY options like gluing or nailing your floors.
For businesses and apartments, most floating floor materials offer sound dampening, mold, and mildew prevention and are very environmentally friendly.
Floating floors are easy to take care of, clean, and if something does go wrong, they usually come with residential and commercial warranties. They are perfect for families that are growing and need to keep everything clean or businesses that want to ensure they have a healthy environment.
Remember that your benefits will depend on your specific home and the flooring that you choose.
Are There Any Issues with Floating Floors?
It is important to note that, like any kind of flooring, there are some issues with floating floors as well, including some you may not have thought about before. The first problem is that they don’t increase the value of your real estate. While they don’t necessarily decrease it either, floating floors aren’t something that people really look for when buying a home.
Another issue is that in certain homes and installations, floating flooring can feel hollow and sound somewhat loud under your feet. You can combat this problem by placing more items in your home and adding area rugs to make it quieter and make it feel more luxurious.
Finally, floating floors cannot be refinished, which isn’t a huge issue, but some people don’t know this and then try to do it, ruining their floors.
A Good Idea To Float
Floating floors are a simple, fast, and cost-effective way to transform your space without having to spend too much time or money on your floors. It is a great way to make an apartment your own, make your business a little more luxurious, or even try that “wood floor feeling” before settling on one forever.
If you want to try your hand at DIY, this is definitely a project you can do on your own with the right supplies, a vision, and a little patience!
Sources:
Floating Wood Floor: Install One in 8 Steps | This Old House
How to Install a Laminate Floating Floor | how-tos | DIY
Floating Floors Pros and Cons | The Spruce
