What exactly is floating floor? I get this question often from customers because somebody has told them they should have it. But , they don't understand what a suspended is.

Technically, a floating flooring means that it is “floating” on top of the ground below it and is not directly guaranteed to the floor (i. e. simply no nails and no glue). Instead it really is held down or secured round the edges of the room - the base molding/shoe molding and transitions. This can be used if it is going over an existing flooring or on top of cement - more about this later. Now, because the floor is floated and not secured towards the floor there tends to be a bit more motion in the floor - you specifically see and hear this in laminate floors and it's more noticeable if it was poorly installed.

Given the definition, there are many types of floating floors as you'll see below, so at any time someone tells me they want or believe they need a floating floor, I have to dig a little deeper to make sure I am understanding their wants and needs because there are many types of floating floors. (Plus sometimes someone tells me they need a floating floor and when I arrive at their house I discover that they don't require a floating floor).

1 . Laminate flooring -Laminate floors are floating flooring. Laminate is fake - this looks like hardwood, but it's not – it's a digital picture of hard wood and it clicks together. (There may also be versions that look like tile) One of the advantage of laminate is that is less expensive compared to hardwood - both material-wise and labor-wise and it can often be placed on top of existing flooring without needing to tear it up, so this saves more money in labor.

2 . Some engineered hardwoods are floating floors. Hardwoods can be installed 3 ways: 1) nail down (if there is plywood there), 2) glue down (engineered only) and 3) floated (engineered only). Some hardwoods are specially made to click into place just like a laminate does (they are easier for do-it-yourselfers and some can be installed more than radiant heat). You click them into place and once they clicked on, they are locked into place. Another option for non-clickable engineered hardwood would be to glue the joints of the hardwood. Either way, both options require underlayment underneath the hardwood just as you would use for a laminate.

3. Cork is really a floating floor. They come in interlocking pieces (usually 1 ft x 3ft) and click together just as the laminate does.

4. Some vinyls are floating floors (but the majority of aren't). Usually vinyl is adhered down, but some of the more recent dietary fiber floors that have some fiberglass and further cushion for your feet can be glued or floated. If they are floated, they will just lie on top of the floor and they are secured along the base molding or cove base along the walls and cabinets.

So , after all of that, exactly why would someone want a floating ground? Here are some of the reasons:

1 . They wish to save money by not ripping up the floor. Instead, they just want to embark on top of it.

2 . They have asbestos tile on the floor and it would be dangerous/illegal to remove that (or very costly to have abatement company come in and skillfully abate it).

3. They have the floor where glue will not adhere to it well (e. g. epoxy flooring or floor w/ lots of side rails and not a flat surface.

4. These are putting hardwood on top of radiant high temperature (and hence need to avoid adhesives and nails).

Here are some reasons why customers mistakenly THINK they need a floating floor.

1 . They don't have plywood or it's going over a cement subfloor. This is the most frequent area of misunderstandings. While floating floors definitely will function over cement, you do not need to do a floating floor. You can, but you also provide the option of doing an engineered hard wood and gluing it down. So , be sure to understand your objectives as well as your budget before ruling options out there.

2 . It's below grade/in the basement. Floating floors can work in the basement, but other floors can also work so this is where it's necessary to understand the objective of the room, humidity issues and budget.

3. There exists a moisture issue. Well if there is the moisture issue, this should prob. be addressed first. Or, if you are not will make any changes, then pick the suitable floor that will work with moisture. Hard wood, laminate and cork are simply no no's if you have a moisture concern. Many customers mistakenly believe that laminate is waterproof, and I have information for you… it's not. It's made w/ hardwood shavings, so if you are concerned regarding hardwood and moisture same goes for laminate. If there is a moisture issue, consider vinyl or tile.

4. They have a sloping or uneven floor. Hard surfaces don't usually work well over uneven floors regardless of whether it's hardwood, laminate, or tile. it's best to level these out 1st, but the floor prep will cost you additional money. If budget is a concern w/ the leveling, the consider a more flexible surface such as vinyl, carpeting or rubber.

I know there are a lot of issues to consider and I suppose this is why begin focusing consult a professional. Everyone's situation and budget is different. Frequently, I will thin down to the 2 or 3 options that could work for my customers plus price them all out and then allow them to decide what works best with their needs and budget. I'll always add in my 2 cents (or sometimes even a nickel).

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