Floating wood floors are extremely popular because of the ease of installation, the low cost, the durability and the variety of looks. This unique type of installation method isn’t really the name of the material itself, but more of the how the planks are made and put together. Many people wonder if their current flooring is a good candidate for floating wood floors.
All About Floating Wood Floors
Floating wood floors are made so that instead of planks of wood being attached to a substrate with nails or adhesive, they lock together to stay in place. These joints are very well-engineered and hold tightly together. They can be installed on any grade. They allow for expansion and contractions due to changes in moisture and temperature. Many of these specialty floors are easy enough that an experienced DIY installer can do it. However, one of the biggest advantages is that this type of wood floor can also be installed over a number of different existing floors.
Types of Existing Floors
The good news is that there are a number of existing floors that welcome the addition of a floating wood floor. Here is a short list of the types of existing floors that floating floors can be installed over:
- Concrete—As long as the concrete floor is smooth and dry, the wood flooring can be installed on all grade levels.
- Resilient—There are all kinds of resilient floors, but the kind that can get the new floors installed over them are those that are single-layer and fully adhered. It should not be cushion-backed or foam-backed.
- Ceramic tile, stone or marble—Smooth, unbroken surfaces are ideal for floating wood floors.
- Subfloors—A suspended wood subfloor can support a floating wood floor when there are approved wood underlayments. It must have a minimum of 18-inch well-ventilated crawl space underneath.
As some of the most versatile new flooring out there, this unique type of wood floor can really change the look and function of a home or office without a lot of money for preparation and installation.
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