Floating Hardwood Floors
						
					

					

						by Adele Joy

Floating  hardwood floors are stable, quiet, durable and easy to maintain.  Unlike traditional hardwood floors, which are nailed or glued down,  floating hardwood floors are not attached to the subfloor. Because  they ‘float’ like this, though being glued or snapped together,  movement in the boards is spread across the entire floor, making gaps  less likely to appear and improving stability. They can be installed  over virtually any type of subfloor, such as concrete, plywood, sheet  vinyl or ceramic tiles.


This  makes them the ideal option in areas where hardwood flooring cannot  be attached to the subfloor, for example when the subfloor is  concrete. Floating hardwood floors are usually laid over a foam  underlay which provides many further benefits: a moisture barrier,  good noise insulation, and cushioning so the floor is comfortable to  walk or stand on for extended periods of time. 
Several  floating floor materials are available, such as engineered and  laminate flooring.



  

    
Laminate  	flooring is a budget option for those who want the look of real wood without  	the price tag. This is accomplished by photographing real wood  	flooring and pasting the images on to the laminate. Today’s  	laminates are of excellent quality, with a highly authentic look.


  


  

    
Engineered  	flooring consists of several layers of wood veneer glued to a plywood base.  	It is resistant to changes in humidity, expanding and contracting  	less than other types of wood flooring and thus very stable.


  

Bamboo  flooring is one popular floating hardwood floor option, and is  available as both engineered and laminate flooring.
Installing  Your Floating Hardwood Floor


Installation  is relatively easy, making it a great DIY project and money-saver (by  avoiding the need for professional installation). The most common way  of joining wood planks in a floating installation is to use an  adhesive between the joints



  

    
Preparation

      If  	the room is carpeted, remove it to expose the subfloor, and check  	that the subfloor is level by laying a wood plank on its edge. If  	there is a significant space between the plank and the floor (more  	than ¾ inch), you will need to spread a self leveling joint  	compound on the floor. Ensure this has dried completely before  	laying the flooring. If the subfloor is sound, the flooring can be  	installed right on top.

    
  
  

    
Layout

    When  	planning the layout it is important to remember to leave a ½  	inch gap between the floor and the walls to accommodate for  	expansion and contraction of the wood. Generally, floating hardwood  	floors can be laid in any direction so you can choose the layout  	that best suits the environment of the room and of course your  	tastes. Many people take into account where the light enters the  	room and the entrances and exits.


  


  

    
Installation

    
    

      

        
Vacuum  		the subfloor to remove any dust and debris. If it is concrete, lay  		plastic lining to protect the flooring from moisture.
      
      

        
Then  		roll out the underlay perpendicular to the direction of the planks. Plan  		where you want each plank of wood before gluing.
      
      

        
While  		installing the floor, take steps to protect it by laying tools on a  		towel or soft cloth, as well as kneeling on one.
      
      

        
Lay  		the first plank with its tongue edge facing out, and run a bead of  		glue along the joint or edge of the wood.
      
      

        
Working  		from left to right across the room, insert the second plank and  		gently tap together using a hammer and tapping block, which  		protects the tongue or edge of the plank from damage.
      
      

        
Continue  		laying the floor as above. Once most of the floor is installed, you  		will run out of room for the tapping block. At this point, use a  		pulling iron and hammer to draw the planks together.
      
      

        
Lastly,  		conceal the expansion space with baseboard molding. Ensure it is  		nailed to the wall and not to the floor.
      
      

        
Once  		the installation is complete, let the floor set before walking on  		it.