We get asked this all the time - what exactly is a floating floor? Another question we often get: will my flooring float away if there is a flood? Here are our answers: A floating floor is a relatively new flooring concept. It is simply a floor that can be installed on top of an existing subfloor or floor. It won’t float away in case of a flood!
Floating floors are a great option for homeowners with extremely old hardwood. Refinishing hardwood takes a lot of time and money, and installing a floating floor on top is a great cost-effective option. Hardwood isn’t the only option for a floating floor! As long as the floor is in good shape and structurally sound, you can install a floating floor over vinyl, tile, ceramic, laminate, etc. The only limitation is carpet - you can’t install a floating floor over carpet!
Most commonly, these floor planks come with tongue and groove joints. That means they click together easily, with no need for glue! As the name suggests, they “float” above the existing flooring.
You may be wondering - are there any cons to a floating floor? There are a few, but they aren’t a huge deal in our book. These floors aren’t quite as durable as their nail-down or glue-down counterparts because of the small pocket of air between the subfloor underneath and the floating floor. This is a bigger issue under heavy furniture, but it depends on the quality of the floor. If you purchase a high-quality flooring option, you most likely will get many years out of your floating floor. That same pocket of air can also amplify sound, making a floating floor a less sound-dampening option. The last factor we’ll mention is its adaptability to humidity. Because floating floors are generally made of composite materials and not real hardwood, they are subject to shrinking, but not expansion. When real wood shrinks, it retains the material and can go back to a normal or expanded state. On the other hand, synthetic materials can shrink, but never expand. Once that material is gone - it’s gone for good. This can lead to gaps in your flooring.
Don’t let these cons discourage you! A lot of these issues can be prevented by ensuring you purchase a high-quality product and install it properly. As with anything, the amount of prep work and attention to detail determines the final outcome. You can rely on Wilmac Flooring for both quality products and installation. Our showroom features many different types and styles of floating floors, and our installation team is second to none. If you’re in the market for a floating floor renovation, contact us and we can help the process go as smoothly as possible.
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