Floating vs. Glue-Down Engineered Hardwood (2024)

FAQs

Floating vs. Glue-Down Engineered Hardwood? ›

If you are trying to decide between the two, then for engineered wood flooring floating is usually the best option as you can install it quickly and don't have to worry about which glue to use and how long to wait for it to dry. If you are installing hardwood flooring then using glue may give you a more stable result.

Glued down engineered wood flooring is the most popular method of installation, and we always recommend this options because it's the more stable option out of the two.

Floating engineered wood flooring offers advantages like ease of installation and cost-effectiveness. However, it's essential to consider the downsides like movement, sound issues, and moisture sensitivity.

Yes! Using floating hardwood floors allow you to have the beauty of hardwood in moisture-prone basem*nts, where solid hardwood flooring is not recommended. In a floating installation with engineered hardwood, boards respond to humidity and temperature changes as a unit, expanding toward the walls or contracting away.

The most common cause of peaking is no expansion in your floating floor between the walls/vertical surfaces, or the overzealous use of water. This “expansion gap” allows for the entire floor to expand/contract in situations of changeable weather conditions, for example when it is raining or when the weather is warm.

In short, yes you can refinish engineered hardwood flooring but there are things to consider are how many times has it been refinished and how thick your wear layer is.

Folks use heavy furniture, aquariums, etc. on floating floors all the time. If the floor can move elsewhere it's probably fine. Be sure to acclimate the flooring well.

However, if the bounce or deflection is excessive, it may indicate a problem with the subfloor or the installation. Here are some possible causes of excessive bounce in a floating floor: Uneven subfloor: If the subfloor is not level or has dips or humps, it can cause the floating floor to be uneven and bouncy.

Yes, floating floors will settle in time. Don't worry about it.

Can mold grow under engineered hardwood? ›

Hardwood floors are known for their elegance and durability, but they are susceptible to a particular issue: hardwood floor mold damage. Moisture can seep into the cracks of hardwood floors, creating an environment conducive to mold growth.

Protecting engineered wood floors

Avoid using harsh chemicals on any type of wood flooring. Chemicals such as bleach or ammonia can ruin the finish. Always check a cleaning product to ensure it's safe for use on wood. Stay away from using sandpaper to remove spots or dings, as grit can harm the floor's finish.

Underlays are helpful for any type of engineered wood flooring. While you can install engineered wood floors without an underlayment, the extra support and insulation add a lot to a room. To get the most out of your underlayment, you'll have to look into which materials work best with the type of wood floor you have.

Floating vinyl plank floors are a great choice for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and bedrooms. If you are laying floors in a large and expansive area, a glue down flooring application can provide more durability. Of course, glue-down applications are appropriate for smaller rooms as well.

Because the flooring isn't attached to the sub-floor, it can move slightly when walking over it. However this is often tiny movements, caused by the underlay compressing underfoot. A hollow or echoed sound can sometimes occur when walking over a floating floor.

In the case of glue-down tiles and planks, warping can occur due to water spillage that is not cleaned up immediately and has seeped under the flooring through the seams. To prevent warping, it is important to maintain and care for your vinyl flooring regularly.

If your room(s) have a concrete subfloor, gluing the floor down will be your best option. This will allow a large continuous installation with few transition pieces. In very dry or humid regions, gluing the floor down will limit expansion and contraction of the floor.

A good majority of engineered floors come with “click lock” systems. This system is designed so that the flooring will lock into itself, and thus negate the need for any sort of fastener or adhesive. Other styles of floating floors are installed via glue seam.