Blog: What Are Floating Floors?

Most homeowners prefer floating floors as an alternative option for flooring. These floors float over the substrate or underlying surface rather than being linked to them. The term "floating" refers to how a locking mechanism or adhesive to the subfloor holds the floor in place without being fastened to the flooring.

These floors are not directly connected to the underlying structure or subfloor. They're instead put on top of the underlayment and are kept in place by the flooring material's weight and the room walls. 

This flooring is very popular because its installation process is undoubtedly very easy. Also, you can use it to protect a different kind of subfloor, such as concrete, plywood, existing tile, or hardwood floors.

Float Into Flooring Bliss!

Types of Floating Floor

There are various options for floating flooring which you can select for your home.

• Floating wood floors: Impressive floating wood floor options are available for homeowners who want to make their homes attractive and get the vibe of traditional hardwood floors. As it contains genuine wood, this flooring makes your home complementable. 

• Floating tile floors: Floating tile floors and floorboards are similar. However, they contain tile, not wood. Some places in our house need water resistance, such as washrooms and kitchens. For these places, floating tile floors are the best option. These tiles contain different kinds of materials like porcelain, pottery, and stone. You can install it very easily and apply it to drape widespread subfloor types, cement, and plywood. These are very long-lasting and resistant to depreciation, so this will be the right call for high-traffic zones.

• Waterproof floating floor: A waterproof floating floor is the right choice for those people looking for a water-repellent flooring option. These waterproof floating flooring are an excellent choice for kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms because they're made up of vinyl and rubber materials and are resistant to water damage. 

Materials and Quality

Floating floorboards are made from different kinds of materials, such as engineered wood, vinyl, and laminate. Their design is so amazing and complimentable. It looks like hardwood floors.

You can easily install it and use it to drape widespread subfloor types, cement, and plywood. Homeowners are always looking for a budget-friendly option, so this will be the perfect one for them. 

Because it's easy to set up and has multiple designs and materials, when you select a waterproof floating floor, a floating wood floor, or a floating tile floor, make sure it makes your floor endure attractive and, most importantly, long-lasting.

Benefits of using Floating Floors 

There are lots of benefits to using these waterproof floors because it can make them a perfect decision for those areas where precipitation is a main concern.

• The first benefit of floating floors is that they are affordable to Install, and you can install them over a variety of subfloors, along with cement, plywood, and existing tile or hardwood floors. An impressive choice for homeowners who want to make their homes attractive without changing their existing floors, this can be a perfect option for them.

• Installing a floating floor is quite easy. If you can't do this, get help from a DIY prodigy (get expert tips here) or a professional floor installer who has knowledge of this. Before installing the planks or tiles, you must have to put down an underlayment over the subfloor.

• Another benefit of floating floors is that they're more pocket-friendly in comparison to traditional hardwood or tile floors. It needs only a few materials, and you can install this easily. It's unlike traditional floors because they take a lot of time. For busy households, floating floors are undoubtedly the best option because it's easy to maintain, and you can also clean them quickly.

• The last benefit of floating floors is that it's much more substantial than traditional hardwood or tile floors. These materials won't warp or bend over time and won't scratch easily. So for high-traffic areas and especially homes because there are little kids and families and lots of action can happen anytime, these kinds of floating floors are a good choice.

Disadvantages of Floating Floors

• Traditional hardwood or tile floors differ from floating floors because they are not directly joined to the subfloor.

• Moving or shifting these tiles anywhere may decrease their stability over time.

• As they are not directly joined to the subfloor, they could face some problems, one of which is water damage.

• Without the same level of insulation, traditional flooring can be more soundproof than floating floors.

• It won't be replaceable and very hard to repair because it's not directly joined to the subfloor.

• They can be a bit poor regarding energy efficiency, as they don't contain similar insulation as traditional floor levels.

• Their maintenance and installation costs are much higher than traditional floors.

How to Choose the Right Floating Floors

When you're selecting a floating floor for your and your special ones' homes, just follow these tips below:

1. It is very important to select the perfect kind of underlayment when it comes to floating floors. It will provide cushioning and padding, which helps to reduce noise and improve the overall performance of the flooring. Waterproof underlayments are beneficial for these areas where precipitation is a main concern.

2. One of the main viewpoints you must consider while installing these floors is the expansion gap. This is a very tiny hole passed on around the edge of the space to permit the flooring to scale up and deal with the humidity. Over time, not providing enough expansion spaces might cause the flooring to bend or distort.

3. When you're installing a floating floor, make sure that the subfloor is in healthy condition. Any inequality or subfloor damage can make your floating floor damageable. So, it's very important to use the right kind of underlayment and adhesives to guarantee that the floor stays safe.

Conclusion

To conclude, these floors are a well-known and versatile type of adaptable flooring that's usable in a variety of interiors. They are not only quick to install, but also their maintenance and cleaning process is very easy. It is highly resistant to scratches and dents.

They provide you with lots of options to select from, making them an excellent choice for homeowners wishing to update the look of their houses. However, it is necessary to use the right underlayment and leave enough deployment holes when installing floating floors. 

It will ensure the flooring's resilience and longevity. Do you need any help if you're not aware of the right underlayment for floating floors? Worry not; we're here to assist you! Just contact us and leave your concerns; our experts will reach you ASAP!