Floating Floors - Glued vs Floating Guide

Installing new floors can be an exciting yet daunting process for many homeowners. With so many options on the market, it can be confusing to determine whether floating or glued down is the best choice for your space and needs.

Read on for an in-depth look at these two popular flooring installation methods.

What Are Floating Floors?

Floating floors derive their name from the fact that they are not nailed or glued to the subfloor below. Instead, they "float" above it. This floating design allows the floor to expand and contract naturally with changes in humidity and temperature.

Floating floors are composed of multiple layers fused together into planks or tiles during manufacturing:

• A bottom balancing layer
• A waterproof or water-resistant core middle layer
• A decorative top layer showing the visible floor surface grain/texture

During installation, the planks or tiles interconnect by either a click-lock system or tongue-and-groove assembly. An underlayment layer can be added between the subfloor and floating floor to help smooth imperfections.

Benefits of Floating Flooring

There are several advantages that make floating floors an extremely popular choice right now:

• Affordable - Floating floors provide the look of solid hardwood at a fraction of the cost.
• Faster installation - DIY friendly floating floors can be installed up to 5x faster than glued down floors using just a utility knife, saw, and rubber mallet.
• No permanent commitment - The non-permanent nature means floating floors can be easily replaced or removed in the future.
• Moisture resistant - Waterproof core layers shield against moisture from below.
• Ideal for uneven subfloors - Floating installations easily adapt to minor subfloor imperfections.

Potential Downsides of Floating Floors

Despite advantages, floating floors also come with a few drawbacks to consider:

• Durability concerns - Less structural stability means joints can separate over time.
• Noise potential - Floating construction is more prone to minor creaking noises when walked on.
• Not suitable for all rooms - Floating floors are best avoided in damp/wet rooms like basements or laundries.

Glued Down Flooring Overview

In contrast to floating floor systems, glued down floors get affixed directly to the subfloor underneath. A high-quality flooring adhesive bonds boards, planks or tiles firmly across the entire floor area with full-spread sticking power.

When is Glued Down Flooring Used?

While floating floors work well for above-grade areas, glued down floors are often better suited for:

• Concrete subfloors - Provides stability over cracked/uneven concrete.
• Below-grade rooms - Better moisture protection for basements.
• Wet areas - Water-resistant adhesives prevent water damage in bathrooms/laundries.
• Floor heating systems - Creates better heat transfer to rooms above radiant heating.

Glued Flooring Pros & Cons

Gluing boards delivers heightened stability but also comes with a few downsides such as:

• Pros - More durable for high traffic, less noise, level surface
• Cons - Permanent installation, uneven floors require subfloor prep, slower installation time, harder DIY

Floating vs. Glued Flooring Comparison

Now that we've covered the basics of floating vs. glued down floors, let's compare some of the key differences:

Cost Differences Between Floating & Glued

In most cases, floating floor installations run 25-50% less expensive than comparable glued down floors. Time and labor account for most glued flooring costs. Floating floors offer DIY friendly fast installation to save on excessive labor fees.

Installation Process Comparison

Durability & Lifespan Analysis

The structural permanence of glued floors typically equates to better performance long-term. Properlyinstalled glued down floors last 25-50 years on average - notably longer than cheaper floating optionsmore prone to wear.

Noise Level Differences

With direct subfloor contact across the entire surface, glued floors provide less creaking and sound echo when walked on. Floating constructions see more noise potential as planks can shift subtly against each other over time.

Which Has Better Moisture Resistance?

It depends on the product! Many premium vinyl and laminate floating floors now incorporate highly waterproof cores. But top-tier glue down wood floors with moisture-blocking adhesives also resist water well. Evaluate both flooring and adhesive selections to determine best moisture protection.

What Types of Rooms Are Best Suited to Floating Floors?

Thanks to quick installation and affordability, floating floors work nicely for renovating:

• Bedrooms
• Living spaces
• Dining rooms
• Enclosed outdoor patios/sunrooms

Their flexibility and simplicity also make DIY floating floor installation achievable for the average homeowner without professional equipment.

What Kinds of Subfloors Work Best For Floating Installations?

Floating floors can be installed over most existing hard surface flooring or substrates:

• Plywood
• OSB (oriented strand board)
• Concrete
• Existing tile
• Non-cushion sheet vinyl
• Metal & terrazzo

Subfloor Prep Tips for Floating Installations

Although floating floor underlayments help smooth imperfections, proper subfloor prep is still a must:

• The surface should be flat within 3/16" over 10 ft radius maximum
• Fill any cracks or holes with patching compound
• Subfloors must be clean - remove wax, grease, paints, or existing adhesives

Can You Install Floating Floors Over Existing Surfaces?

In many cases, yes! Floating floors can be successfully installed over a variety of existing floor coverings:

Existing Flooring Types Compatible with Floating Floors

• Hardwood
• Laminates
• Linoleum
• Sheet vinyl (single layer, non-cushioned)
• Ceramic tile

Ensure the surface area is flat, well-bonded, and prepared properly beforehand per the manufacturer's recommendations.

DIY Floating Floor Installation Guide

Step-by-Step Floating Floor Install Instructions

Installing floating floors allows homeowners to upgrade flooring themselves without an army of tools or supplies. Follow these basic DIY steps:

1. Prepare the subfloor - Clean, smooth, and level the surface
2. Lay underlayment - Roll out cushioning underlayment if desired
3. Establish layout - Dry lay a few planks and check alignment
4. Begin installing - Connect planks together with click-lock or tongue-and-groove
5. Finish trims - Install wall baseboards and transition trims last

Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

Steer clear of these common rookie floating floor mistakes:

• Not adequately prepping subfloors beforehand
• Failing to leave proper expansion gaps along walls/fixed objects
• Forgetting to stagger planks in bricklike pattern
• Neglecting to use tapping block when tapping planks together

Finding the Best Floating Floor Brands & Styles

With an abundance of options on the market, selecting quality floors which suit your needs and budget can get overwhelming. Learn the top-rated picks across categories:

Top Brands of Floating Vinyl Planks

Waterproof vinyl planks reign supreme in kitchens, baths, and laundry rooms thanks to unrivaled durability and realistic visuals. Shop brands like Karndean , Shaw Floorte , or Mohawk for superb luxury vinyl floating floors guaranteed to impress.

Highly Rated Engineered Floating Wood Options

Seeking natural wood aesthetics? Opt for engineered wood floats combining durable plywood cores with real wood veneers up top. Dream Home and Home Legend manufacture especially affordable and attractive engineered floating floors in a vast array of wood looks.

For those wanting wood visuals on a budget, laminate flooring floats can't be beaten. Industry leaders like Pergo and Quick-Step offer rock-solid warranties and extreme AC ratings ideal for homes with kids, pets, and high traffic demands.

We hope this glued down vs. floating flooring guide gave you the knowledge needed to decide what's best for your installation project and home. Happy flooring hunting!