In the classic film, The Princess Bride, fictional character Inigo Montoya made this famous quote, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” For most, outside of the industry, the same just might apply to the understanding of the use of the word floating when it comes to flooring. For certain, on a hot summer day, one could very easily drift off in a daydream of floating down their favorite river or just hanging out in their local pool. But for those interested in installing a floating floor, what does the term floating floor even mean?
What Is A Floating Floor?
A floating floor is a floor that doesn’t need to be nailed or glued to the subfloor. With this, the term of floating floor refers to a method of installation. It has also been similarly used alongside laminate flooring as well. And for good reason.
The floating floor was first introduced in Sweden in the late 1970’s to revolutionize installation. With this the development of reinforced laminate flooring emerged. Much like that of a jigsaw puzzle, the manufacturing of planks used for this method came with tongue and groove joints making for much easier installation replacing what was traditionally done to hold flooring in place by nailing or gluing the material to the subfloor surface.
What Type Of Flooring Material Can Be Floating Floor Installation?
With a wide range of flooring options to choose from, what type of flooring material can be used for a floating floor? Here are three different types of materials, which have benefited by advanced technology for making installation, a snap. Of course, we invite you to connect with anyone of our expert team members at Simple Floors Portland to learn more about the wide array of choices we offer.
Laminate Floors
With the advancement in technology, laminate flooring has come a long way. With the ability for floor manufacturers simulate an authentic hardwood floor look. This option reduces the cost alone when place up against actual hardwood floor. Installation costs are greatly reduced as well for the ease of installing this type of material. Over time, the advancements in snap-together technology by manufacturing companies has literally made installing this type of material, a snap.
Originally, the floating process was invented for laminate flooring as we discussed earlier in regards to its introduction in Sweden in the 70’s.
Engineered Floors
Real wood floors that are manufactured to improve stability are what is called an engineered wood floor. And, much like laminate floors, can also be manufactured with that same snap-together technology.
Engineered wood floors, in function, are essentially wood floors, but also have an inner core which has additional layers that makes the flooring increasingly resistant to temperature change and humidity as well as provides increased strength.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Flooring, or LVF, can certainly be glued to the subfloor, but it can also snap together each board at a time.
Are Floating Floors Easy To Install?
As we detailed previously, with the advancement of flooring technology, the installation process has become increasingly easier.
For many DIYers, or Do It Yourself installers, floating floors have been made much easier by removing some of the more cumbersome components of installations such as nailing down or gluing hardwood flooring. With floating floors, the floorboards are easily connected without need for special tools. Floating floors can also be installed over most subfloors. However, you will want to ensure that the subfloor level is sound, clean, dry, and flat.
For these reasons alone, the cost of installing floating floors is greatly reduced.
What Are Some Of The Benefits Of Floating Floors?
- Ease of Installation
- Can be installed on top of existing floor
- Can add a layer of insulation
- Makes installing process faster
- Large selection of floating floor materials
However, as easy as it sounds to install your flooring with the floating floor method, there’s a little more to this process than just snapping pieces together.
Simple Floors Portland Is Ready To Help
Now that you have decided to use this method of installation, we’ll help guide you through determining the right materials for the look you are wanting to achieve as well as the right price for your project. With this, we can also help you determine how much material you will need for your entire installation project.
Did you know that Simple Floors Portland provides wood, hardwood, engineered and laminate flooring as well as tile, carpet and countertop products at factory direct prices? Our special factory direct relationships give you the best flooring prices in Portland and surrounding Oregon and SW Washington communities.
At Simple Floors Portland, we’d love to help you with your next floor installation project. Together, we can help make sure you are asking all the right questions and help provide you with all the knowledge to make installing your floors with this method, well.. a snap.
