Floating flooring has become an increasingly popular flooring option in recent years. As the name suggests, floating floors are not nailed or glued to the subfloor below. Instead, they connect together through tongues and grooves, floating above the subfloor. This provides a number of advantages over traditional flooring methods. However, floating floors also come with some drawbacks to consider. This comprehensive guide will examine the pros and cons of floating flooring to help you determine if it’s the right choice for your home.
What is Floating Flooring?
Before diving into the pros and cons, let’s take a moment to better understand what exactly floating flooring is. Floating floors consist of interlocking planks or tiles that connect together to form the floor surface. The planks are not nailed or glued to the subfloor, allowing them to expand and contract freely.
There are a few different types of floating flooring:
- Laminate – Laminate floating floors have a photographic layer on top mimicking materials like wood or stone. The planks are constructed using high-density fiberboard (HDF) with a laminate finish.
- Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) – LVP floating floors are constructed from multiple layers including a vinyl wear layer on top. The core is often made from limestone or PVC composites.
- Engineered Hardwood – Engineered wood planks have multiple layers of either hardwood or plywood pressed together. The top layer is a thin veneer of solid hardwood.
- Cork – Floating cork floors have a top layer of cork glued to a backing material like MDF. These floors provide sound absorption.
- WPC Vinyl – WPC (wood plastic composite) vinyl combines vinyl with wood and plastic fibers for improved durability.
Floating floors are designed to be installed quickly and easily, either as a DIY project or handled professionally. The planks interconnect and are loose-laid on top of an underlayment pad or existing floor. No nails, glue, or mess to deal with!
Now that you understand the basics of floating flooring, let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages in greater detail.
Pros of Floating Floors
Floating floors offer a number of benefits that make them an attractive flooring solution for many homeowners. Here are some of the top advantages.
Easier Installation
One of the biggest pros for floating floors is the ease of installation. Since the planks or tiles interlock together and float freely on the subfloor, installation can be handled as a DIY project without special tools or flooring experience. Professional installation is also quicker and more affordable compared to nailed or glued down flooring.
You can save substantial money on installation costs by going the DIY route. Floating floors are ideal for those looking to replace flooring on a budget. The convenience of easy “click-together” planks is a major plus for DIYers and professionals alike.
Flexibility
Click-together floating floors offer much more flexibility compared to traditional flooring installation methods. Since they are not permanently affixed to the subfloor, the planks can shift and move freely.
This makes floating floors a great choice for installation over substrates prone to minor expansion and contraction. The floors can flex and shift seasonally without buckling or warping. Many floating flooring brands even allow installation directly over radiant heating systems.
The flexibility also makes future repairs and replacements much simpler. Damaged planks can be easily cut out and swapped without necessarily having to remove the entire floor. With floating installation, you avoid hassles like scraping up glued down residues.
Durability
Modern floating floor materials like laminate, LVP, and engineered wood provide exceptional durability for busy households. Advancements in wear layer technology allow many floating floors to resist scratches, stains, moisture, and dents better than solid hardwood or other natural flooring options.
Brands use aluminum oxide treatments and ceramic bead finishes to significantly improve surface wear and tear. Combining a durable top layer with a stable HDF or composite base, quality floating floors can handle pets, kids, and all the activities of daily living.
Proper underlayment installation is key to optimizing the lifespan of your floating floor. Underlayments provide moisture protection and sound dampening while smoothing out minor subfloor imperfections.
Waterproof Options
Installing floating floors allows you to take advantage of waterproof flooring options like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) or rigid core vinyl. This added moisture protection is ideal for kitchens, basements, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and other areas prone to spills.
LVP offers waterproof joints using precision tongue and groove engineering. The stable vinyl or composite cores won’t swell or deform when exposed to water. Compare this to solid hardwood which can buckle and warp permanently if it gets too wet.
Waterproof floors provide peace of mind for pet accidents, plumbing leaks, or cleaning mishaps. Just wipe up excessive liquid quickly to prevent it from seeping between the plank seams.
Affordability
Floating floors are generally more affordable than hardwood, stone, or tile flooring. Materials like laminate and LVP use less natural resources and cheaper base materials like MDF cores or limestone composites. More simplified manufacturing plus easier installation brings costs down compared to other flooring options.
Budget-friendly laminate floating floors start around $1 per square foot. Mid-range options like vinyl plank and engineered wood run $3-5 per square foot. And high-end brands with specialty finishes or exotic veneers can still cost significantly less than comparable materials.
You’ll also save on installation expenses by going the DIY route. Affordability makes floating floors ideal for large spaces, remodeling projects, and rental properties where replacing floors frequently makes sense.
Sound Insulation
Floating floors provide better sound dampening compared to hard surfaces installed directly on the subfloor. Quality underlayments absorb sound and footfall noise which is helpful for multi-floor homes.
Cork floating floors offer exceptional sound and vibration absorption properties. Even laminate and vinyl planks will insulate noise far better than tile or glued down hardwood which transmit noise easily.
If you need to keep sound transmission between floors to a minimum, be sure to select an underlayment designed specifically for sound dampening. This small added investment goes a long way to reduce noise complaints from downstairs neighbors.
Variety of Looks
The range of textures and finishes available with floating floors is unmatched. You can mimic almost any flooring material from hardwood to marble, concrete, and other unique looks.
Wood and stone styles are easily replicated using photographic surface layers bonded to laminate or vinyl planks. Grain patterns, colors, knots, and other characteristics get preserved on the flooring surface with precision. Brands like Mohawk, Shaw, and Allen & Roth offer hundreds of style options usually indistinguishable from the real thing.
If you desire a unique floor but not the maintenance and costs of real wood or stone, floating floors provide the perfect compromise. You get the handsome visuals paired with the convenience of synthetics.
Longevity
With proper care and maintenance, quality floating floors can provide decades of reliable life. Advancements in wear layers, moisture resistance, and stability result in products optimized for longevity.
Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning and protect the floors from excess moisture for best results. Areas with heavy furniture or appliance traffic will require occasional protective pads to prevent premature wear.
Floating floors won’t last forever, but warranties up to 30 years are not uncommon for reputable brands. With periodic repairs as needed, floating floors can be counted on to serve your home well for many years before requiring full replacement.
Cons of Floating Floors
For all their advantages, floating floors also come with some disadvantages to factor into your decision. Here are some of the biggest drawbacks to consider.
Vulnerable Seams
While advancements in locking mechanisms have improved stability, floating floors are still susceptible to damage if too much moisture works its way between the plank seams. Excess moisture from spills or leaks can compromise the integrity of the floor over time.
Adequate bathroom ventilation and immediate clean-up of excess liquid is crucial. Peel-and-stick seams offer increased water resistance compared to types that simply snap together. Underlayments with vapor barriers also safeguard against moisture infiltration.
Planks can also shift apart slightly if large appliances or furniture are dragged across the floor. Floating flooring requires a bit more care than permanently glued surfaces.
Hollow Sounds
Floating floors produce a slightly hollow, less satisfying sound compared to hardwood floors nailed tightly to the subfloor. Some brands have improved acoustics with better underlayments and stability, but the resonance differences remain.
For buyers that desire the most authentic hardwood auditory experience, this may be a disadvantage. Of course, many homeowners are willing to trade a bit less acoustic appeal for the ease and moisture protection of floating floors.
Difficult Repairs
While floating flooring allows you to quickly swap out a damaged plank, extensive repairs involving removal of multiple adjoining planks gets tricky. Removing several interconnected planks risks weakening the stability and connection strength.
Glued down hardwood floor repairs often involve sanding or refinishing damaged boards. Floating floors don’t allow this kind of site repair in most cases. Complete plank replacement is usually required.
Weaker Structure
The floating click-together design comes with some structural compromise compared to nailed hardwood or tile. While durability has improved significantly, heavy impacts, furniture legs, and pet claws can cause noticeable dents over time.
Thicker wear layers and improved underside padding provide better dent resistance. But homeowners with large pets or rowdy kids may want to consider more robust flooring.
Can’t Sand and Refinish
One advantage of site-finished hardwood is the ability to sand away scratches and blemishes, applying fresh stain or polyurethane for a renewed floor surface. This is not possible with floating laminate, vinyl, or engineered wood floors.
At some point after years of use, these floors will show too much cumulative wear and tear requiring full replacement. There are techniques for refinishing engineered hardwood by removing the veneer, but this specialized service comes with no guarantees.
Resale Value Uncertainty
It’s hard to predict how well floating floors will hold their value long-term compared to nailed hardwood. While materials and installation have improved greatly, experienced home buyers recognize that site-finished hardwood offers longer-term stability and repairs.
However, newer homes often utilize floating floors throughout for the convenience factor during construction. As floating floors gain more widespread adoption in all types of real estate, durability concerns and value impacts will likely decline. Only time will tell how they hold up on the resale market.
Can’t Go Over Concrete Slabs
Because they require a stable, flat substrate, floating floors are not recommended for installation directly over concrete slabs. Minor cracks in the concrete will telegraph through to the planks resulting in an uneven surface.
You either need to install a new plywood subfloor over concrete before laying floating floors, or consider alternative flooring better suited for slabs. This limitation means floating floors often don’t work for basements.
Transition Strips Required
Floating floors should not make direct contact with fixed surfaces like walls, cabinets, staircases, or doorjambs. This allows the flooring to freely expand and contract without buckling.
Transition strips, trim moldings, or gap fillers must be installed anywhere the floating floor meets another surface. This creates some additional work during installation. Nailed hardwood floors can butt right up to fixed surfaces without transitions.
Floating Flooring Pros and Cons Summary
Here’s a quick recap of the major advantages and disadvantages of floating flooring:
Floating Floor Pros
- Easier DIY installation
- Flexibility and contraction/expansion
- Exceptional durability from new materials
- Waterproof vinyl and composite options
- Better affordability than hardwood or stone
- Effective sound dampening potential
- Huge variety of colors and textures
- Long warranties signify longevity
Floating Floor Cons
- Vulnerable seams prone to moisture damage
- Hollow acoustic profile compared to hardwood
- Difficult repairs beyond swapping planks
- Weaker structure susceptible to dents
- Can’t sand and refinish like site-finished hardwood
- Resale value uncertainty long-term
- Not recommended over concrete slabs
- Transition strips required around fixed surfaces
Carefully weigh these pros and cons to determine if floating vinyl, laminate, or engineered hardwood is the right choice for your next flooring project. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines for best results.
With the right product selection and proper care, floating floors offer homeowners an unrivaled combination of convenience, durability, and versatility. This innovative flooring technology continues advancing rapidly to mimic any material imaginable while withstanding real-world abuse.
Frequently Asked Questions About Floating Floors
Still have some questions about whether floating flooring is right for your home? Here we answer some of the most common inquiries about these versatile floors.
Is floating flooring durable?
Yes, most quality floating floor brands are exceptionally durable these days. Advances in aluminum oxide wear layers, stabilizing cores, and moisture resistance allow good floating floors to last for decades under normal household use. Just be sure to select a trusted brand and buy recommended underlayment for your situation.
Can you install floating floor over concrete?
Floating floors are not usually recommended for direct installation over concrete slabs. Minor cracks in the concrete will telegraph through to the floor’s surface. You can install a new plywood subfloor over concrete before laying the floating floor. Other flooring types like glued down vinyl work better over bare concrete.
Is floating floor noisy?
In general, floating floors provide better sound dampening than hard surfaces installed directly on the subfloor. Underlayments designed for sound absorption help minimize noise transmission to the room below. Hard-soled shoes will make some noise, but floating floors are not inherently noisy with proper underlayment.
Is floating floor good for bathroom?
Certain waterproof floating flooring like luxury vinyl plank (LVP) works excellently in bathrooms. Just avoid excessive moisture exposure and enable proper airflow. Leave proper expansion room around the perimeter and use bathroom-rated underlayment with a vapor barrier.
Can you refinish engineered hardwood flooring?
Technically you can refinish engineered hardwood floating floors by removing the thin wood veneer and applying a fresh layer. But this requires specialized tools and carries a degree of irreparable damage risk. In most cases it makes more sense to replace damaged planks as needed.
How long do floating vinyl floors last?
Quality vinyl floating floors can provide 20-30 years of life with proper care and maintenance. Follow manufacturer guidelines for cleaning and protecting the floors. Areas with heavy traffic may require more frequent repairs or replacements.
Conclusion
Floating floors provide many advantages that explain their growing popularity for renovation and new construction projects. Easy DIY installation, durability, sound insulation, and moisture resistance make them an attractive choice for busy families.
However, the vulnerable seams, acoustic challenges, weaker structure, and lack of refinishability point toward traditional hardwood for some buyers. Carefully weigh the pros and cons against your needs and project scope to decide if floating vinyl, laminate or engineered hardwood is the right solution for your home.
With proper product selection and care, floating floors offer a proven formula blending convenience, versatility, and performance. Continue researching leading brand comparisons, costs, warranties, and maintenance requirements as you assess options. Floating floors provide a uniquely flexible and affordable flooring solution worth your strong consideration.