A floating floor is a means of installing a floor instead of going for a particular type of flooring material. In this method, the individual boards and planks are attached to one other by snapping them together or gluing, but they are not attached to the substrate (whether through sub-floor or underlayment) on which it is installed. At times, floating floors are thought of as floors which are vertically elevated from the subfloor so that there is some space between the subfloor and the floating floors.
A good analogy for the understanding of the floating floors can be like a jigsaw puzzle. In the puzzle, the pieces are connected to one another, and not to the table. The following things are kept intact:
- The puzzle is kept in place
- Weight of the puzzle remains the same
- There is friction contact between the table and the puzzle
- The individual pieces have a side attachment
Why Make Floating Floors?
Flooring enhances the complete aesthetic appeal of your house, when it is installed appropriately. The right installation of afloating floor is as essential as choosing the right flooring material. These days, people are increasingly choosing the floating flooring process. A misnomer (something with an inaccurate name), this type of floor really refers to the installation process. The material comprises planks that are installed without gluing, stapling or nailing to the subfloor. Rather than fastening to the subfloor, the planks are joined together which allows the floor to ‘float’ on the surface below.
Types of Floating Floor Options
There are various types of flooring from which the homeowners can choose. These include the following:
- Glue Together: This is an older version of the floating floor. This one is assembled with the help of the right adhesive material and pressure is applied to the planks for binding them together.
- Click Together: This process is also known as the tongue and groove process. Here, the edges of the planks are designed in a way that they easily click together when combined and tapped on the edge towards one another. This does not allow you to use any adhesive which makes installation process time saving and trouble free.
- Lock and Fold: This is the latest method and also the fastest. It requires neither tapping the planks nor sticking them with glue. In this sort of floating system, the planks are held together with a specially milled interlocking system.
The main reason for the popularity of the floating floor is the various benefits that it offers. The primary advantage of choosing the floating floor is that it is convenient and a hassle free option and this helps in saving all the time and effort. The method of installation is so simple that the flooring of the room can be completed within a few hours, whether the installer is an amateur or a pro. It is also available on a range of materials such as cork, plastic laminate, bamboo, linoleum and hardwood. You may choose from the options that are available based on your budget and preferences.
The floating floor is also the primary choice if your house suffers from moisture or humidity issues. Most floor options are affected with fluctuations in humidity and moisture. For instance, the wood planks contract when the humidity is less and expand when it is high, thus leading to buckling and gaps. As the floating floors are not attached to the surface beneath, they do not have these issues. It expands and contracts as a complete unit without causing buckling and gaps. There are also Spacers left along the walls to make the room for expansion.
Above mentioned options help you to understand the selection of Floating Floor. If you would like to know more then go here and get more information.
