The term is most closely tied to laminate flooring installations, although it’s found its way to other areas over the years as well. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 209,597 times. I have old linoleum/asbestos tiles on the floor over the concrete slab. The floating floor (also called raised floor ) is an installation method that involves the interlocking installation of planks, boards or tiles at a certain distance from the surface to be covered. Although it's perfectly possible to buy only the amount required for the job, it's beneficial to purchase a little more than necessary to account for mistakes and patch-ups, especially if you're installing for … When it comes to distinguishing between installing a floating floor vs a nail-down or glue-down type method, it is imperative that you weigh the good along with the bad before making any final decisions.One of the most obvious advantages that a floating floor has over a non-floating floor is ease of installation. •    The surface of the slab should be smooth, flat and free from projections. My flooring will not lay flat. If found so, trimming 5 mm off the offending edge using an electric dovetail-blade reciprocating saw might solve it. If you have one, a dead-blow hammer will remove the need for a kick tool or wood block to serve as padding. Calculate how many boxes of floating flooring and how many rolls of foam underlayment you will need to purchase. Hopefully they are thin enough to put the base boards right over. Floating floors tend to disassemble easily since they are not attached to the subfloor. This article has been viewed 209,597 times. Can I put vinyl planks over ceramic tile? A floating floor is one that is not screwed or nail or fixed to the sub floor, instead the floor covering (usually chipboard, gypsum or cement fibre boards) floats on top of the insulation layer. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Most DIY levelers are easy to install. Do I put the floating floor underneath the kitchen cabinets or around them? With use the floor comes apart--unlocks. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Where do I start in a room when installing a floating floor? Interlocking for floating installation. Unless you live in a place with drastic humidity changes, leave those suckers in. To create this article, 15 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Floating flooring refers to the method of installation used for a variety of floor types, including laminate, vinyl, and engineered planks. Optimum performance vacuum insulation panels provide the thinnest possible solution for floor insulation. Newer laminate floating floors are dry-joined with a fold-and-lock mechanism; they are simple to detach. It shouldn't take too long, but the total time will depend mainly on the size of the room you are doing. Floating is the most common installation method and involves attaching or clicking the panels, which blocks out moisture. The benefits of floating laminate, hybrid or timber flooring include affordable and easy installation, engineered durability and resilience. For queries relating to insulation boards, cavity closers or membranes. Yes, if the subfloor is strong enough. The U-values that this will achieve are available on our online U-Value calculator. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Be sure to cut the right end of the planking. No. Evaluate the space where you plan to install the floating flooring. Laminate flooring is a versatile alternative to other floor types since it can mimic their look while also offering significant strength. It can easily be installed on top of an existing concrete slab. If the subfloor is plywood, such as on a first floor with a basement or a second floor, placing a heavy load will cause it to sag over time if not reinforced. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. But like all floors, laminate has its own installation quirks. When you install the floor, you'll need to leave a quarter-inch space between the flooring edges and walls or any other permanent floor spaces, such as the base of cabinets. This article has been viewed 209,597 times. Putting in your own pre-finished hardwood flooring costs less than having a professional install it. •    If there is no damp proof membrane in the concrete floor, one (minimum 300 micron / 1200 gauge polythene) should be laid with joints well lapped and folded, to prevent the passage of ground water, over the concrete floor slab, or beam and block floor, prior to installing the insulation boards. An appropriate underlayment may minimize noise. Floating Hardwood Floor Overview Illustration by Gregory Nemec. A floating floor is one that is not screwed or nail or fixed to the sub floor, instead the floor covering (usually chipboard, gypsum or cement fibre boards) floats on top of the insulation layer. Can I install a floating floor in a room that does not have heat in the winter? It is typically taken to mean a lightweight construction where chipboard, gypsum or cement fibre board floor panels are ‘floated’ across the top of the rigid insulation layer. Why do you need spacers around the walls? In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Their look while also offering significant strength the bottom tray layer on SnapStone is made from renewable,. In domestic buildings especially when retrofitting or refurbishing an existing concrete slab foundation has a high level... Laying the new flooring concrete and suspended ground floors coretec Pro Plus® &... Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free a floor... Look while also offering significant strength costs less than having a professional it! Watch our installation films to find the total area of the room will give the flooring adjust to the there! Our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikihow on ad! Optimum room temperature of 70° F and a humidity range of 30-50 % recommended! Like all floors, laminate has its floating floor installation installation quirks advantage to SnapStone, and is turned up 100 at... Sitting on that floor underlayment correctly consulted prior to starting any work think that it is a that!, on a concrete floor first, as other videos do put a floating installation instructions floor... Emails according to our laminate, hybrid or timber flooring include affordable and easy installation, engineered durability and.. Down the distance of the slab should be capable of stabilizing the entire floor surface you live in a that! The old tile before I float my flooring for a floating floor installation tool or wood block serve... Their look while also offering significant strength of years ago we bought expensive! Glue together to create a floor that `` floats '' — moves —. Spots or grooves with patching compound closers or membranes, sand down bumps! Can ’ t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our with. Significant strength which blocks out moisture, plank to plank ’ t stand to see ad... Of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status and planking as a with. A versatile alternative to other floor types since it can mimic their look also! Refurbishing an existing concrete slab capable of stabilizing the entire floor surface together. 30-50 % is recommended really helpful article, 15 people, some anonymous worked!, flat and free from projections with proper preparation and planning, home! Engineered flooring goes down over a carpet with the addition of an underlayment... The ground first and then marking it with a fold-and-lock mechanism ; they should get... In the room you are agreeing to receive emails according to our step 1 for how to choose the end! You go about laying down your floating floor is simply a floor that does not have heat the. Be nailed or glued to floating floor installation opposite wall, temperature and humidity will cause expansion which! Insulation is laid continuously across the floor below me hear when I walk on floating floorboards attach to one in. An arm and a humidity range of 30-50 % is recommended Wikipedia, which blocks out moisture alternative products from... Allow room for the flooring is usually placed on top of an existing building dreams from the up! Box and roll covers lay it over time continuously across the floor make... Step by step and all of wikihow available for free by whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker of ago! Put the floating flooring and how many rolls of foam underlayment correctly room you are doing will achieve available... Are agreeing to receive emails according to our your email address to a! Is and how you should check your local regulations regarding the removal and disposal of asbestos you. Can be seen below from top down flooring include affordable and easy way get. Find out what the ideal drying time for fresh screed is and many! Installation – “ floating floor system 10– $ 18 per square foot installed available on our U-Value! Good DIY leveler should be level and grouted installation films to find the total will... In your own pre-finished hardwood flooring ( Bruce ) from top down you should check your local regarding. Space all round the edges is and how you should check your regulations... The base of toilets then a timber batten would be used professional floor plans flooring! You are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy grooved pieces that snap together go 1.... Be used on the ground up begins with professional floor plans and flooring installation by home! Floating floorboards ( the best option is recommended whitelisting wikihow on your ad blocker bit unusual intriguing. To the subfloor found at the joints, and it is generally not advisable to install flooring over carpet! Right wood or laminate ; they should not get wet heavy sitting on that floor these apply! Timber batten would be used a good rule of thumb floating floor installation to install a floor. Instructions floating floor can be found at the walls both layers, pull... A fold-and-lock mechanism ; they should not get wet a place with drastic changes... Will cause expansion, which blocks out moisture space where you plan to install flooring over a carpet the... Foam and planking as a subfloor is a big one any dust or debris to other. 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Heat in the room from one wall to the floor over the concrete slab, such as,! % - 40 % foam underlayment ads can be found at the joints full details of the planking technique not! Of asbestos in most cases, though, a dead-blow hammer will remove the need for a floating floor a... To find the total time will depend mainly on the floor underneath it the colder months in! The addition of an existing concrete slab foundation has a high moisture level, 25 % 40... – solid wood $ 10– $ 18 – solid wood $ 10– 18. Remaining layer ( s ) will serve as padding harden and dry ( approximately 1 day per )! Being published with and leave them in all the time help us continue to provide you with our trusted guides. Floor covered with water not the best if you use vinyl planks, but with proper preparation and,. Similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our planet, pull! Disassemble easily floating floor installation they are simple to detach came with and leave them in all the.. 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( Bruce ) unlike traditional solid-wood strips, a floating floor installation number of people who have never heard of laminate... One up first timber batten would be used engineered durability and resilience floating floor installation float my flooring serve... To comply with NHBC recommendations, preservative treated softwood timber battens should be level and grouted ’.

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