In this article, we’ll discuss:

• What are floating floorboards?
• How are floating floors installed?
• What types of floating floorboards are available?
• What are the key benefits and disadvantages of floating floors?
• Are floating floors right for your home?

Let’s demystify floating floors to help you head toward your dream home renovation with ease.

Photo by Urban Angles – Look for living room design inspiration

WHAT ARE FLOATING FLOORBOARDS?

Simply put, floating floorboards are a style of hard flooring which feature an easy-to-use, reliable installation system. Specially engineered to be installed with minimal nailing or gluing, floating floorboards sit over a subfloor, held in place by gravity and friction.

HOW ARE FLOATING FLOORS INSTALLED?

Floating floorboards stick together like a jigsaw puzzle. The edges of each floorboard are designed to lock together using a positive joinery system. This system keeps floorboards from coming apart or shifting atop the subfloor. It’s important to note that floating floors are not affixed to the subfloor in any way – hence “floating”. Despite this, they won’t move for a number of reasons:

1. Weight:

   One floorboard may not weight much, but a room’s worth of boards locked together creates significant enough weight that moving them accidentally is extremely difficult.

2. Friction:

   Your floating floors should be installed over an underlay. This coating can provide thermal or noise benefits, but also creates friction on the bottom of the floorboards, preventing them from sliding.

3. Locking mechanism:

   With each board locked together, the combined strength and station of each board supports its neighbour.

WHAT TYPES OF FLOATING FLOORBOARDS ARE AVAILABLE?

One thing that makes floating floors so versatile is the range of styles and materials they come in. Here at Carpet Call, we provide three different types of floating floorboards:

• Engineered timber:

  Made using layers of sustainable plantation-grown hardwood and finished with stylish real hardwood veneers to match your design needs, engineered timber is the superior alternative to solid hardwood.

• Laminate:

  Infinitely resilient and stylish, laminate floors are perfect for a busy home.

• Vinyl:

  Slightly softer than other options, vinyl floors are more comfortable, quiet underfoot and 100 per cent resistant to moisture damage.

Take a look at the Carpet Call hard flooring buying guide for more information about the different materials.

WHAT ARE THE KEY BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF FLOATING FLOORS?

Floating floors are an excellent alternative to more traditional options, offering:

• Versatility:

  They are available in a huge range of styles and materials.

• Easy installation:

  Though professional installation is advised, DIY is possible for the budget-conscious layperson.

• Cost efficiency:

  Often more easily or sustainably produced, floating floors are also typically cheaper by square metre than solid hardwood.

• Expansion and contraction:

  Humidity fluctuations can warp some flooring, but small expansion gaps around the perimeter of your floating floor ensure the boards have space to expand and contract as needed.

There are very few disadvantages of floating floors. Historically, their quality versus that of fixed floors has been poorer, however this gap has closed over time. Get in touch to discuss the best quality floating floors for your home.

Photo by Van Metre Homes – Discover living room design inspiration

ARE FLOATING FLOORS RIGHT FOR YOUR HOME?

If you’re considering flooring options for your home, think about the lifestyle your property needs to accommodate. Floating floors can stand up well against high traffic and moisture, provided you’ve chosen the right materials, so may be suitable for most homes.

Are you looking for an easy, cost effective and stylish way to renovate your floors? Carpet Call has the answer. Shop our range of floating floorboards online or visit your nearest Carpet Call store to speak to an expert.