In order to explain floating engineered wood flooring, it’s probably best to start with an explanation of what a floating floor is and then what is meant by an engineered wood floor.
Floating is a term used to describe a specific way of fitting a floor. Normally installed over a layer of suitable underlay which itself is laid over an appropriate sub floor, a floating floor is a floor that isn’t fixed down to the sub floor, which means that it’s neither nailed nor glued down. A floating floor relies on the weight of the floor to keep it in position.
Engineered wood flooring has a real hard wood top layer which gives it the great look of solid wood flooring. The underlying layers of engineered wood flooring are typically made of up to 3 layers of soft wood or plywood which are made from a mix of hard wood or hard and soft wood. A really stable flooring option, engineered flooring is easy to install as well as being strong and stable.
All of that said, there are certain “do’s and don’t’s” which should be respected if you’re thinking about installing a floating wood floor. Floating floor fitting is not recommended for a solid wood floor, over under floor heating or in rooms which are over 30m2. That said, floating floor fitting is perfect for small rooms and for engineered flooring.
In order to fit a floating engineered wood floor, you should first select and fit an appropriate underlay over the sub floor. There are various types of underlay to choose from and these can be selected to suit your personal needs eg. for noise reduction or to act as a barrier to moisture.
When it comes to fitting the planks, each of the four sides of each plank should be glued to ensure stability. The only other thing to bear in mind is to leave a gap of between 1 and 2 cm from the ends of the planks to the walls to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood. Don’t worry at this stage about this gap looking unsightly as it will later be covered by the skirting board.
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FAQ
What is a floating engineered wood floor?
A floating engineered wood floor is a type of floor installation where the floor isn’t fixed to the subfloor, meaning it isn’t nailed or glued down. It relies on the weight of the floor to keep it in position. This flooring type has a real hard wood top layer which gives it the great look of solid wood flooring, with the underlying layers typically made of soft wood or plywood.
When is floating floor fitting recommended?
Floating floor fitting is perfect for small rooms and for engineered flooring. It is not recommended for a solid wood floor, over under floor heating, or in rooms which are over 30m2.
How do you install a floating engineered wood floor?
First, select and fit an appropriate underlay over the subfloor. Then, each of the four sides of each plank should be glued to ensure stability. Finally, leave a gap of between 1 and 2 cm from the ends of the planks to the walls to allow for expansion and contraction of the wood.
What is the purpose of the underlay for a floating engineered wood floor?
The underlay for a floating engineered wood floor serves to suit personal needs such as for noise reduction or to act as a barrier to moisture. Various types of underlay can be selected based on these needs.
What happens to the gap left between the planks and the wall when installing a floating engineered wood floor?
The gap left between the planks and the wall during installation, which allows for expansion and contraction of the wood, will later be covered by the skirting board, so it won’t look unsightly.