Installing floating floor

Now (with our help) in a few simple steps you could be Installing floating floor in a wide selection of qualities and types in your home.

For many years do-it-yourselfers struggled with various installation methods, all for the sake of saving a few bucks in most cases. Sorry to say many of these attempted projects have turned to disaster! A few others were handy enough or diligent enough that it worked out "ok". But in either case, it is certain that many of them ended up with a lot of extra expense, stress and damaged planks – and probably a few damaged fingers in the process.

Fortunately, there is now a much simpler and much faster way to install wood, cork, laminate, linoleum, and yes even tile flooring. The method was first introduced at the onset of the laminate flooring trend and was an instant hit with the do-it-yourselfers.

Floated installation provides many benefits. First of all, installing floating floor is less expensive – no nails, staples, or adhesive to buy, and no special equipment to purchase or rent. Then there is the flooring’s ability to adapt to temperature and humidity changes. All wood and wood-like flooring absorbs and releases moisture. If it is installed by a fixed installation method, it has the potential of becoming damaged under extreme humidity conditions. High levels of humidity can cause the flooring to expand and cup, and low levels can cause it to shrink and separate.

With the floated installation method, the planking is not anchored to the sub-floor. Because of this and the flexibility of the click-together joints, the flooring is free to expand or contract during weather changes without any adverse affects.

As more do-it-yourselfers began buying laminate at the home improvement stores, it was clear that they were tired of hardwood installation hassles. They were willing to trade the look of real wood for the easy installation of the new wood-like flooring products. It didn’t take long before hardwood manufacturers recognized the need to design methods of installing floating flooring in a wood version. New products for free-floating, no-glue installation. The result was engineered hardwood products constructed just similar to laminate.

There are many manufacturers of engineered hardwood flooring. Some of them offer free-float, no-glue product lines, and some do not.

The installation process itself is fairly standard among manufacturers. All manufacturers recommend certain pre-installation steps, with respect to subsurface preparation and acclimation of the flooring material. The actual installation steps are also fairly standard.

The first plank is placed with its long groove edge parallel to a long wall, assuring an expansion space of 1/2" to 3/8" between the plank and the wall. Additional planks are then clicked together with a hammer and tapping block, while maintaining the expansion space around the room perimeter. This process continues until it is time for the last row to be installed. The last row of planking is cut to fit, making sure to allow for the expansion space, and then the planks are set in place and secured with a pull bar tapped with a hammer.

That’s all there is to it. No mess, no fuss, little waste, and a lot less risk so lets get you started on installing floating flooring.

Pre-Installation

The following information is generic. It deals with areas that you must be familiar with before starting your installation. It is very important to the success of your final finished project. Please keep in mind that your particular flooring manufacturer will have product specific requirements. This section is designed to be a general guideline. You must follow your specific manufacturers installation instructions for your warranty to be valid!!! 

Another benefit of floated installations is that the engineered floating flooring can be installed over virtually any other flooring material. However, carpeting and felt coverings would need to be removed. Prior to installation, the sub-flooring will need to be covered with a polyethylene foam underlayment. The underlayment will serve as a moisture barrier, sound reducer, and cushion for the new flooring. If there are doors that open into the room, make sure that they will clear the installed flooring.
 

Concrete Slab

Floating flooring can be installed directly over a concrete slab, make sure the slab is flat, clean, and dry. A moisture test is recommended. Refer to our floors and moisture section for more information. Also, for this type of installation most manufacturers suggest using an underlayment usually made of a thin foam. This will act as a cushion, as well as a vapor barrier if you purchase the proper type. We have done many floating floor installations of this nature and have had many projects completed successfully by the do it yourselfer. Be sure and take all moisture readings to ensure they are within manufacturers requirements as in any other wood based product installation.

Wood Sub-Flooring

Plywood, 5/8” or thicker, or osb (oriented strand board) is the most common sub-flooring seen. Wood sub-flooring must be flat, clean, and dry, and moisture testing should be done and levels documented prior to installation. If the sub-flooring is installed over a crawlspace, We highly recommend placing a moisture barrier of 6 to 8 mil polyurethane sheeting over the soil as a vapor barrier. You may add an additional layer of vapor barrier with your underlayment as well.

Description of installing floating floor

There is no easier installation method than floated with the no-glue, click-together systems. In addition to saving you money by not requiring special installation equipment, fasteners, or adhesive, you’ll also save a lot of installation time. We believe this method lends itself best to the do-it-yourself installer. (however, that alone does not determine this is the type of floor you should buy)
 

Laying out your floating flooring job

No professional installer would start a job without a layout plan, and neither should you. Fortunately, you don’t need anything too fancy,  just draw out your space on a piece of graph paper to layout a scale diagram of your floor. From this sketch you can easily determine the amount of material you will need. (again we can help you with this if you are registered for support) Most manufacturers recommend leaving a 3/8” to 1/2" expansion space between the flooring and the walls, so be sure to allow for the recommended spacing on your sketch.

Getting your hands dirty

Most wood type floating floor has natural color variations that will need to be distributed evenly. (except for laminate) Open and sort a few boxes at a time and mix the variations as you install them. This will give your floor the best appearance when the job is finished.

Another point to consider when installing floating floor for aesthetics is the direction of your planking. Most manufacturers recommend installing the planks parallel to the longest wall.

Using spacers to maintain the expansion space, begin by laying the first plank in a corner with the long grooved side toward the long wall. Connect the short side of the second plank together with the mating side of the first plank, per the manufacturer’s instructions. Cut the last plank as indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions and complete the row. Use the remaining piece to start the second row. Be sure to offset the end splices of consecutive rows by a minimum of six inches for the best finished appearance. Continue the second row by connecting the short edges of the planks first then the long edges.

The last row may require rip cutting the planks to size. Remember to cut enough to create the expansion space. As with the other rows, connect the short edges first then use a pull bar to tap the long edges together.

Once you have read and understand this installing floating floor section we recommend getting the more in depth information that will be manufacturer specific to the floor you have purchased. We will help you do this if you are registered for support programs. Installing floating floor can be easy if you have the help of the flooring professor!