Do I choose floating or glued-down installation?
You’ve decided to install a hardwood floor and you’re not sure whether you should opt for a floating or glued-down floor installation? Good news: both methods are perfectly fine as long as you consider the pros and the cons. We’re happy to highlight the differences for you, help you make the right decision for your flooring project and show you how to get started.
Floating-floor installation: the easy method with a few points for attention
A floating floor is installed by clicking the hardwood floor planks together on top of a subfloor or existing floor. The floating-floor installation literally floats above the surface, so a good underlay is a must to minimize flexibility, reduce reflected walking sound and avoid sponginess (and faster wear).
The underlay also evens out small imperfections on the subfloor, though it is advised to flatten out the base as much as possible before you start. Decent preparation of the subfloor makes a huge difference to the overall end result. By using a vapour barrier you will prevent ground humidity from penetrating your floating wood floor.
Is the room exposed to considerable shifts in temperature or high moisture levels? In that case, it might be safer to opt for a glued-down installation to avoid warping and pitting.
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The pros of a floating-floor installation
A floating floor has some benefits, especially when you intend lay the floor yourself.
First of all, installing a floating wood floor is a lot quicker. Secondly, it’s usually cheaper, because with this method a professional installer is more a convenience than a necessity. And thirdly, a floating floor is way easier to remove and repair in the event of an underlying problem.
Floating-floor installation: how to get started
If you opt for a floating-floor installation it is essential that you use the right underlay for your specific project. Not sure what kind of underlay to use? This practical guide will surely make things clear!
Once you’ve picked the underlay and gathered your equipment (a handsaw or jigsaw and the ultra-handy all-in-one Parquet Installation Set) you can get started.
This tutorial video will guide you step by step!
Gluing hardwood floors: slightly harder to do, slightly better end result
To get things straight: gluing your hardwood floor takes some skill. Though if you have some flooring experience and you don’t mind taking your time and things getting messy, it’s perfectly possible to do it yourself. The main difference with a floating installation? A glued-down hardwood floor is fixed permanently. So it’s worth bearing in mind that, if part of the floor ever needs to be removed for underlying repairs, those planks will probably be rendered useless. That said: it does offer the best end result.
The pros of gluing hardwood floors
Although every Quick-Step hardwood floor is designed for easy and seamless installation with maximum comfort, gluing it down adds that little extra bit of luxury. A glued hardwood floor offers unrivalled stability, and reflected walking sound is minimal. It maximizes your return with floor heating systems and allows your floor to breathe and expand as the temperature fluctuates with no risk of warping. And the strong adhesive keeps your floor in place, even in humid conditions.
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Gluing hardwood floors: how to get started
Apart from the right quantity of floorboards (5% extra is advised to compensate saw loss), all you’ll need to get started is a parquet trowel and our Quick-Step Parquet Glue. This dedicated adhesive will without question offer you lifelong floor comfort.
Check out the installation procedure in the video below!
Convinced glued-down floors are the best option for you, but not ready to take on the challenge yourself? Grant yourself some peace of mind and rely on the expertise of one of our professional partners. Quick-Step has certified Master Installers in every region.
Get in touch with a Quick-Step Master Installer close to your home