Floating Engineered Wood Flooring No Glue

If you ve decided to install engineered hardwoods there are four possible installation methods depending on the subfloor.

Floating engineered wood flooring no glue.

Glue nail staple and float. Flooring adhesive is applied to attach engineered hardwood planks to the subfloor or underlayment when installing engineered hardwood flooring. Because of the way it is installed there isn t a hollow sound when walking across the floor or a spongy feel this is something that can be an issue with floating floors if they aren t installed perfectly and with optimal conditions. Some engineered floors are designed with tongue and groove boards.

Floating type and glue type. The glue down method of engineered wood flooring installation is typically the most common and creates a highly stable floor. Engineered flooring goes down over a thin foam sheet which provides cushioning and sound dampening. Glue down hardwood flooring often sounds more like real solid hardwood flooring than floating floors do.

Engineered hardwood floors have a solid wood top and bottom but the middle or core layers are made of plywood. When working on a clean concrete subfloor the glue down method is often the go to choice. Floating vs glued down engineered wood flooring glued down means using a bonding agent adhesive or glue which is put directly onto the subfloor before laying any of your engineered wood flooring. Urethane adhesives are widely used for engineered hardwood flooring.

This type of construction makes engineered hardwood less likely to expand and better suitable for installation over radiant heating systems concrete slabs and basements. Because they aren t directly attached to the subfloor they may feel as if there is a bit of give under your feet when you walk. Check the engineered hardwood installation guide for the installation methods recommended for your flooring choice. Floating hardwood floor overview illustration by gregory nemec.

The planks glue together to create a floor that floats moves freely as a unit. Engineered wood is less susceptible to warping can better handle water damage. Glue can also contain and emit volatile organic compounds vocs. It contains no water and reacts solidifies in the presence of.

What is engineered hardwood flooring. As an installation method glued down is most suited for either concrete or wood subfloors. Boards adhere well to the rough surface of the concrete subfloor and therefore lead to less gaps or planks lifting and buckling. Made from layers of real wood compressed together engineered hardwood floors are better able to handle changes in moisture and humidity than solid hardwood.

Another consideration is the feel and sound of the floor. Floating floors can feel a bit bouncy and tend to have a more hollow sound. The installation process of floating type wood flooring is less price than the glue type wood flooring. As the natural wood it is good and also easier to install and maintain.