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The Pros and Cons of Floating Hardwood Flooring

When it comes to selecting the perfect flooring for your home, there are nearly endless options out there. You’ve probably heard of genuine and alternative hardwood floors, but there’s also floating hardwood flooring. Floating hardwood floors feature planks that "float" over the existing floor or underlayment using a click-lock or glue-less interlocking mechanism in a flooring system where the planks don’t attach directly to the subfloor.

A professional using various tools to install floating hardwood floors into a space at Window Accents & Flooring near Princeton, NJ

Let our friendly team at Window Accents & Flooring guide you on floating hardwood flooring.

The Pros of Floating Hardwood Floors

There are several advantages you can enjoy with floating hardwood flooring, including:

1. Easy Installation

One major perk of floating hardwood flooring is its straightforward installation. Floating hardwood flooring clicks together. This process is unlike traditional hardwood floors, which requires nailing or gluing.

2. Cost-Effective

Floating hardwood flooring is often more budget-friendly compared to traditional, natural wood floors. The ease of installation reduces some expenses, and many floating hardwood floors come at a lower price. With these floors, you get the luxurious look of hardwood while staying within your budget.

3. Durability

Modern floating hardwood flooring has a specific design to handle daily wear and tear, making it perfect for homes with kids and pets. Many options for this flooring style feature a robust layer that resists scratches and stains.

The Potential Cons of Floating Hardwood Flooring

While there are several benefits of installing floating hardwood flooring in your home, there are some elements or features to keep in mind, such as:

1. Sound and Feel

While floating hardwood flooring is durable, it can sometimes feel less solid compared to traditional hardwood floors when you walk on it. This is due to the floating installation method, which can create a slight bounce or sound, which might be noticeable in quiet spaces.

To remedy this, adding plants or soft fabrics to a space can help absorb sound. Ensuring your flooring planks are flush with your subfloor or sealing any gaps between the planks can also help with the sound and decrease the bounce-like sensation.

2. Expansion and Contraction

Floating hardwood flooring tends to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. Occasionally, this can cause small gaps between planks to develop over time.

Similar to caring for natural hardwood flooring, keeping humidity levels between 35% and 55% in your home is essential to protect your floors. Investing in a humidifier or dehumidifier for your floating hardwood floors might be helpful. Additionally, when cleaning your floors, avoid abrasive materials and harsh chemicals. Instead, use non-oil-based cleaners. You can use a towel, rag, or sponge to put the cleaner on and wipe your floors.

3. Limited Refinishing

Another potential challenge of floating hardwood floors is that, unlike typical hardwood floors that you can sand and refinish, you typically can’t do that with this type of flooring. Once the surface wears out, you’ll need to replace the planks.

While it’s not ideal to refinish floating hardwood floors with proper care, they generally last about 40 years.

Shop Hardwood Flooring Options Near Princeton, New Jersey

Floating hardwood flooring beautifully combines easy installation with beauty. At Window Accents & Flooring, we’re happy to discuss flooring options with you in further detail.

Call (609) 924-0029 or request a consultation online, and our skilled team can help you get the new flooring of your dreams into your home. Window Accents & Flooring is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and proudly serves Central New Jersey, including Princeton, Somerset County, Mercer County, Hunterdon County, Morris County, and Middlesex County.

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