Durable and Stylish Hardwood Floating Floors

Floating hardwood floors are hardwood floors that are not glued or nailed to your subfloor. This makes a great floor for DIY projects. The flooring clicks together, allowing the hardwood boards to go down fast and easy. You can install over plywood, concrete, and sheet vinyl flooring.

In areas where moisture is a concern, as in your basement, or on concrete, a floating floor is great as you can install a moisture barrier between the subfloor and the wood boards. This allows your wood floor to expand or contract to temperature changes in your home, avoiding buckling or bowing or gaps that can be caused by moisture.

Where Floating Hardwood Floors Work Best

Floating hardwood floors work well in most residential environments, especially in light- to moderate-traffic areas such as living rooms, bedrooms, and family rooms. Homes with pets can also benefit from floating hardwood, as long as owners take common-sense precautions like keeping pet nails trimmed and using area rugs in high-activity zones to help limit surface scratches.

However, wood flooring of any kind responds to changes in temperature and humidity. Homes that experience significant seasonal humidity change may see expansion, contraction, or small gaps if indoor climate control is inconsistent. The floors are also less suited for high-moisture spaces such as bathrooms, mud rooms, or damp basements, where standing water or persistent moisture can cause the planks to swell. In these cases, an engineered product designed for moisture resistance or a different installation method is often the better choice.

Cleaning and Maintenance of Floating Hardwood Floors

• Sweep or vacuum regularly using a hard-floor attachment to prevent surface scratches.
• Use a damp, not wet, mop with a mild cleaner; avoid excess water and clean spills quickly.
• Place rugs in high-traffic areas and add felt pads to furniture legs.
• Avoid steam cleaners, abrasives, or harsh chemicals that can damage the finish.

How to Repair Damaged Floating Hardwood Floors

Minor scratches, scuffs, or small dents on floating hardwood floors can usually be addressed with color-matched touch-up markers, fillers, or wood putty. In some cases, very light sanding may be possible, depending on the product’s wear-layer thickness, but this should be done carefully to avoid removing too much of the protective finish.

More serious issues such as warping, buckling, or planks lifting from the subfloor may require removing and replacing the damaged boards, usually caused by moisture exposure or insufficient expansion space around the room’s perimeter. Before replacing boards, the underlying cause (usually excess moisture) should be resolved to prevent the issue from recurring.

In a floating hardwood floor, damaged planks are usually replaced the following way:

• Unlocking and lifting the boards in sequence until reaching the affected area
• Because the planks interlock, repairs often start at the nearest wall or transition strip, where baseboards or trim can be removed to access the edge of the floor
• Once the damaged plank is reached, it can be taken out and a new plank clicked into place.
• Make sure any moisture underneath the planks is removed first.
• The flooring is then relaid in reverse order, ensuring each board locks securely as it’s put back together.

If damage spans a large section of the floor or affects many planks, a partial or full replacement may be the most practical solution. Professional help is recommended for extensive repairs to ensure the flooring locks together correctly and maintains its structural integrity.

Floating Hardwood Floors FAQs

What is a floating hardwood floor?

A floating hardwood floor is a type of wood flooring installed without nails or glue, where planks lock together and “float” over an underlayment. This makes installation faster and allows the floor to expand and contract more freely with changes in temperature and humidity.

What are the disadvantages of floating hardwood floors?

Floating hardwood floors can be more sensitive to moisture and may produce a slightly hollow sound underfoot if not installed over a quality underlayment. They also often have thinner wear layers, which can limit the ability to sand or refinish them in the future.

Can floating hardwood floors be installed over concrete?

Yes, floating hardwood floors can be installed over concrete as long as a proper moisture barrier and underlayment are used. This makes them a popular choice for basements and slab foundations where nail-down installation isn't possible.

What are the typical finishes and coatings of floating hardwood floor planks?

Most floating hardwood planks come prefinished with a factory-applied protective coating, such as polyurethane or aluminum oxide, designed to resist scratches and wear. These finishes eliminate the need for onsite finishing and provide long-lasting durability right out of the box.

Can floating hardwood floors be refinished?

Some floating hardwood floors can be lightly refinished, but many have thinner wear layers that limit how much sanding they can tolerate. Always check the manufacturer’s specifications before attempting refinishing.