Tamara
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- Engineered Hardwood
HI there! It's been a while since I have posted about engineered hardwood. We were going to have in installed for us but decided to wait. I'm glad we did because I'm really thinking we can do this on our own. However I'm looking into it more and more and I see that you can float Eng. HW.. Can anyone tell me what the difference between actually gluing down the HW compared to floating it? I mean can you tell the difference when walking on it? Is it best to glue it or float it? We have a slab floor and they usually glue it directly to the slab. We're in NC and lots of humidity if that makes a difference. Thanks for any information! Also any good brands at reasonable prices? We'll need about 300 sq. ft. Thanks!
I know there are some glues that will act as a moisture barrier if you glue down, But I would HIGHLY recommend floating it out after installing a moisture barrier. A floating floor is more comfy to walk on, but some people like the more solid feel.
you can glue down engineered hardwood,however not all engineered hardwood can be floated.,so make sure the one you choose is a floating type,,
in general terms it is much easier to float than to glue down,and a lot faster.because of how the floating floor is made(it looks like 3 strips of wood to a plank)you will need to be careful of the "seams" but if you make sure you hold them together,you won't have a problem....good luck
in general terms it is much easier to float than to glue down,and a lot faster.because of how the floating floor is made(it looks like 3 strips of wood to a plank)you will need to be careful of the "seams" but if you make sure you hold them together,you won't have a problem....good luck
Which engineered floor cannot be floated?
I have yet to run into one.
I have yet to run into one.
floorcraft.....most mgf refer to there floating floors as "long strip or floating,engineered.bruce devides its products as "solid" engineered" & "floating" the floating floor is engineered in layers same as an engineered floor.but bruce ,tarkett, and a few others say in there handbooks a true engineered floor should be glued,stapled or nailed,not floated ....good luck
[This message has been edited by carpetman (edited January 23, 2004).]
Thanks for the info. I will check into which can or can not be floated etc.. I was thinking of going through Lumber Liquidaters. Are they any good? They will be opening a warehouse near us soon. Now if we were to float the floor can we do say 1/3 of the flooring one day then 1/3 the next or do you need to do the whole floor? Reason for asking is I know that you have to allow the glue to dry wether its floated or glued and our LR is our main room you go through to get anywhere in the house and doing it in sections would be easier. Any suggestions?
Thanks again,
Tamara
you can lay your floor in sections (however it is best to do all at once)just dont have a party on the floor,be careful moving furniture....good luck
o.k. carpetman, I understand what you are saying about Bruce, but Didnt the Swedish invent the floating floors? They float ALL floating floors from what I know.
And doesnt Bruce also say it is o.k. to glue natural refections down on concrete?
Seems like they like thinking outside the box.
I happen to like a solid feel, and I just might nail down my Kahrs wood, I know it's o.k. but I was not aware Bruce does not recommend floating their engineered.
good info to know.
And doesnt Bruce also say it is o.k. to glue natural refections down on concrete?
Seems like they like thinking outside the box.
I happen to like a solid feel, and I just might nail down my Kahrs wood, I know it's o.k. but I was not aware Bruce does not recommend floating their engineered.
good info to know.
yes the floating system of floors started in europe(my understanding is when you sell your house there you take everything inc.your hardwood floors,they dont glue them,they are held by wedges at the wall.kind of like a loose lay)anyway if you move to a bigger house ,you relay your old floor and pick up a few extra boxs to finish the job...
natural reflections (5/16 solid) is a glue down or staple down product that should not be floated.
kahrs only mgf's a floating floor(as i understand it)that can be glued, nailed ,
or floated
when a floor is floated,it is install over a pad,and glued in the tounge and grove,not glued down....good luck
Thanks so much for the info. from both of you. I'm understanding a little more.. I think I will end up going with a glued down hardwood since I want the more solid feel. I don't have plans to take the flooring with me when I move! 
As you mentioned most Europeans do take everything when they move from light fixtures to kitchen sinks even their toilets!! We lived in Germany for 2 years and have seen this first hand..
I didn't know about Europe taking their lights and toilets. That is wild!
Carpetman: What do you think of Natural reflections glued directly to concrete?
floorcraft..not a problem,just follow the basics...correct adhesive,prep the floor. moisture test.ect. ect.....from the top down you'll swear it's a 3/4" solid.. good luck
[This message has been edited by carpetman (edited January 25, 2004).]
