Pros & Cons of Glued-Down and Floating Hardwood Floors

Are you in the market for new engineered hardwood floors? If so, we have put together a brief article discussing the pros and cons of glued-down vs. floating engineered hardwood floors. We hope that the information listed below will answer your questions and help you choose the best hardwood for your project.

Glued-Down Engineered Hardwood Floors

Pros

• Authentic Sound: It sounds like solid hardwood floors because of the way they are installed. When walking across the floor, there is not a hollow sound or spongey feel like floating hardwood floors. 
• Vapor Barrier: It does not require a vapor barrier because the glue acts as the actual barrier. 
• Minimal Shifting: Glued-down floors shift a little less than floating floors. This is great for installing over a surface that is not level. Floating floors require a level floor for installation. 

Cons

• Difficult to Install: The floors are difficult to install on your own, making it a challenging DIY project.
• Longer Installation: Installation takes longer than floating floors because of the glue. 
• Harder to Remove: Regarding removal, they are much harder to remove due to the glue compared to the click and lock type for floating floors. 

Floating Engineered Hardwood Floors

Pros

• Quick Installation: Because there is no glue involved in the installation, floating floors can be put down quickly, and often an entire room can be completed in one day. 
• Diversity in Environments: Floating floors can be installed over more types of underlayment. 
• Easy Removal: Floating floors are much easier to tear up and remove because there is no glue. 
• The solution to Challenging Rooms: If a glued-down hardwood floor is being installed on a surface that it cannot adhere to, your best bet is to install a floating hardwood floor.

Cons

• Shifting: Compared to glued-down hardwood floors, floating floors will shift more. 
• Sound: If you are thinking of installing floating hardwood floors, they require a level surface, or they will sound hollow. 
• Underlayment: They require an underlayment that increases cost and takes longer to install. 

If you are still seeking information, please do not hesitate to visit us at Levi’s 4 Floors.