ᐅ Glue down the hardwood flooring or install it as a floating floor?
Created on: 30 Jul 2015 10:37
W
WildThing
Hello everyone,
Who of you has hardwood flooring in a new build? How was it installed in your case?
Did you have it glued down, or did you install click-lock hardwood floating?
What are your experiences with each method? (Impact noise, heating efficiency, etc.)
We are currently considering what to do. We could install click-lock hardwood planks ourselves, but only as a floating floor.
Most flooring specialists recommend gluing it down, though. However, a consultant from a flooring store said that with the right impact sound insulation, floating hardwood on underfloor heating is no longer an issue. So, what is actually correct?
If we decide to glue, we would only be able/willing to install parquet strips ourselves, as the planks would be too expensive. Installing planks ourselves is the only way to make that work.
Who of you has hardwood flooring in a new build? How was it installed in your case?
Did you have it glued down, or did you install click-lock hardwood floating?
What are your experiences with each method? (Impact noise, heating efficiency, etc.)
We are currently considering what to do. We could install click-lock hardwood planks ourselves, but only as a floating floor.
Most flooring specialists recommend gluing it down, though. However, a consultant from a flooring store said that with the right impact sound insulation, floating hardwood on underfloor heating is no longer an issue. So, what is actually correct?
If we decide to glue, we would only be able/willing to install parquet strips ourselves, as the planks would be too expensive. Installing planks ourselves is the only way to make that work.
Hello,
12 years ago, I had oak parquet flooring installed by a professional company, glued down with polyurethane adhesive. At the same time, my brother-in-law had his parquet floor installed by the same company, but floated rather than glued. After several years, it has become clear that my brother-in-law’s parquet is cupping, with visible edges, which does not look good!
His comment was that he should have had it glued down as well. My parquet still looks like it did on the first day after installation. The oil finish is renewed every few years, otherwise everything is fine.
12 years ago, I had oak parquet flooring installed by a professional company, glued down with polyurethane adhesive. At the same time, my brother-in-law had his parquet floor installed by the same company, but floated rather than glued. After several years, it has become clear that my brother-in-law’s parquet is cupping, with visible edges, which does not look good!
His comment was that he should have had it glued down as well. My parquet still looks like it did on the first day after installation. The oil finish is renewed every few years, otherwise everything is fine.
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nordanney31 Jul 2015 22:15WildThing schrieb:
Thank you for the info nordanney! Do you have both for comparison? Like floating parquet installed on the upper floor?
Is there anyone else here with solid wood parquet? Yes, I have the comparison between floating and glued — that’s why in the new house I only use glued parquet. But that’s mainly because of the impact sound; glued feels better in that respect. I have no idea about the energy performance.
I installed 3-layer click-engineered wood flooring using a floating method. In some areas, it creaks a bit and the feel underfoot is disappointing—kind of like laminate. It feels somewhat hollow. I have a direct comparison with glued engineered wood flooring. The feel underfoot is as different as night and day.
As for long-term durability, I don’t have experience yet, but it’s often said that floating installations put more stress on the click joints because there is always some movement.
On the other hand, no adhesive is completely safe health-wise. If you want to glue the floor, it might be a good idea to try a floating installation first, because “if it’s laid, it stays.” Also, removing glued flooring later is very difficult. There are reports in forums of glued planks swelling and lifting after water exposure, even pulling up the screed (concrete subfloor).
There are pros and cons either way. Gluing definitely looks better, though.
As for long-term durability, I don’t have experience yet, but it’s often said that floating installations put more stress on the click joints because there is always some movement.
On the other hand, no adhesive is completely safe health-wise. If you want to glue the floor, it might be a good idea to try a floating installation first, because “if it’s laid, it stays.” Also, removing glued flooring later is very difficult. There are reports in forums of glued planks swelling and lifting after water exposure, even pulling up the screed (concrete subfloor).
There are pros and cons either way. Gluing definitely looks better, though.
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