Flooring
Floating Floor
Floating floor refers to an installation method where flooring planks or tiles lock together and rest on underlayment without attachment to the subfloor. This approach allows floors to expand and contract naturally with humidity changes, simplifies installation, and enables flooring over most existing surfaces.
Click-lock mechanisms have made floating installation accessible to DIY installers, while the ability to install over existing flooring saves demolition costs and time. Most laminate, many engineered hardwoods, and most luxury vinyl products install as floating floors.
Key Characteristics
- ✓Not attached to subfloor
- ✓Click-lock connection
- ✓Installs over existing floors
- ✓Allows expansion/contraction
- ✓DIY-friendly
- ✓Requires underlayment
Types & Variations
Click-lock (most common)
Fold-down click
Angle-angle click
Tongue and groove (glued)
Magnetic floating
Works Well With These Styles
Placement & Usage Tips
Always use appropriate underlayment. Leave expansion gaps at walls (typically 1/4-3/8 inch). Do not install floating floors under heavy fixed items like kitchen islands or cabinets.
💡 Pro Tip
Floating floors require room to "float"—do not secure them at any point. Heavy furniture is fine, but built-in elements that restrict movement can cause buckling when floors expand.
Related Terms
Laminate Flooring
A multi-layer synthetic flooring product with a photographic layer simulating wood, stone, or other materials beneath a protective overlay.
Engineered Hardwood
Flooring with a real wood veneer top layer bonded to multiple plywood layers, offering stability against humidity and temperature changes.