There are several floating floor materials available but if you want real wood the best choice is engineered flooring.
Floating engineered wood flooring.
Some engineered wood flooring is also installed with the same nail down methods used for solid hardwood but there are also forms with click lock edges that can be installed as a floating floor engineered wood flooring can also be glued down against a concrete subfloor.
This type of construction makes engineered hardwood less likely to expand and better suitable for installation over radiant heating systems concrete slabs and basements.
You can pick up cheap solid hardwood for the same price as budget friendly engineered flooring but it all depends on the species.
And because it s unsecured it can usually be installed by the average joe or jane and can even be uninstalled and moved to another room later.
Floating engineered wood flooring problems mainly come from moisture and not taking the proper steps to ensure the wood is protected from underneath the main drawback of using a floating floor installation for the engineered wood is the initial extra step to secure the boards.
Better still it s competitively priced compared to solid hardwood flooring.
Floating floors most people float a floor leave it unsecured to the subfloor because of its simplicity or to allow for wood s natural movement.
Upwards of 2 20 per square foot for engineered hardwood compared to upwards of 3 40 per square foot for solid.
Wide width flooring showcases the wood grain s natural beauty and can make expansive rooms feel cozier.
Although engineered flooring s thin veneer can t be sanded as many times as solid wood can its thick factory applied.
Mixed width designs are reminiscent of early american craftsmanship a style that s having a.
There are a few though that use glue or other more permanent methods.
Almost every engineered wood flooring uses floating planks that lock together.
One negative to engineered wood flooring is its cost compared to domestic or common hardwood species.
Natural floors 4 72 in natural brazilian cherry smooth traditional engineered hardwood flooring 31 sq ft item 770386.
Most diyers find engineered wood flooring to be easier to install.
Find engineered hardwood flooring at lowe s today.
With engineered hardwood floors you have the option to create upscale and on trend looks with wide and mixed width planks up to 7 1 2.
This sandwich of wood veneer glued to layers of pine or plywood looks like solid wood and is very stable.
The big consideration when dealing with installation is whether to do the installation yourself or hire it out to a professional.
Engineered hardwood floors have a solid wood top and bottom but the middle or core layers are made of plywood.