How to Float Hardwood Floor

How to Float Hardwood Floor

What Is a Floating Floor?

A floating floor is not attached to the subfloor at all - the boards are locked together at their edges and float as a single connected unit over the subfloor. The floor is held in place by its own weight and the friction of the underlayment beneath it. Expansion gaps at all walls allow the floor to expand and contract freely with seasonal humidity changes.

Floating installation works with engineered hardwood and some solid hardwood products with click-lock profiles. Check your flooring manufacturer's specifications - not all hardwood can be floated.

Advantages of Floating Installation

  • No nails or glue required - fastest DIY installation method
  • Can be installed over almost any subfloor type including concrete
  • Easier to remove and replace if needed
  • Can be installed over radiant heat (check manufacturer specs)
  • No waiting for adhesive to cure

What You'll Need

Step 1: Prepare the Subfloor

The subfloor must be clean, flat, and dry. Check moisture with your moisture meter. The subfloor must be flat within 3/16 inch over 10 feet - high spots cause the floor to rock and create hollow sounds underfoot. Sand down high spots and fill low spots with leveling compound.

Step 2: Install Underlayment

Roll out underlayment across the entire subfloor, overlapping seams by 2-3 inches and taping with underlayment tape. Over concrete, use ROBERTS 6mil Moisture Barrier as the underlayment to block vapor transmission. Some engineered hardwood products have underlayment pre-attached - check before adding a separate layer.

Step 3: Plan the Layout

Snap a chalk line parallel to the longest wall as your starting reference. Check that it's square to the room. Plan the layout so the last row is at least 2 inches wide - adjust the starting position if needed.

Step 4: Install the First Row

  1. Place spacers along the starting wall - maintain 3/8 to 1/2 inch expansion gap for floating floors (slightly more than nail-down)
  2. Lay the first row groove-side to the wall
  3. Connect end joints by angling the board and clicking down

Step 5: Install Subsequent Rows

  1. Angle each new board into the long edge of the previous row and press down to click the joint closed
  2. Use the tapping block to close any gaps along the long edge - tap gently, never strike the board directly
  3. Stagger end joints by at least 8 inches between adjacent rows
  4. Maintain spacers at all walls throughout installation

Step 6: Install the Last Row

  1. Measure and rip the last row to width, leaving the expansion gap
  2. Use the pull bar to pull the last row tight against the previous row - hook the pull bar over the board edge and tap with the mallet
  3. Remove all spacers
  4. Install baseboards and shoe molding to cover the expansion gap

Important: Don't Fasten the Floor to the Subfloor

Never nail, screw, or glue a floating floor to the subfloor - not even at the edges. The floor must be free to move as a unit. Fastening it down prevents expansion and will cause buckling.

Products Used in This Guide

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