Floating Hardwood Flooring

It seems like you can't turn around in a home improvement store anymore without hearing about floating hardwood flooring. In fact, if you turn on the television to watch your favorite home improvement channel then chances are you will hear some mention of this popular style of flooring at least once throughout the evening.

When it comes time to consider changing the flooring in your home or installing some new types of flooring you might even consider getting some of this. However, before you go out and purchase a bunch of floating hardwood flooring, perhaps you should learn about it first. Here are some simple guidelines that can help you determine whether floating hardwood flooring is right for your situation.

• What is it? Simply put, floating hardwood flooring is a type of flooring specifically designed to be installed easier than traditional methods. Typically floating hardwood flooring is a manufactured material that is engineered to look like wood. However, if you are willing to spend a little more, you can often purchase real wood for your floating flooring.
• How is it different? Floating hardwood flooring is different from traditional methods of flooring in that it is designed to go over an existing floor or subfloor with little or no work. Now, while it is possible to put floating hardwood floors directly over a preexisting floor, it is usually better to remove everything down to the subfloor (the floor under the one you walk on) level prior to installation.
• Benefits. The primary benefit of floating hardwood flooring is that you get a beautiful looking hardwood floor without having to pay the exorbitant costs usually associated with them. The floating hardwood flooring that you can purchase from most home improvement stores will actually last a little longer (with proper care) than your typical hardwood floor as well.
• Can you install it? This all depends on you. How confident are you in your very basic carpentry skills? All that you really need to know is how to measure and cut wood and follow printed directions. However, if you are unsure in the least, then you can easily hire professionals from your local home improvement store to help you out. At the very least, hiring the professionals, and having them teach you, will enable you to be sure you get the job done right now and in the future.