Floating Floor

A floating floor is the name used for a method of installation used mainly in laminate and cork flooring. This type of floor is described as 'floating' as it is not nailed or glued down on the sub layer in a fixed way, it is pieced together and rests on top of it.

A floating floor does not actually touch the ground as such and is fitted to provide a way of keeping a floor away from dampness, help reduce noise and increase heat insulation while remaining affordable and practical at the same time.

When you beginning looking for a floating floor option you will find that there are two ways to purchase and fit a floating floor in your house, these are in the form of tiles or as planks. The main differences between these two types of floating floor are the price, ease of installation and fitting practicality for the specific room you are choosing flooring for.

When choosing a cork floating floor you will want to think about the size and shape of the room you are decorating. Tiles tend to be more affordable to purchase than planks, yet they provide less insulation and are more difficult to fit as they need a more involved sub floor and are harder to remove. Though, on the other hand, tiles are more attractive and easier to match up in corners and difficult shaped rooms.

Although all types of floating floor offer more heat insulation than regular fitted flooring, choosing cork as the material for your floating floor increase the heat in another natural way. Cork is naturally warm to the touch and remains warm with minimal heating in a room, so for flooring your basement or bathroom with such a material helps to keep the floor comfortable to walk on while keeping down the heating costs at the same time.

Due to its natural properties, cork will expand in warmer conditions and so one important thing to remember when fitting a cork floating floor is to leave enough space for the material to expand slightly when the temperature rises.

As well as saving costs on heating and maintenance, installing a floating cork floor saves money on installation as it is an easy DIY for people to complete on their own. As long as the sub floor is installed well, it is merely a case of clicking the tiles or planks in to place in a similar way to fitting laminate flooring.

Once it is laid down, a floating floor is easy to maintain as it is a durable and resistant material which can withstand a lot of elements, insects and moisture without retaining any damage. If there is any damage to the floor, as a floating floor is made up of many smaller sections then only one section needs to be replaced which saves the money of fitting an entirely new floor.

Before installing a floating floor, find out as much information as you can about the specific requirements for your room and ask an experts opinion and then you be able to make the best decision to get a practical, affordable and attractive new floor.

American Cork Products Company - (888) 955-2675
Importers of fine cork flooring: parquet tile, floating floor planks, underlayment, and cork wall tiles and coverings.