So many questions on engineered wood flooring - now another one

8 years ago

Not quite the 'should I put engineered wood in a kitchen'
question. I've all but made up my mind that I will.

I've spoken to two installers, one talks about gluing the
wood down the other about floating it or having it on a raft. I don’t think a
raft would be suitable, so it would be down to floating or gluing it to a solid
cement floor.

My question: Why glue? I’m thinking that if the worse did
happen then it would be one hell of a job getting the damaged part of the floor
up and could possible cause more damage While a floated floor would seem to be
easier to repair, if needed!

I’d like to hear views on the best way to lay an engineered
wood floor. The wood will be on a solid cement floor which has been levelled.

Kevin

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Comments (5)

Robin Houghton
8 years ago
We have engineered oak flooring in our kitchen which is floating. It's beautiful, hardwearing and warm too, maybe as it's not in direct contact with the concrete floor.
foreverhomeandmore
8 years ago
We have engineered wood (floating over cement floor) throughout the ground floor and love it - it's easy to keep clean and looks fantastic. I've had a few hot oil splashes in the kitchen and it cleans up just fine.

My husband fitted it (experienced DIYer) and he says it was easy and straightforward, he followed the same logic - you can rectify a disaster with floating floor, whereas once glued there is no going back. I've also noticed the floor contracting /expanding a tiny bit throughout the year which I'm not sure how would work out if it was glued down.

The only thing I'd say is make sure you cement underfloor is as level as possible, and then level it out some more - we didn't bother too much and the floorboards do squeak in one place over a slightly uneven bit. We got the best insulation we found and I'd never noticed it being particularly cold. We are moving next year and having the same floor but with underfloor heating and no radiators - it'd be fabulous!

Good luck on your project!
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charlie_bill
8 years ago
i have a similar question with regards this, however the flooring will span two rooms - one which is floorboard and the other which is newer extension with concrete floor (neither with particularly good insulation value. What would be the best option, asI like the Kevin have decided to go for engineered wood floor. Thanks
titiankim
8 years ago
we have engineered wood in our kitchen diner. One half is over old tile/concrete, which had a new screed; the other half is over a suspended floor. We put good quality underlay and haven't had any problems. Had a slight squeak by the French doors which was solved with talc
PRO
User
8 years ago
In my personal opinion 'floating' is better. All wood shrinks and expands with heat and cold, if you glue it down you are impeeding it's ability to do that. Therefore, you could end up with small buckles and gaps eventually.

So many questions on engineered wood flooring - now another one

Comments (5)

Robin Houghton

foreverhomeandmore

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