What is Floating Flooring?

Question

I'm redoing my bedroom floor (I live in a Mobile Home)

Floating Floors were suggested.. >_>..
I have no idea what they are?
I have a few questions;

Are they safe/Durable
Do they move around when you walk? (Excuse my ignorance)
What types of floating floors are there?
How expensive will it be? (My room is 10x11 ft with a 8x3 ft closet)
Will they withstand heavy furniture? (Beds/Dressers/Desks)

And by the name floating, I get the impression that they are just sitting on the floor? (Ignorance, I know) Will you see the cracks, to the bottom of the floors by the wall.. ?

Haha.
I just need an explanation. [:

Thanks <3

Ugh.. They sound alright, But I'm afraid if I'm moving furniture around, they might just pop up. >_>
Is it possible to slightly glue down a floating floor? XD

I'm pretty paranoid about my floor.

Answer 1

That is not ignorace it is an honest question. I was raised that if you didn't know something you asked a question and if someone made a sarcastic remark then they are the ignorant one. There is no such thing as a dumb or ignorant question as long as it is an honest question.

Now floating floors work fine but the important part is that you get your flooring with in about an 1/8 of an inch of the wall (you don't have to be perfectly at 1/8 but really close to that)
once you have your flooring installed get some quater round and put that down at the bottom of your wall and nail it with a small finish nail. This will do two things, 1: It will cover the gap at the edge of your floor giving it a nice finished look and 2: it will help hold your flooring in one place.

Most so called experts will say that it floats so it can expand and contract with the changing temps, and they are partialy right but your floor won't move much at all after you have it layed.

I hope this answers your question.

Answer 2

I looked at the link Steve in NC offered and he is correct.

I've installed "Floating floors" for the purpose of use in a ballet school; but cannot imagine WHY anyone might suggest them for any home, never mind a mobile. I live in a mobile, and my floors are very stable as is.

The flooring I installed was on Concrete. It was treated 2 x 4's cushioned, specific to what a dance floor should be in FLEX. Over that 3/4 ply was installed. Over that an underlayment was installed. Over that MARLEY was installed. WAY overkill for a residence.

Steven Wolf

Answer 3

It is pretty much what it sounds like. Unlike tile that is stuck down with thin-set or a tradition wood floor that is nailed to a sub-floor. A floating floor comes in interlocking pieces that are locked together to form one solid floor. There is usually a small gap left around the perimeter usually 1/8-3/16 inches around all sides and this gap is hidden by quarter round or shoe molding. The most common is a wood laminate that interlocks. Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Look up Pergo, that is a floating floor system. They're absolutely fine for everything you described. Cost range a lot from less than $1 sq/ft to over $5/sq ft.

Answer 5

A floating floor means that it isn't nailed to the floor or the baseboards, they are usually tounge and groove and nailed to each other.

Answer 6

This website answers every question you have asked and they have done it better than I could have:
http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodinstaller/floater.htm

Answer 7

http://www.hardwoodinstaller.com/hardwoodinstaller/floater.htm