A floating floor installation method attaches flooring planks or tiles to each other — via mechanical click-lock or tongue-and-groove joints — rather than bonding them to the subfloor with adhesive. The assembled floor "floats" above the substrate, held in place by its own weight and perimeter expansion gaps covered by moldings. Floating installation is most commonly used with rigid core LVT (SPC and WPC products) in commercial applications.
Floating installation offers several practical advantages for commercial projects. It is generally faster to install than fully adhered methods, reducing labor cost. Rigid core floating floors can be installed over existing resilient flooring (in good condition), eliminating demolition costs. And the floating method accommodates minor subfloor imperfections — SPC products can typically bridge gaps up to 3/16" per manufacturer specifications — reducing prep requirements on challenging substrates.
Floating floors are not appropriate for all commercial applications. Heavy rolling loads — from pallet jacks, hospital beds, or industrial carts — can stress click-lock joints over time, causing separation or damage. Floating installations are generally not recommended in environments with frequent heavy equipment traffic. Additionally, floating floors require perimeter expansion gaps that must be covered by moldings, which can be a design constraint in certain commercial settings.
While floating installation tolerates more imperfection than glue-down, the substrate must still meet flatness specifications — typically no more than 3/16" variation over 10 feet. Excessive low spots under a floating floor create a hollow, bouncy feel that may be unacceptable in commercial settings. High spots should still be ground flush to prevent pressure points that could cause plank damage.
Novi Bid is built for commercial flooring stores — from takeoff to signed contract.
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