- More cost effective.
- Minor subfloor imperfections can be absorbed by the underlay.
- The ideal installation method for people who have trouble walking on harder surfaces, due to arthritis, knee or back problems etc.
- Generally, provides better sound and heat insulation properties. This is of particular importance in multi storey developments.
- Quicker and easier to install and is ideally suited for the DIY market.
- Perfect to install over existing flooring finishes such as vinyl, timber or tiles that the client does not wish to remove, noting that the existing floor finishes need to be stable.
- They can easily be removed should they get damaged.
- Some degree of vertical movement of the flooring underfoot is to be expected, as the flooring has not been adhered or fixed to the subfloor. As a result, it is common for some of the floorboards installed to creak, fell slightly springy, sound slightly hollow or drummy underfoot, squeak, click, etc. This is nothing to be concerned about and will not compromise the structural integrity of the flooring, unless the levels are extremely poor and were not fixed.
- Tend to expand more than those floors installed via the Glue Down Method of Installation. As a result, over large expanses, expansion joints will need to be installed.
- The introduction of and underlay can add some degree of moisture resistance or barrier.
| - Can be installed directly over existing tiles as long as they are stable and the tiles are keyed up with a grinder to ensure that the adhesives adhere to the tiles.
- When employing the Glue Down Method over existing timber flooring, the existing timber flooring will need to be keyed up with a sander and the new flooring installed in the opposite direction to the existing timber flooring (depending on the age of the existing timber flooring). Never glue down a floor over another engineered timber floor installed via the Floating Method of Installation, which will be required to be removed first.
- Quieter and more solid under foot than the Floating Method of Installation.
- Acoustically better in terms of less footfall noise and vibration.
- Installation is more complex and costly.
- Provides a more premium finish.
- When the levels are not precise and fixing the flooring to the subfloor, this reduces the likelihood of vertical movement of the floorboards. Levels still need to be checked prior to installation, working within 3mm over 3 lineal meters.
- Allows for a more successful sand and polish.
- Moisture testing of the subfloor prior to installation and possibly the application of a moisture barrier are important in order to ensure proper adhesion of the timber flooring to the subfloor.
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