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To Float or Not to Float? That is the question.

17 years ago

Hello. Can some please give me some advice about the preferred method of installing an engineered wood floor over a cement floor in a 6th floor condo?

I have been given various opinions from flooring companies and my research has produced pros and cons of both gluing and floating the floor. I plan to go with a quality product such as Mirage, Lauzon, or Mercier (3 1/4 inch red oak). And I am still undecided about whether I need to use an underlayment (my building does not require this).

My concerns are: the floor sounding hollow and difficulty removing the floor in the future if changes need to be made.

Also, I have read some disappointing opinions about Mercier quality control issues on this forum and I was wondering if others had experience with any of the above mentioned brands?

Any advice?

Thanks in advance.

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Comments (9)

floorman67
17 years ago
either will work fine.

if floating i always recommend Floor Muffler. In my opinion ( and my custoemrs) its the best of the best in floating floor underlayments.

Another hight quality floating floor underlayment is SilentWalk.

Another one that deals with accoustical concerns is Cork Underlayment.

Make sure you have a install a vapor barrier.
dlk2
Original Author
17 years ago
Thank you for the info! It sounds like you would recommend doing an underlayment either way--gluing or floating. Will an underlayment also make the floor easier to remove in the future if needed?

Lastly, the flooring folks have not mentioned a vapor barrier. I am on the 6th floor. Is that needed?

Thanks again.
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floorman67
17 years ago
an underlayment isnt needed on a glue-down ... with a properly prepared substrate an isntalled hardwood will have a solid sound.

have the isntaller perform moisture testing of the slab and the wood to ensure its wihin standards and equalized prior to installation.

for floaters I always install a vapro barrier because concrete will always breath and release vapor, even on elevated spans, and even though it might be minimal, you want protection from that.

For glued down, unless there is moisture penetration above allowed levels (manufacturer stated) or significant hydrostatic pressure out of the slab (which shouldnt be an issue in an elevated span), then adhesives themselves are enough of a moisure retarder/barrier.
dlk2
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks so much for the info. I appreciate it.
kristenfl
17 years ago
I just used the Silent Walk. Awesome.
dlk2
Original Author
17 years ago
kristenfl, Thanks for the info. Did you float the floor? How do you like it so far? Does the floor sound like a regular hardwood floor??

Thanks.
jerry_t
17 years ago
Are you absolutely sure its is concrete and not gypcrete?
dlk2
Original Author
17 years ago
I am double checking on it right now, but I am fairly certain that it is concrete. There is definitely concrete between the units.
jerry_t
17 years ago
Very good, one can't be too careful concerning that issue.

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