Floating method or glue fix

Part of the very successful engineered hardwood flooring system is the floating method of installation.

As ambient conditions change, a floating wood floor moves freely without restriction. On the other hand, when the underside of the wood is fixed to the sub-floor with adhesive, this freedom to move is restricted. The floating method of installation is therefore recommended to allow the full and free movement of the wood floor as one piece.

Correctly installed, over a level sub-floor, the level of sound produced by walking on a floating floor is generally no greater (and can be less) than the sound produced by walking on a floor which has been fixed with adhesive.

A floating floor is usually laid over one of a variety of underlays available on the market, generally these are around 3mm thick. These underlays allow the installation of the wood floor over slightly imperfect sub-floors and provide acoustics, insulation and a limited moisture barrier.

There will however, be certain situations where, for various reasons, glue down fixing is the only method which can be used. Stairs may be one example. Given that Ekowood is meticulously processed and dried from the beginning with flooring in mind, it is unlikely that problems will arise if it is glued down over a completely dry substrate.

Your Ekowood dealer will be happy to provide further advice on which method is best for your situation.

Technical Brochure

For detailed maintainence and installation guidelines
please download the technical brochure here.