We recommend using a glue assist method on any solid hardwood flooring over 5″ wide.
If you have a concrete subfloor, then you should glue your hardwood down, if you have a wooden subfloor then you can choose either method of installation. However, if you are planning on fitting your hardwood floor to joists, then you will need to secret nail them into place.
Glue-down installation
Parquet flooring, Laminate, Luxury vinyl tiles, Engineered wood flooring are are available in glue-down method.
Installation of Wide Plank Flooring. Nail down installation of wide plank solid and wide plank engineered flooring requires additional bonding to the subfloor to prevent movement and squeaks.
Glued is by far the best. It's rock solid and mimiccs the feel of true hardwood much better than floated which no matter what you do or how well it's installed will always feel a little soft or have some give. Nailed is good, but can still move a bit and you're on concrete so that's not an option. Glued is awesome.
Challenging installation
The biggest drawback to glue-down vinyl flooring is the complexity of the installation process. This method requires more skill, precision, and time compared to floating vinyl flooring. Most homeowners choose to hire a professional for glue-down installation, which increases labor costs.
- Durability: floating flooring is not as durable a solution as glue-down flooring; - Noisier inside the house: the way it is installed means that there is space between each layer, and because of this this this type of floor can cause more noise when you walk around inside the house.
We recommend using a glue assist method on any solid hardwood flooring over 5″ wide.
2) They Are Susceptible to Moisture Damage
This makes them prone to warping or cupping due to changes in humidity. That's why wide planks are not recommended for environments that have wide humidity fluctuations.
When it comes to learning how to lay Tongue & Groove flooring, there are a few different techniques. It can either be floated, nailed or glued down. The floating method makes the most of this style of installation, as it doesn't require nails or adhesives.
Glue down method – Completely cover the concrete with a good mastic glue by troweling glue directly to concrete. Cover entire concrete floor with glue to create a moisture barrier between the wood and concrete.
This “floating” installation method remains a very popular choice today — especially for vinyl flooring. Depending on the type of floating product, floating installations involve little to no adhesive that can either be installed directly over the subfloor, or using a cushion or vapor barrier system.
If the subfloor isn't suitable for use of adhesives, then a floating floor might be the best option. If the room or environment is subjected to inconsistent temperatures or the substrate is uneven, a direct glue installation will be the best.
When it comes to new flooring installation, it pays to invest in a quality underlayment for your hardwood floors. Wood is a beautiful product, but it requires extra support to provide the best outcome for residents of homes, apartments, office buildings, and more.
Many vinyl plank floors require a glue-down installation process.
During installation, the adhesive used to secure the planks or tiles in place needs time to dry and cure. This process usually takes around 24 hours, after which the flooring can be walked on and furniture can be moved back into place.
Stick with thin widths for a classic wood floor: If you're a traditionalist, planks between 2 ¼ inches and 3 inches are most common in homes and give you that classic hardwood floor appearance. Go wide if you love character: Wider floorboards of 5 to 12 inches reveal a wood's character, including grain and knots.
Hardwood flooring trends may ebb and flow, but some styles are simply too classic to ever truly go out of fashion. One such timeless option is wide plank hardwood flooring, a design choice that has been gracing homes for centuries but is now making a big comeback in modern spaces.
If properly taken care of, hardwood can last a lifetime. It's very scratch resistant, more so than LVP, and repels water much better than it's given credit for.
Homes with a concrete subfloor should glue down hardwood floor, while a wooden subfloor allows for either option. Subfloor prep is especially critical for gluing hardwood floors.
The tighter grip they provide makes screws the superior long term solution. If you have a solid wood floor (not floating engineered installation) the best option is to screw and glue your floor, thus increasing its stability substantially and preventing squeakiness.
General installation, no matter if planks are being nailed, glued, or floated, ends up being $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot. If a home has concrete subfloors, plywood needs to be added on top before any planks are installed, and this service ends up being an additional $1.50 per square foot.
Floating floors are also more sensitive to humidity and moisture. If they are exposed in excess to moisture a floating floor can warp, Pitt, or even start growing mold. Floating floors should NOT be installed in commercial projects.
Antique heart pine and American cherry are the most stable with respect to seasonal movement. Oak, walnut, and ash are average, but hickory and beech are the most unstable of domestic hardwood species. Don't allow wood flooring stability to affect your specie selection though, the differences are minor.