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If you’ve spent any time researching new floors, you’ve likely come across luxury vinyl flooring. With that, you’ve likely seen the option of glue down or a floating luxury vinyl flooring.
Don’t let the jargon trip you up, both glue down and floating luxury vinyl flooring can be great options for your space. Many product lines come in both floating and glue down. With that said, it’s important to understand what floating means and how that will affect your installation ideas.
What Exactly is a Floating Floor?
In the past, flooring had to be nailed, stapled, or glued down to your subfloor. A floating floor is different.
The luxury vinyl planks or tiles "click" together using a specialized locking system, allowing the floor to sit securely on top of your subfloor without being permanently attached to it.
Floating luxury vinyl flooring is a stunningly straightforward solution that delivers high-end performance without the unnecessary complications. .
The Benefits of a Floating LVP
Forgiving over Subfloors: Because the floor isn't glued down, it can often be installed directly over existing hard surfaces (like old tile or wood) as long as they are flat and level. This saves you the time and expense of a messy tear-out.
*Floating LVP cannot go over hardwood glued to concrete in a slab home construction. See installation instructions for specific subfloor requirements
Expansion and Contraction: Homes naturally shift with the seasons. A floating floor has the flexibility to expand and contract slightly without buckling or cracking, which is essential for long-term durability.
Comfort Underfoot: Many floating vinyl options come with an integrated backing (like cork or foam) that provides a bit of "give" and sound insulation. It makes your kitchen or living room much more comfortable to stand on during a long day.
Floating LVP is the Preferred Choice for DIY-ers but We’d Still Recommend the Pros
If you’re on a tight budget, then a floating LVP is likely the best choice. It is simply and easy to install for anyone without flooring installation experience… with a few caveats.
Luxury vinyl flooring is only as good as its foundation. A trusted professional like our trusted retailers, have experts who have installed thousands of floors and are well versed with the right tools to make your home look beautiful. They’ll have the expertise to ensure your subfloor is perfectly level, a critical step to prevent clicking or shifting over time.
DIY projects have hidden costs including multiple trips to your local Home Depot or flooring store, hours laying and then possibly re-laying, and of course, unforeseen roadblocks that can end up resulting in an unfinished or sloppy look.
By working with a local flooring expert, you’re not just buying a floor; you’re ensuring that your investment is installed with the same level of quality and care we put into making it. It’s the simplest way to get a result that stands up to the reality of kids, pets, and daily life without the stress of "doing it yourself."
Is Floating Luxury Vinyl Flooring Right for You? Visit Your Local Proximity Mills Retailer to Find Out!
Our floating luxury vinyl is built for real life. It is designed to be waterproof from the surface, meaning a spilled drink or a wet umbrella won't ruin your afternoon. We’ve done the legwork to ensure our products offer industry-leading quality, so you can trust that your floor will perform exactly how it’s supposed to.
While floating floors are incredibly versatile, they do require a flat surface to perform their best. If your subfloor has significant dips or peaks, it's worth having a professional take a look before you start.
We believe in providing honest value and products that work. That’s why we only sell through trusted local professionals who can give you straight answers and expert installation.
Find a Proximity Mills dealer near you to see our curated selection of floating luxury vinyl in person.
