If you’re considering hardwood flooring, one of the first questions you’ll face is: How should it be installed? Should you float it, nail it down, or glue it?
There is no right answer to this question — every project is different. Each method comes with its own benefits and understanding the differences will help you (and your installer) decide what makes the most sense for your space, lifestyle, and budget.
Floating Installation (Cost $): Planks are clicked or glued together and installed “floating” over an underlayment.
- Fastest, easiest, and often the most affordable method.
- Works well when paired with an acoustical underlayment to reduce noise.
- The floor needs an expansion gap around the edges to freely expand and contract. That means you can’t install cabinets or on top of it.
- Moldings are required at exterior doors, transitions to carpet and tile, and to break up long spans.
- If the subfloor isn’t perfectly level, floating floors can sound hollow or squeak, and they may have a slight bounce underfoot.
Nail Down Installation (Cost $$): Planks are fastened to a wood subfloor using nails, staples, or cleats.
- Only suitable for wood subfloors. Must follow the nailing schedule provided by the manufacturer or NWFA.
- Nail-down floors allow for more natural expansion and contraction, which can result in slight gaps or shifting over time.
- Installation method provides no additional acoustical benefit.
- Over time, nails can loosen, leading to squeaks. Augmenting the nails with a “glue-assist” adhesive (like Taylor Ironwood Glue Assist) reduces the likelihood of squeaking.
Glue Down Installation (Cost $$$): Planks are fully adhered to the subfloor.
- Offers the most solid feel underfoot. Adhesive minimizes floor movement and can reduce noise from a loose subfloor.
- Ideal for seamless transitions to tile, carpet, and door thresholds and allows for elegant design touches (header boards, veneer edges, and caulked edges)
- Adhesives are available that can block moisture and provide acoustical benefits
- Most labor-intensive and the adhesive can add to the cost of the project.
- Gluedown floors are difficult to remove or replace
Bottom Line:
Choosing the right hardwood installation method isn’t just about cost - it’s about how you live, the type of subfloor you have, and the look and feel you want to achieve. Before making a decision, consult with your installer or talk to the experts at Paradise Flooring. We’ll help you evaluate your options and guide you toward the installation method that best fits your home or business.
