If you’ve been looking at new flooring, you’ve probably seen the term floating floorboards everywhere.
A floating floor describes how the floor is installed, rather than what the board itself is made from. In fact, laminate, hybrid, engineered timber and bamboo can all be installed as floating floors.
It sounds simple enough. But choosing a floating floor is about more than clicking a few boards together. The flooring material, thickness, subfloor, installation method, moisture exposure, expected lifespan and overall cost can all make a difference.
So, what are floating floorboards really, how much do they cost, and which option makes the most sense for your home?
Let’s break it down.
What Are Floating Floorboards?
A floating floorboard is a plank with a machined joint along all four sides, typically a click-lock or 5G system, that is attached to the adjoining board without using any glue or fastening that touches the underfloor.
You simply slide one board at an angle towards the other board and push it down. The whole floor comes together one row at a time as a single piece of flooring that rests on top of the underlay, supported by its own weight and the other boards around it.
Why Do People Choose Floating Floorboards?
The selling points are relatively simple.
Faster Installation
Click-lock boards can usually be installed far quicker than adhesive or mechanically fixed floors.
Less Invasive
Since the boards aren’t bonded or nailed to the substrate, floating floorboards can be laid on an existing hard floor as long as it meets the specifications of the flooring.
Easier DIY Installation
A straightforward room with a suitable subfloor can be manageable for an experienced DIYer. There is no adhesive curing time or specialist nailing involved.
Easier Future Replacement
You can remove and replace individual click-lock boards depending on the specific product and where the damaged board sits.
Wide Range Of Options
There are a number of materials to choose from. Hybrid, laminate, engineered timber and bamboo can all be floating floorboards.
Floating Floorboards Installation: What You Need To Take Care Of
This is where many DIY flooring projects tend to make a mistake.
Click lock is not the problem. The real headache starts before any boards go down.
According to the Australasian Timber Flooring Association (ATFA) standards, subfloors must be clean, structurally sound, dry, and flat to ensure proper installation and performance of floors.
So before you install your floor, ask yourself:
- Is your subfloor sufficiently level?
- Is it clean, dry and sound?
- Does the chosen floor need an additional underlay?
- Do you need a moisture barrier?
- How much expansion space does the manufacturer specify?
- Are there any limits to room size or movement joints?
- Is the floor right for the room?
- Do you have to remove your existing floor?
A floating floor can be installed over existing floors such as concrete, tiles, and timber substrates, but this doesn’t guarantee that all your existing floors are suitable. A soft or unstable floor allows too much movement, which may affect the joints.
How Thick Should Floating Floorboards Be?
Thickness is one of the most easily misunderstood specifications. More thickness does not necessarily mean a better floor.
Here’s how some typical floating floorboards stack up:
| Flooring | Example thickness | What that thickness tells you |
| Laminate | Around 8-12mm | Includes the board construction, but quality also depends on the HDF core and surface rating |
| Hybrid | Around 6-10mm | May include an attached underlay, so check the actual core thickness |
| Bamboo | Around 14mm | Often a substantial solid bamboo construction |
| Engineered timber | Around 14-18mm+ | Includes the structural layers and genuine timber wear layer |
For example, a hybrid flooring that is 6.5mm thick can be made up of a 5mm rigid core and 1.5mm bonded underlay, whereas an engineered floor that is thicker may be composed of an actual wood top layer which can be refinished.
So, never judge two flooring products by their thickness alone. Instead, find out the composition of their thickness.
How Long Do Floating Floorboards Last?
There is not one universal lifespan for floating floorboards.
The average lifespan of a floating floor will depend on many factors such as materials, quality of the product, its installation, traffic, moisture, cleaning, and overall usage.
| Flooring | Typical lifespan | What affects longevity most? |
| Hybrid | Around 15-25+ years | Wear layer, installation, traffic and moisture exposure |
| Laminate | Around 10-20+ years | Surface rating, traffic and moisture |
| Engineered timber | 20-50+ years | Timber wear layer, maintenance and ability to refinish |
| Bamboo | Around 15-25+ years | Construction, finish, humidity and maintenance |
| Vinyl | Around 10–20+ years | Wear layer, product quality, traffic and installation |
What Should You Be Expecting to Pay for Floating Floorboards?
| Floating floorboard | Example material price |
| Laminate | From $25/m² |
| Hybrid | From $35/m² |
| Engineered timber | From $75/m² |
The price of the boards is just one part of the overall floor budget. Your final floating floorboards cost can also include:
- Underlay
- A moisture barrier, when needed
- Preparation for subfloor
- Trims and scotia
- Stair nosing and transitions
- Cutting waste
- Removal of existing flooring
- Installation labour
- Delivery
So two quotes that seem to match on “per square metre” can still end up very different when you get to the final bill.
Where You Can Use Floating Floorboards
Living room spaces
Hybrid, laminate, engineered timber, bamboo, and floating floorboards are great options depending on your style, comfort, and budget.
Bedrooms
Laminate, engineered timber, and hybrid flooring are ideal for bedrooms since there’s low moisture exposure.
Hallways
Go for high-wear laminate and hybrid floating floorboards since there will be frequent foot traffic here.
Open-concept spaces
Use hybrid or engineered floating floorboards to make the space look well connected across the larger space.
Kitchen areas
Hybrid floating floorboards are the best option here since they provide better resistance to everyday spills and moisture.
A Quick Guide To Make Your Floating Floorboard Pick
DO
- Do inspect your subfloor before purchasing the flooring.
- Do read the installation instructions provided by the manufacturer.
- Do use the correct underlay.
- Do include expansion spaces.
- Do account for cutting waste when ordering.
- Do check the moisture requirements over concrete.
- Do check the acoustic needs.
- Do have some spare boards handy for future repair work.
- Do consider the cost of the whole system, not just the flooring board itself.
DON’T
- Don’t assume thick is always better.
- Don’t install over an unstable and/or too uneven surface.
- Don’t eliminate expansion spaces for a close-knit look.
- Don’t confine your floating floor by attaching the trim and cabinetry.
- Don’t use additional underlay if you’ve purchased a product with an incorporated one.
- Don’t use a water-resistant flooring in place of real waterproofing in wet areas.
- Don’t purchase the flooring only because of its colour online.
Are Floating Floorboards Right For You?
Opt for a floating floorboards installation when you need:
- A quick installation process
- A click lock system
- More potential for DIY installation
- Installation that is less intrusive compared to nail-down flooring
- A wide range of options for material and style choices
- Easy replacement if necessary
Consider alternative installation methods when you require:
- A permanently fixed floor
- A solid underfoot surface
- A classic installation method of nailed timber
- An alternative for a challenging or extremely uneven substrate
Choose The Best Floating Floorboards In Melbourne
Floating floorboards can make a flooring upgrade faster, cleaner and more flexible, but the installation method is only half the decision. The material underneath your feet still matters.
Our flooring options include everything from durable hybrid flooring and practical laminate to the warmth of engineered timber to suit different homes, styles and budgets. Whether you’re replacing one room or redoing the floors throughout your home, get in touch with our experts and get free samples to start your dream project.
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