Choosing the Right Floating Floor: Characteristics

Now that you’ve narrowed down the type of floating floor you’d like installed, it’s time to choose the characteristics of your flooring. First things first, pick a type of floor wood. There are a lot of options available, and it goes without saying, but there’s something suited to all likings and budgets!

Characteristics to Consider When Choosing Your Floating Floors

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Wood sourced from deciduous trees will typically give floors a more conventional result. However, should you opt for coniferous wood, like fir, you’ll get a farmhouse look. Note that some of the most commonly used floating floor woods are oak, pine, maple, cherry, and silver (silky) oak.

For those with a bigger budget at their disposal, you can also steer more toward exotic species such as aged ash vinyl, old oak, barnwood vinyl, and sugar (hard) maple vinyl. In any case, it ultimately comes down to personal taste.

Pro Tip

If you’re hemming and hawing between a few, ask the manufacturer if you can grab a few take-home slat samples, that way you can see which type of wood works best depending on the room you plan to install the flooring, while also keeping in mind natural and artificial lighting.

Wood Flooring Grades

Wood slats are typically categorized according to a grade. Every type of wood has a distinct coloration, even if it’s been treated or stained, there can still be some recognizable wood-specific knots and stains. Manufacturers will categorize wood according to colour uniformity and whether there’s knotting. Since wood is a natural material, it’s perfectly normal that not all slats are exactly the same.

Such detail can add a genuine feel to the floor. And, to achieve a bit more of a rustic look, or maybe more so for a chalet, you can opt for extra knotted slats. 

Positioning the Wood Slats

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Depending on the size of the room, the direction in which the wood slats are positioned can make the room appear bigger or smaller than it actually is. Whether they’re laid length- or width-wise, don’t underestimate the power of disposition. For example, if you’re standing in a long but narrow room, avoid positioning the flooring slats width-wise. Doing so would result in too many slats, and the outcome wouldn’t necessarily be appealing. 

Don’t hesitate to ask for help from a sales associate to make sure that you’re making the right choice; a lot of stores have a customer service department! Note that the width of the slats themselves will also have an impact on the room's final outcome. Too small or too wide slats can very much alter the overall look. 

Floating Floor Finish

Unlike a hardwood floor, applying a finishing coat (glossy, semi-gloss, or matte) won’t necessarily prolong the floor’s durability. There are several reasons why polishing a floating floor won't result in any beneficial improvement. But, for starters, let's just say that, compared to traditional wood, floating floors are an entity instead of a real substance.

Floating Floor Maintenance

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There’s a cleaning product that’s sold over the counter in all department and retail stores that gives floors that nice, sought-after sheen. However, it’ll be a short-lived result. Floating floors are really easy to maintain. And, with specially-made products, your floors will maintain their appeal and condition for years to come.

Prior to the installation, feel free to do some quality control by taking out each and every floor slat from their packaging and ensuring they have a certain uniformity. Doing so could prevent unforeseen twists and turns.

To learn more about floating floor installation, or floors in general, check out the following:

• How to Install a Floating Floor: Step-by-Step Instructions

• Price Guide: Flooring Materials

• Flooring Renovation Guide

• How to Remove a Floor and Subfloor