Click flooring, also known as click-lock flooring, has transformed the world of interior design with its combination of ease of installation & versatility. Yes, a click-lock floor is the same as a floating floor. Both terms refer to a type of flooring that is not attached to the subfloor below it. Instead, it ‘floats’ or sits on top of the subfloor and is held in place by friction and the weight of the flooring itself. Floating floors are assembled with tiles or planks that easily click and lock together with an ingenious interlocking tongue and groove system.
Most flooring materials nowadays are available with the click-lock system, especially luxury vinyl, engineered wood, bamboo and laminate. Click-lock cork and hardwood is also available on the market, though not as readily at big box stores but more so through a few specialized manufacturers such as Easiklip for click-lock hardwood and Wecork for cork.
The great advantage of click flooring is it’s ease of installation and ability to be disassembled, repaired or relocated. Attached flooring cannot be removed and reused like click floors. Damaged planks are not easy to replace on attached floors like they are on floating floors. Attached flooring installations use nails, staples or adhesives to attach the flooring materials to the subfloor. This makes the installation process more difficult and requires expertise. This is especially true for hardwood flooring which usually requires a professional to install.
Any type of click-lock floor is a pretty easy do-it-yourself job for most homeowners. You can install it over most any relatively flat subfloor including concrete, wood, and vinyl. Since it’s not attached to the subfloor, you usually don’t need to remove any existing flooring materials. Attached flooring on the other hand does require removal of materials and preparation of the subfloor, which is alot more work. And click flooring can go in any room in your house. Most installs can be completed in a day.
Be aware that there are a few different types of click lock systems, with different methods of locking the planks together, namely: Angle Drop, Angle Tap, & Angle Angle. Amongst the three – Angle Drop is the easiest system to install. Still all click-lock systems are easy enough to install. Just be careful to follow manufacturer instructions. Not following properly could result in damaged boards.
Also be aware that expansion & contraction of flooring caused by changes in temperature & humidity is something to be considered even with click flooring. And this applies not only to wood but also laminate and even vinyl. When installing one must leave an expansion gap around the perimeter. This prevents the floor from buckling. The gap is usually covered by the floor molding.
Floating floors are available from most major manufacturers like Shaw, Armstrong, Mohawk and Mannington. Today most common flooring materials especially luxury vinyl, laminate, engineered wood and bamboo are available as click lock flooring. There are various grades, warrantees & price points available of course. And as with anything, the cheapest option may not be as long lasting. But there are plenty of options that are as durable and long lasting as attached flooring materials. And you may save money on the installation whether you do-it-yourself or hire an installer.
Though floating floors can be just as durable and long lasting as attached floors, floating floors are not quite as stable, especially if they are not installed properly. This can be a problem with squeaking and creaking in high-traffic areas, or buckling in areas where very heavy furniture is placed. It is important to use a soundproofing underlayment to reduce noise.
Aside from that click flooring has more pros than cons. And like other flooring materials today, click flooring is available in a wide array of styles which can look like real wood, stone or tile. And tile – porcelain or ceramic, is not something that comes as click lock, it must be applied with adhesives like thinset, mastic, and grout. But you can have a click lock floor that looks like real tile and install it yourself for considerably less in many cases.
Click flooring has revolutionized the flooring industry, offering a practical, stylish, and budget-friendly solution for homeowners and businesses alike. With a range of materials, colors, and styles to choose from, click flooring allows you to customize your space with ease. Its advantages, including easy installation, durability, moisture resistance, and design flexibility, make it a top choice for various settings.
