Any experience with a floating floor system??

[MrDragster1970]

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Need a new floor for a kitchen, laundry room on a slab.
The concrete has cracked and ruined the cheap tile.
My thinking is that floating stuff will solve my issue, and to be honest, nobody I know has ever installed it.
The thinking was the underlayment would spread over the cracks so the glue doesn't tear apart the new planks.
Then I saw some say directly over the tile??
Plus I really like the plank look over tile.

Any real world experience would be appreciated, thanks Guys.

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[willizm]

From what contractors have told me in the past the floating floor stuff does not work well if your floors are not perfectly flat and even in the area you’re putting it down in. That was 10 years ago so unless it’s changed much I would look for other alternatives.

 

[Ron Vogel]

I did a floating floor for my old studio, but I built a frame, glued and screwed overlapping plywood on it. Suspended by rubber isolators

 

[syP]

Floating floor as in vinyl or laminate plank tongue and groove flooring?

 

[MrDragster1970]

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I can string it over the W/E to check how flat it is, great tip thanks.
It is a very old tiny house/cabin deal. I never really checked how flat it is.

Trying to stay with just the thin roll out underlayment I saw, so it will match the transition to carpet better.
I hate the difference there is now. I definitely don't want to go through all that.
I would just carpet it before going through all that.
I loved the carpet we had in my 1st condo.
I just really liked a grayish plank floor I saw some where, which gave me this idea.

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[Bob Kazamakis]

You’ll have to use a floor leveling compound. It won’t work over cracked and uneven concrete. You’ll also need a vapor barrier.

An alternative would be tile that looks like wood

 

[GTPpower]

I install a decent amount of this. How bad are the cracks? Is the concrete still moving?

I would never install it over concrete cracks unless the cracks were really small and not moving.

In my opinion, your only options that will last is carpet, and possibly tile installed with an uncoupling membrane.

 

[MrDragster1970]

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This is what I needed.
The cracks are still growing.
I've had the place 2 years, and the floor was new when I bought the shack, so in 2 years it's still moving.

I will change plans and start looking for a carpet pattern I like, Thanks!!!

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[Bob Kazamakis]

Maybe figure out the root cause and fix it first? Yikes.

 

[Lead Pipe]

LVP is your ticket. The vinyl is more flexible than laminate and most come with a cork backing so no underlayment needed.

This is what I used in my house. https://www.flooranddecor.com/nucore-flooring

 

[GTPpower]

I agree. If the cracks are growing, you need to find the problem. Sad to say it, but the concrete needs to come out.

 

[MrDragster1970]

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I am not rebuilding the slab, it's a couple of small cracks.
It's a tiny cheap ass shack I picked up to be closer to my new shop & 41.

I needed a change and some peace & quiet on W/E's.
The place is not falling down, it ripped the cheap tile they threw down to hide the movement, not a major deal.
If they wouldn't have glued the floor so completely, I doubt I would ever know about it??
I was hoping a floating floor would update the look a little and not be effected by a couple of small cracks.
There is no raising or sinking anywhere, just small cracks in the slab.
Carpet will be fine, I'm old, I'm not trying to make 30 year plans.

Thanks for the advice.

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[MrDragster1970]

LVP is your ticket. The vinyl is more flexible than laminate and most come with a cork backing so no underlayment needed.

This is what I used in my house. https://www.flooranddecor.com/nucore-flooring

That's exactly the look I was going for.
The cork backing sounds like a great idea for a slab!!!
Great tip.


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[GTPpower]

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I am not rebuilding the slab, it's a couple of small cracks.
It's a tiny cheap ass shack I picked up to be closer to my new shop & 41.

I needed a change and some peace & quiet on W/E's.
The place is not falling down, it ripped the cheap tile they threw down to hide the movement, not a major deal.
If they wouldn't have glued the floor so completely, I doubt I would ever know about it??
I was hoping a floating floor would update the look a little and not be effected by a couple of small cracks.
There is no raising or sinking anywhere, just small cracks in the slab.
Carpet will be fine, I'm old, I'm not trying to make 30 year plans.

Thanks for the advice.

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I can't blame you there. Just keep your eyes open for something that could be the cause. Pay attention to how water runs away from the fountain.

 

[MrDragster1970]

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The north side has a good slope away, the rest is kind of flat, but no pooling at all.
It's just an old house/shack on a slab, and it has 2 cracks that split the tile.
Like I said, if they would have done a better job covering up the problem area, I probably would never know.
Built in 1950, so I'm sure the base work was not as strong as a modern build.
Also doing a roof this year for sure, and it's time for doors and windows if I get my butt in gear!!
It's drafty as heck.

Still planning to move to Indiana, but most of my work is downtown & north side, so that's delayed a little to save on drive time.

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[GTPpower]

It would be a good idea to adjust the slope on the flat sides. Also, make sure all your gutters and downspouts are functioning properly.