Two basic methods of laying wooden flooring differ in price, speed and how the floor can be worked with a few years later. We advise on what to choose according to your flat.
A floating floor is neither glued nor nailed to the subfloor; individual planks are joined together (using a click or glue tongue-and-groove system) and the entire surface "floats" on an underlayment film or pad. The advantages are speed. We can install a 3+kk apartment in 1-2 working days, and the fact that it can be relatively easily dismantled if access to the subfloor is required. This method is used for laminate, vinyl planks, and three-layer wooden flooring.
Glued flooring is instead bonded over the entire surface directly to the subfloor using special adhesive. It is mainly used for solid wood parquet strips, mosaic or thicker wooden lamellae. Installation takes longer because the subfloor must be perfectly level and dry, and the adhesive needs time to cure before the floor can be fully loaded. The reward is a more stable floor without hollow sound when walking and better heat transfer if you have underfloor heating.
| Criterion | Floating | Glued |
|---|---|---|
| Labour cost | from 180 Kč/m² | higher, depending on area and substrate |
| Installation speed | 1-2 days (3+1 apartment) | longer, due to preparation and drying time |
| Noise when walking | may hum slightly | quieter, more solid feel |
| Future grinding | yes, for massive wooden components | Yes, repeatedly with massive floor skirting boards. |
| Dismantling | easy | difficult, destructive |
Work on floating installation starts at approximately 180 Kč/m², to which material costs are added, laminate from 200 Kč/m², vinyl from 250 Kč/m², wooden floating floor from 600 Kč/m². The website does not state an exact price for glued installation as it depends heavily on substrate preparation and adhesive type, estimate higher labour intensity than the floating variant, roughly from 350 Kč/m² for labour only, excluding materials. We always determine the precise quotation for both options after an on-site inspection.
Whether you choose a floating or glued installation, the result always depends primarily on substrate preparation. The concrete must be sufficiently dry and level, usually within a tolerance of 2-3 mm over 2 metres. If the substrate does not meet requirements, we will level it with self-levelling screed before laying, this step is particularly important for the glued variant, because unevenness beneath an adhered floor cannot be compensated afterwards, unlike with a floating floor where the underlay partially levels minor imperfections.
Floating installation is suitable when you need a quick solution, anticipate a possible future replacement (for example, in a rented flat), or are choosing vinyl or laminate for use with children or pets. Glued-down installation is, conversely, the better option for solid wood flooring in owner-occupied homes where you want maximum stability, quieter walking and the possibility of sanding the floor several times in the future, similar to traditional parquet strips, which we discuss in our article on when renovating a wooden floor makes sense.
Depending on the material type, the installation method is largely self-determined. Vinyl planks (LVP/SPC) and floating laminate are practically always installed as floating floors. Three-layer engineered wood flooring can be laid either way, floating is faster and cheaper, while glued-down offers greater stability. Solid wood strips and wooden mosaic tiles, on the other hand, are almost always glued down, as their smaller format would not hold its shape in a floating installation and would eventually develop gaps.
Both options can be used over underfloor heating, but you must choose a material with the appropriate certification and not exceed the recommended surface temperature (usually up to 27 °C). Glued flooring has a slight advantage here due to better heat transfer thanks to direct contact with the subfloor. With floating installation, it is necessary to ensure a high-quality underlay to avoid acoustic booming. Which material and installation method suits your flat best will be discussed during our free consultation. We will also bring material samples so you can inspect the decor and shade directly in the daylight of your flat.
Unsure whether to choose a floating or glued installation? We will advise you on site.
Request a consultationWhen is it still worthwhile to renovate and when should you opt for a new floor straight away.
PriceComplete price list for renovation, provided the wood beneath the floor is still worth restoring.
ServiceVinyl, laminate and wooden floating floor: price list and request for quotation.