Floating vs glue-down flooring
3 min read · Written by the WFA flooring team · Updated June 2026
Quick answer
A floating floor clicks together and sits on an underlay without being fixed to the subfloor — it's quicker, cheaper and DIY-friendly, and it's how hybrid, laminate and most engineered timber are laid. Glue-down means bonding each board to the subfloor with flooring adhesive; it feels more solid and quieter underfoot and suits larger engineered boards and herringbone, but costs more and takes longer.
How
Floating: Boards click together over underlay
Glue-down: Boards bonded to the subfloor
Feel
Floating: Slight give, can sound hollow
Glue-down: Solid, quiet
Cost & time
Floating: Lower, faster
Glue-down: Higher, slower (adhesive + labour)
Suits
Floating: Hybrid, laminate, most engineered
Glue-down: Engineered timber, herringbone, large boards
Subfloor
Floating: Flat within ~3 mm over 3 m
Glue-down: Flat and clean; may need self leveller
| Floating | Glue-down | |
|---|---|---|
| How | Boards click together over underlay | Boards bonded to the subfloor |
| Feel | Slight give, can sound hollow | Solid, quiet |
| Cost & time | Lower, faster | Higher, slower (adhesive + labour) |
| Suits | Hybrid, laminate, most engineered | Engineered timber, herringbone, large boards |
| Subfloor | Flat within ~3 mm over 3 m | Flat and clean; may need self leveller |
Subfloor prep matters for both
Uneven concrete is the most common cause of problems. Dips and humps should be ground down or filled with self levelling compound before you lay any floor.