Can You Lay a Floating Floor Over the Top of Peel-and-Stick Flooring?

Floating Floor Basics

• Floating floors are installed using tongue-and-groove technology. Each plank has a tongue on one side and at one end and a groove on the other side and other end. Secure the planks together by fitting the tongue in the groove and giving the board a slight tap with a rubber mallet. Install floating floors over old flooring only if it is level and does not have any serious dips or lumps. Tile, vinyl, concrete and even old wood flooring can be left under a floating floor.

Underlayment

• If you are laying your floor over a concrete subfloor, seal the concrete or lay a thick sheet of plastic down as a vapor barrier. Planks laid over existing flooring material do not need a moisture barrier. Since they are not attached to any solid surface, floating floors don't absorb sound well and can be loud. Many manufacturers sell a thin foam pad to place under the floor as a noise dampener. This foam can be used over concrete or over an existing floor.

Engineered or Laminate

• Floating floors are made of either engineered wood or laminate. Engineered wood is wood veneer glued to pine or plywood planks. It is durable but can't be sanded down as often as solid wood. It comes in a variety of colors and finishes. Laminate flooring is a laminate veneer made to look like natural wood and glued to pressboard or plywood. Laminate flooring is more resistant to chipping, denting and scratching than engineered wood, but it doesn't offer the same authentic feel as wood.

Care of Your Floors

• Although they're strong and durable, hardwood and laminate flooring have specific care requirements. Harsh chemical cleaners containing soaps, detergents or ammonia can damage the finish on floating floors. Spot-clean spills as they happen so you never need to use a wet mop on your wood or laminate floors. Any moisture can cause wood to expand and warp. Daily sweeping or dry mopping with a cotton mop should be all you need to keep your floor looking its best.