How come laminate can be floated, but not hardwood?

Question

I mean floorings, :)

Answer 1

laminate is designed to be easy to install and thus easy to replace when it gets damaged. Hardwood flooring can be a lifetime install is installed to be firmly attached. It can be repaired by sanding and refinishing where as the laminate cannot be repaired. Go with the hardwood flooring now if possible it will save you money in the long run plus the look is so much better and the color can be changed as your taste desires it so. But not that laminate. Every little scratch will be visible until it is replaced.

Answer 2

laminate flooring is designed to lock together thus eliminating the need to nail the floor. hardwood flooring has a tongue and groove and does not lock the same way. if not nailed down, the joints will come apart and the floor will loosen. it will be most noticeable during the season changes(hot to cold) good luck  

Answer 3

my best guess is that laminate is a mixture of woods with a thin sheet glued on top so the base wood is not hardwood but a plywood or particle board.

Answer 4

laminate flooring is a very thin layer of the wood over something else. the something else is designed to be installed that way.

hardwood flooring is wood all the way down. if you don't fasten it properly, it will creak when the boards move against each other and the fasteners.

Answer 5

  All good answers but just another thought..There is an engineered (real wood laminated together) That can be a floating floor , nailed or glued.. You ll have to check around to find it.. Most "mom and pop " flooring store should have it.. GL