Installation and finish quality
Critical itemFloating floors need flat subfloor (3/16" in 10 feet), proper underlayment, and expansion gaps at all walls and fixed objects.
Standard
Floating floors need flat subfloor (3/16" in 10 feet), proper underlayment, and expansion gaps at all walls and fixed objects.
How to check
1. Walk the floor — check for hollow sounds, clicks, or movement
2. Check expansion gaps at walls (1/4" minimum) — covered by baseboard
3. Verify expansion gaps at all fixed objects (islands, pipes, door frames)
4. Check click-lock joints — should be tight with no visible gaps or lifted edges
5. Check flatness and feel for any bumps or dips
6. Verify underlayment was installed (provides cushion and moisture barrier)
7. Check transitions to other rooms — proper T-molding or transition strip
8. Look for chipped edges or damaged planks
Common problems
- No expansion gaps (floor buckles — most common LVP/laminate problem)
- Hollow sounding areas (subfloor not flat, underlayment issue)
- Click-lock joints not fully engaged (gaps appear over time)
- T-molding missing at doorways (floor can't expand)
- Underlayment missing or doubled (two layers causes bouncing)
- Damaged edges from poor cutting