Hello!

I would like to install a prefinished engineered hardwood floor in the living area, dining area, and hallways in a single-story home in Arkansas built on a concrete slab. I would prefer to install a floating floor myself; I feel that gluing down the floor is out of my league, especially after reading the helpful information found in the knowledge base section on this website. Which of the following options would likely both minimize the “hollow feel” that is sometimes problematic with floating floors and reduce the chance of the floor squeaking?

wider planks or narrower planks?
thicker planks or thinner planks?
thicker underlayment or thinner underlayment?

Also, I would like to install the floor soon. It’s almost August. How long should I let the wood acclimate to the environment in my home before it is installed?

Thanks in advance for your recommendations.

Brad

Flatness is the #1 issue for you. To many times this is neglected and no matter what product someone uses, they will be unhappy if they fail to address this. Since you doing this yourself you can supply the elbow grease. You can't get a slab too flat.

No. 2 would be the underlayment, the best by far is called Sound Solutions, sold right here. I buy it in 6' wide rolls and one roll weighs so much I can barely carry myself. But, there is no better padding to reduce or even eliminate that hollow feel when you walk.

Just my opinion here... I prefer at least a 1/2" thick and a minimum 5" wide and one that the joints use glue... like Anderson engineered. I also like Kahrs Woodloc that clicks together, but I can tell a slight difference when the side joints are glued up.