Can You Install Wardrobes on Floating Timber Floors?
Floating timber floors are a popular choice for homeowners seeking a durable, stylish, and easy-to-install flooring solution. However, when it comes to installing wardrobes on floating timber floors, the decision requires careful consideration to ensure your flooring and cabinetry remain functional and beautiful for years to come.
So, can you install wardrobes on floating timber floors? The answer is yes—but with some important caveats. Let’s break it down!!
Understanding Floating Timber Floors
Floating floors aren’t nailed or glued down but instead “float” above the subfloor, held in place by interlocking panels and often a layer of underlay for cushioning and soundproofing. This design allows the floor to expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity. When installing a wardrobe, this expansion and contraction must be accounted for to prevent damage to the flooring or the cabinetry.
Key Considerations for Wardrobes on Floating Floors
1. Expansion Gaps – Floating floors require expansion gaps around the edges to allow for natural movement. If you install a wardrobe directly on top of the floating floor without allowing for this, it can pin the floor down, causing buckling or damage over time.
2. Stability and Weight – Floating floors are not as stable as fixed flooring, which means heavy wardrobes could shift or cause the floor to flex under pressure. If your wardrobe is particularly large or heavy, it’s better to install it on the subfloor, with the floating floor fitted around it.
3. Future Flooring Changes – Installing the wardrobe directly onto the floating floor can make replacing the flooring more difficult in the future. By fitting the wardrobe first and cutting the floating floor to fit around it, you’ll simplify future updates to your space.
Best Practices for Installation
- Secure the Wardrobes to the Subfloor – For the most stable and long-lasting result, remove the floating floor or install floating floor up to the wardrobe, and install the wardrobe directly onto the subfloor. The floating floor can then be cut to fit neatly around the wardrobe edges, preserving its movement capabilities leaving an expansion joint and put beading around the edge of the cabinetry so that it looks seamless.
- Use the right materials – Ensure your wardrobe design includes proper leveling or supports to accommodate any unevenness in the subfloor once the floating floor is removed. For example we use full ladder kicks properly levelled for the highest quality finish and structural integrity.
- Consult Professionals – Working with experts / qualified cabinet makers ensures your wardrobe is installed with the flooring in mind, avoiding costly mistakes or damage.
Conclusion
While you can install wardrobes on floating timber floors, the best approach is to plan the installation carefully to avoid pinning the floor down or compromising its ability to expand and contract. However, if renovating and the flooring is already installed or the timeline you are working to doesn’t permit it, then it is ok to install on a floating floor with a qualified expert.
Why Choose Fox Wardrobes and Cabinetry?
At Fox, we pride ourselves on being trade-qualified cabinet makers. Our team brings specialized skills and a commitment to excellence to every project. We use only the best hardware, materials, and practices to ensure your cabinetry is built to last.
We are members of the Timber Trade Industry Association (TTIA) and Australian Cabinet and Furniture Association (ACFA) ensuring we are up to date with the latest industry issues and challenges and are on the leading edge of industry developments.
When you choose Fox, you’re engaging a company that values quality, safety, and customer satisfaction. Our expertise means that even if challenges arise during your project, we have the knowledge and resources to address them effectively.
For your next cabinetry project, trust your local trade-qualified cabinet makers.
At Fox Wardrobes, we understand that every project is unique, and every client has distinct preferences. Our goal is to provide tailored solutions that meet your unique requirements while ensuring the highest standards of craftsmanship and quality. Our team of experts is here to guide you every step of the way. You can see more of our projects on instagram and Facebook for inspiration. Reach out via online enquiry today or call our office on 9971 8802.