Parquet Installation Methods: Click, Glue and Nail Down

Three main methods are used to install parquet: the click (floating) system, full glue down bonding and nail down fixing. Click systems give laminate and engineered boards a fast, removable solution. Glue down creates a quiet, stable surface bonded directly to the subfloor. Nail down is the traditional technique for thick solid wood laid over timber.

What is click (floating) installation and where is it used?

Click installation is the method where boards lock into each other and rest on the subfloor without being fixed to it, which is why it is also called a floating system.

In this method the locking profile on the board edges works either with an angled engagement or a drop lock principle. The parquet is attached to the screed neither with adhesive nor with mechanical fixings, so the whole covering moves as a single layer over the underlay beneath it. Because laminate and most engineered boards are between 8 and 12 mm thick, the system is especially common in these product groups.

The greatest strength of the click system is speed. Since it is a dry application, there is no adhesive curing time to wait for and the room can usually be used the same day. That is why it is preferred in rented apartments where a move is possible, in offices and in projects with a tight renovation schedule. On the other hand, because the covering is not bonded to the subfloor, footstep sound is more noticeable. For that reason an underlay with acoustic insulation and a moisture barrier is not an option, it is an inseparable part of the installation.

Glue down installation: the advantages of a fully bonded system

Glue down installation is the method where the parquet is fixed in full contact directly onto the screed or a prepared subfloor using a suitable adhesive.

With this technique the cavity under the board disappears. The floor feels fuller, quieter and more solid underfoot, which is why it is frequently chosen for hotel lobbies, retail spaces and meeting rooms where traffic is heavy. Combined with the multi layer structure of engineered parquet, dimensional stability is high, so it is also a widespread application over underfloor heating because heat transfer is more direct.

The price of the glue down method is the sensitivity it demands during subfloor preparation. The flatness, cleanliness and dryness of the screed surface are decisive. On cement based screed, the generally accepted expectation is that moisture content has dropped below 2 percent. Removal is also far harder than with a click system and reusing the boards may not be practical. The adhesive type must suit the product as well, and elastic, non water based adhesives should be applied so that the natural movement of the wood is allowed.

Nail down installation: the traditional method for solid parquet

Nail down installation is the classic technique in which boards are secret nailed or stapled onto timber battens, OSB or a wooden subfloor.

This method makes most sense with thick solid parquet. Single piece timber expands and contracts as humidity changes, and the nail down system carries that movement in a controlled way while providing a connection suited to the nature of the board. In traditional practice the nails are driven at an angle through the tongue of the board so that they stay hidden. No metal trace remains on the surface. The fact that solid parquet can be sanded and refinished several times during its life is also compatible with this method.

What nail down installation requires is craftsmanship. Batten spacing, the moisture balance of the timber subfloor and acclimatising the boards in the room before work begins all directly affect the result. Conditioning the parquet for several days in the space where it will be laid is common practice in the industry. You can find more detail on choosing and caring for solid products in the solid parquet articles section.

Choosing the right installation method step by step

Identify the covering type: laminate and most engineered boards suit click systems, while thick solid parquet suits nail down or glue down.
Determine the subfloor type: clarify whether it is screed, a timber base or old ceramic tile.
Have the screed moisture measured and confirm the value is below the generally accepted 2 percent limit.
If there is underfloor heating, confirm the surface temperature will not exceed 27 degrees and select a product approved for the system.
Assess how intensively the space will be used and aim for at least an AC4 use class in laminate.
Clarify your expectation for acoustic comfort and choose the underlay in a click system accordingly.
If a move or removal is likely, prioritise click. If you want a permanent and quiet surface, prioritise glue down.

Subfloor preparation: the shared condition of all three methods

Whatever the installation method, the real factor that determines the outcome is the flatness, dryness and cleanliness of the subfloor.

Local dips and humps on the screed surface strain the locks in a click system and cause them to open over time. In a glue down application they prevent the adhesive from spreading at an even thickness and create hollow areas. The widely accepted rule in the sector is that deviation under a 2 metre straightedge should not exceed a few millimetres. Differences beyond that are corrected with levelling screed or self smoothing products.

Moisture is the second critical heading. If damp rising from below is not controlled with a vapour barrier layer, the wood swells and the edges lift. Leaving an expansion gap at wall perimeters and threshold transitions is also compulsory. This gap is concealed by the skirting and gives the covering room for seasonal movement. She Parquet installation teams always start a job with subfloor measurement because most problems that appear after installation can be solved at this stage.

Patterned installations and their effect on method

In patterned layouts such as herringbone, chevron and chenille, the choice of method is more restricted than in standard straight laying.

In patterned work every board advances on an angled axis, which means the locking system receives force from different directions. For this reason herringbone and chevron are most often installed with the glue down method, since a fully bonded system fixes the geometry of the pattern and reduces the long term risk of gaps opening. Click versions are produced too, but on those products the locking profile is designed specifically for the pattern and the left and right board distinction must be respected.

Pattern choice also affects waste. Angled cuts create more offcuts at the perimeter, so an additional allowance is added when calculating quantities. For the aesthetic and technical details of patterned products, Herringbone Laminate Parquet: Elegance and Durability Together is a good starting point.

Comparison in terms of cost, lifespan and maintenance

The click system has the lowest labour cost, glue down sits in the middle, and nail down solid installation demands the highest investment in both material and labour.

Reading cost only through the first day is misleading, however. Nailed or glued solid parquet can be sanded and renewed several times as long as the wear layer thickness allows, which means decades of service life. In laminate the wear layer is melamine based, renewal is not possible and the product is replaced when its life ends. Engineered parquet sits in a balanced position between these two extremes.

Maintenance habits do not change with the method, but they remain critical. Avoiding excess water, cleaning with a damp and well wrung cloth and keeping indoor relative humidity balanced extend the life of all three systems. Anyone who wants to examine the differences between product classes in depth can read the Imported Engineered Parquet article. She Parquet plans the choice of method in residential and hotel projects according to how intensively the space will be used.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can click parquet be glued down?

Some locking system products can be installed with adhesive if the manufacturer approves it. However, not every click product suits this method, and the wrong adhesive can damage the locking profile. Always have the technical data sheet checked before installation.

Does solid parquet always have to be nailed?

No, solid parquet can also be fully bonded onto suitable screed with an elastic adhesive. The nail down method is generally preferred on floors with a timber base or batten system. In rooms with underfloor heating, the glue down method is usually recommended.

When can the floor be used after installation?

With a click system the floor can usually be used the same day. In a glue down application you wait for the curing time stated by the manufacturer, which is generally one to two days. Placing heavy furniture should be left until the end of that period.

Can parquet be laid over old ceramic tile?

If the surface is sound, flat and dry, click parquet can be installed over old ceramic tile. Cracked or loose tiles must be repaired first and joint differences levelled. Because the floor height increases, the clearance under doors should be measured in advance.

How many millimetres should the expansion gap be?

At wall perimeters and around fixed elements a gap of 8 to 12 mm is usually left. The allowance increases as the room grows, and intermediate expansion profiles are used in large areas. This gap is hidden with skirting or a profile.