Nailing and gluing floors to the subfloor has long been the preferred flooring installation method of choice by home improvement professionals. This method often ensures the correct installation of the product while providing greater stability and performance.
However, installing permanent flooring is not always the best option for everyone. Some DIY homeowners and renters much prefer the option of removable flooring that requires no glue or nails to install.

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In addition to the obvious benefit of no messy glue or nails, temporary flooring is also just as easy to install as it is to remove. So, who could benefit the most from removable flooring?
Three Cases Where Temporary Flooring May Be Best For You
Renting a Home or Apartment
Does your apartment or rental home have worn and outdated floors? One of the downsides of being a renter is that you’re often limited about what you can do to your living space. Unless your floors are a safety hazard or extremely worn down, your landlord likely won’t be thrilled at the prospect of a new flooring installation project.

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If you’re desperate to change the outdated floors in your rental, temporary flooring is a great way to update your living space without getting on your landlord’s bad side. Whether you’re using peel and stick vinyl flooring to give your space more personality or covering up bad floors with interlocking carpet tile, there are plenty of ways to spruce up your rental without resorting to permanent glue or nails.
Heavy Construction or Remodeling
So, you recently purchased a fixer-upper and you now have a lot of construction/remodeling projects in the works. The last thing you want to do is run the risk of contractors damaging your new flooring when they remodel your home.
You can provide additional protection for your carpet, hardwood, or ceramic tiles from scratches and drops as you remodel or move by using temporary flooring protection pads and floor shields.
When You’re Undecided on Your Floor Design
With so many different flooring options on the market, choosing the best flooring for your home can be an incredibly tough decision. If you don’t want to commit to a particular floor design but need a fast fix, opting for temporary flooring is a smart choice.

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Floating floors are a great option for those who want to avoid permanently nailing or gluing their floors down. You can easily install them over most existing floors (carpet being the exception), and they come in all different colors, patterns, and styles. If you can’t stand your flooring choice after a few years, you can replace it with a different floating floor for an easy DIY project.
Temporary Floor Designs to Consider
If you think that a temporary floor is right for you, the next step is to decide which temporary flooring solution is best for your situation. Whether you’re redoing your floors in a couple of years or trying to revamp your rental, here are a few options worth considering:
- Vinyl Tile—You don’t need to glue vinyl tile if you don’t want to. In addition to peel and stick vinyl tile, there’s also click lock luxury vinyl tile that interlocks to each board, as opposed to sticking to your floor.
- Laminate Flooring—Floating laminate floors are a popular choice for homeowners due to their many benefits, including low maintenance and ease of install. They also come in a wide range of styles that offer the look of wood or stone, only without the cost.
- Engineered Hardwood—Do you want the look of real wood, but can’t justify the cost? Engineered wood is a beautiful alternative to solid wood and can come in a click lock option. This way, you can get the wood flooring of your dreams while still technically having a temporary fix.
- Cork Flooring—Looking for a floor that’s environmentally friendly and temporary? Cork flooring may be a good choice for some areas of your home. Resilient and able to handle heavy foot traffic, click-lock cork floors are a great solution for eco-conscious homeowners and businesses that are trying to use “green” materials.
Flexible Flooring Designs for Any Situation
Still undecided on a temporary flooring solution? Talk to an expert at BuildDirect! We’re happy to answer all your flooring questions to help you find a floor design you’ll love. Don’t forget to take advantage of our free flooring samples so you can test them in your home.