Assuming proper install....What is the general concensus regarding non-glued, floating floor? Do the joints start to appear over time, ie come apart? I am going to have a contractor install my floor, but still can't decide between glue-down and floating. Floating seems to be a bit cheaper (Amrstrong floating vs. Bruce engineered). I am only going to be in the house another two to three years. Whatever I install I really don't think I will see a drastic increase in the sale of my house. Any comments would be helpful.

 

Even though I'm not a fan of either brand with the products you mentioned, The Bruce Hardwood, will increase the value of your home more then the disposable laminate floor. Yes, it is common for gaps to happen in the loose tolerances, with the cheap laminate floors.

The thing with Bruce Hardwoods, is the milling of the boards. Bowed, banana boards that are impossible to install or leave huge gaps if you try.
Loose tongue and groove milling, coupled with thinner and thicker boards and you have major lippage, or called overwood.

Either floor must be installed over a VERY flat subfloor. And I'm not talking eyeballing it. Stretch a string across the surface. Any space between that string and the subfloor needs to be gone, by the time the planks are laid.
Floorprep to get the floor flat, is always sacrificed to get the floor in as fast as possible.

 

Just out of curiosity what brands do you like, recommend?

Thanks