Excessive fastener spacing

Destructive testing

Destructive testing

Lack of Adhesive

Lack of adhesive

Lack of Adhesive

Hollow noise area

Flatness issues

Flatness issues

Hollow Sounds (Hardwood Flooring)

Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide

Summary

Hollow sounds in hardwood flooring are audible tonal differences that occur when portions of the floor sound different under foot or when tapped, without necessarily indicating a problem with the floor system. The condition reflects how the flooring and subfloor interact acoustically rather than a direct indicator of structural or attachment failure. Hollow response may occur with or without measurable vertical movement and may be influenced by installation method, subfloor flatness, adhesive distribution, fastener engagement, overall stiffness of the system, or environmental conditions. When no measurable movement, separation, looseness, or loss of performance is present, hollow sound alone does not establish a manufacturing defect, installation failure, bond loss, or structural issue. Evaluation focuses on

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