Glue Down Vs Floating Flooring Installations

When it comes to selecting the perfect flooring for your home, the installation and application process is equally as important as style and design. The success of your next flooring renovation project or home upgrade can solely depend on the installation method chosen. Based on the application, choosing the incorrect installation method can have a huge impact on the longevity and integrity of your floor type, especially Luxury Vinyl.

So if you’re going to spend thousands of dollars on a new floor type, it’s best you get it right. There are two methods of installation when it comes to Luxury Vinyl Tiles / Planks: Glue Down and Floating. Each method has its own set of benefits making it a more suitable method for certain industries, environments and your overall approach to your project.

What is Glue Down Vinyl Installation?

This method of installation involves using adhesives to glue down the dry-back luxury vinyl to its base. Using this method allows for greater dimensional stability to ensure the flooring maintains its natural qualities. Glue down installation uses two types of adhesives:

Hard set: To give you a better idea, think of the adhesives used when installing broadloom carpet. An adhesive is applied along the subfloor to hold the vinyl flooring firmly in place. Most suitable applications include healthcare facilities and retail spaces, which experience heavy foot traffic, wheelchairs and shopping trolleys. Its main benefit is being able to absorb heavy point loads sustained from furniture and fixtures, without leaving behind and indent.

Pressure-sensitive: This type of adhesive is more commonly used for its versatility and the fact that it’s much easier to replace. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are most suitable for retail and hospitality spaces, where there tends to be a frequent change of flooring in shop fit-outs.

What is Floating Vinyl Installation?

There are two types of floating vinyl installations: loose lay vinyl and click vinyl flooring. The term ‘floating’ is derived from the fact that this type of flooring requires little to no adhesives and can be either installed directly over the subfloor or using a cushion barrier system.

Despite being the go-to installation method 10-15 years ago, it still remains as one of the most popular methods of vinyl installation.

Loose lay vinyl: As the name suggests, loose lay vinyl is simply installed over the top of a subfloor. This floating flooring option is great for those who are looking for a quick install with a beautiful finish. Installation steps may vary between products, manufacturers and installer, but will typically involve planks/tiles glued down around the perimeter first before the rest is then laid loosely.

Click vinyl: Has become extremely popular in both commercial and residential areas for being easy to install. Simply click and snap vinyl planks or tiles into place using a click-lock system which has been integrated into the flooring product.