22 February 2022
Glue down vs click system flooring products
When it comes to choosing your new flooring, there’s a lot to consider – material, colour, design, cost. But one thing that often gets overlooked is the installation method.
And when it comes to LVT in particular, you’ll quickly notice a range of options available – glue down, dry back, click, floating, rigid core, loose-lay and so on.
So what do all these phrases mean, and which are the best products for you?
Well, although there are several options as listed above, most flooring products fall into one of two categories: those that require adhesive and those that don’t.
Glue down flooring is exactly what it sounds like – flooring sheets, planks or tiles that are glued down to the subfloor. You may also hear glue down flooring referred to as stick down or dry back.
The alternative to glue down products is click flooring, also referred to as floating flooring or loose-lay. This type of flooring usually has a click and lock, or tongue and groove system that allows planks to be fitted together.
To glue or not to glue?
So now we’ve cleared up the difference in the types of installation, let’s take a look at which is right for you.
Type of material
The first consideration is the type of flooring you’re looking at. For example, if you’ve got your heart set on solid wood, then you should absolutely opt for glue down.
Solid wood is highly susceptible to movement when exposed to certain temperatures and humidity. The glue down method ensures it stays in place. Glue down is always recommended for solid wood or parquet flooring.
Engineered wood, on the other hand, is a real wood top layer (usually 3-6mm) with a plywood substrate, and is available as glue down or click, and there are advantages to both.
Condition of the subfloor
As we’ve outlined above, glue down flooring needs to be glued to the subfloor. This means the condition of the subfloor is important.
Although it’s possible to install many glue down products on any type of floor, some floors lend themselves better to floating flooring.
If you’re covering a floor that is uneven, then you’ll probably find click flooring products more suitable. However, it is always best to check with the manufacturer. There is a limit as to how much a flooring can withstand before failing. Glue down is an option, but you’ll need to spend more time prepping the floor, which can add to the cost.
Stability
Glue down flooring is quite literally glued down, so it does provide more stability. By applying the glue down method to LVT flooring, you avoid gaps between the floor and subfloor, which can cause the covering to bounce in places – or worse, to echo or creak underfoot.
Most glue down products are designed to last for decades, so they are a great investment. But if you’re looking for something a little less permanent or like to redecorate regularly, you might prefer click flooring as it is cheaper to install.
Convenience
One of the biggest factors when choosing which product to go for is the room itself and the amount of disruption you want to cause. You need to consider that any click system floating floor will require an expansion gap around the perimeter to allow movement. This will require either a skirting board or beading trim – so if you have recently painted your skirting boards, you are unlikely to want to be removing them again.
Glue-down LVT products, on the other hand, do not require this which allows you to install a glue-down floor around an existing space, such as a kitchen or bathroom. A glue-down wood product, will still require an expansion gap.
DIY or leave it to the pros?
Click and lock flooring is designed for easy installation, so it’s the better option if you’re going down the DIY route.
Glue down flooring requires a little more skill. Choosing the right adhesive and preparing the subfloor is vital to ensuring the success of your flooring installation. We absolutely recommend hiring an experienced flooring specialist to install glue down flooring. They’ll ensure a quality finish.
Cost
As with most things, flooring products range in price from the cheap and cheerful to the more luxurious and eye-watering price tags.
The cost of your flooring will depend on the type of flooring you choose, but although click products tend to be slightly more expensive on the face of it, in comparison to glue down products, they are much cheaper to install so the overall project cost is likely to be less.
If you’re going down the DIY route, you’ll need to consider the costs of any tools and adhesives as well as any screed required to prep your subfloor.
If you’re getting your floor professionally installed, you’ll have to factor in the cost of installation, but you’ll have peace of mind that it will be correctly fitted and finished. A bad DIY job could end up costing far more in the long run.
A quick guide to flooring types
Cushioned Vinyl
Cushioned vinyl are cost-effective solutions and provide plenty of options. Also known as sheet vinyl it is generally cheaper than LVT but is just as difficult to install if you’re not a flooring pro.
Standard vinyl products have similar installation methods and don’t vary much in cost. Vinyl is generally more water-resistant than laminate, making it a better choice for bathrooms.
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
If you want a natural wood or stone appearance without the cost, LVT is the way to go. While there are some fantastic cushioned vinyl and laminate designs, LVT looks far more realistic and, as the name would suggest, is more luxurious.
There are plenty of LVT options in both glue down and click, and LVT looks great in any room. LVT is moisture resistant, easy to clean and maintain, and incredibly durable, making it a great investment.
Laminate
Laminate flooring is a highly popular choice of flooring with a realistic photographic image of wood on a compressed fibreboard plank (although stone and tile effect options are available). Because all laminate products are click systems it means that they are very easy to install as no subfloor preparation is required (though you will need to lay underlay beneath laminate flooring). Although laminate is a cost-effective option, it won’t look or feel exactly like the real thing.
Solid Wood
One of the most expensive flooring options but well worth the investment if you want something that lasts. Although installation of solid wood or parquet is more laborious than other types of flooring, the finished result is well worth the time and effort.
As mentioned above, the glue down method is really the only installation method recommended for solid wood flooring. Once it’s down, it will last a lifetime and can be sanded and treated over the years to keep it looking its best.
Choosing the right product
There’s a lot to consider when choosing your new floor, and it can feel like an absolute minefield.
Even if you narrow your search to just LVT, you’ll still find a vast range of suppliers and manufacturers to choose from. And, as with most products, the quality can range from one manufacturer to another.
Although hundreds of lesser-known brands offer excellent products, there’s always a risk you could get caught out. So if you’re new to the world of flooring, we recommend choosing a reputable flooring brand such as Karndean.
If you are unsure, it’s worth speaking to a flooring specialist, like Beyond Flooring, who can provide expert advice on which type of flooring will be the best for your space.
Once you have chosen your new floor, we recommend opting for professional installation. While many products have been designed to be DIY friendly, you won’t be covered if things don’t go to plan. And if you’ve paid good money for top-quality flooring, you want to make sure it looks great once it’s in place.
Need a little inspiration or advice?
There are hundreds of flooring manufacturers, suppliers and installers, so it can be hard to know where to turn.
At Beyond Flooring, our mission is to enhance your home or business with expertly fitted flooring. We only use quality products, and we offer a two year warranty on all domestic projects.
Not only can we help you select the right products for your space, we can take care of installing your product to the highest standards.
If you need a little inspiration, check out our customer gallery, or visit our showroom. Our friendly team are always happy to help you select the perfect flooring for your home.
