Floating vs Glue down Vinyl Flooring: Which is the best?

Are you planning to install vinyl flooring but are confused about which type to choose? Vinyl flooring has become a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, water resistance, and affordability. 

However, with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to decide between floating and glue-down vinyl flooring. 

In this blog post, we’ll dive into the pros and cons of these two vinyl flooring options and help you make an informed decision on which one is best suited for your home. So let’s get started!

What is floating vinyl flooring?

Floating vinyl flooring is a type of vinyl plank or tile that does not require any adhesive to install. Instead, the flooring system uses an interlocking mechanism that allows the planks or tiles to lock with each other and “float” above the subfloor.

This means that they are not directly attached to the subfloor but instead rest on top of it.

Every vinyl plank is clicked and fitted to another in a way that the seams are quite invisible and all the planks together look like one single piece after.

What is glue down vinyl flooring?

Glue down vinyl flooring is a type of vinyl flooring that requires adhesive to be applied on the subfloor before laying down the vinyl planks or tiles. This method ensures that the flooring stays firmly in place and does not move or shift over time.

Generally, an adhesive is applied and the vinyl planks are placed over and a steel roller is made to roll over the plank to stick it better and make it stay strong and durable.

The planks are basically lined up next to each other and every plank is glued together to the subfloor. You might need professional guidance for this installation method.

The Pros and Cons of Floating Vinyl Flooring

Floating vinyl flooring is a popular choice for homeowners due to its easy installation and versatility.

Advantages of Floating Vinyl Flooring

• Installation options – It can be installed over any existing floors, including tile, wood, or even concrete. Additionally, this type of flooring comes in a variety of designs and colors to fit any style preference.

• DIY – The installation process is pretty much a do-it-yourself thing and in most cases doesn’t involve the need for any professional help and can easily be done by you. But you need to make sure the planks click together seamlessly.

• Easy Installation – Unlike glue down vinyl flooring, which requires precise placement and careful application of adhesive, floating floors can be installed quickly and easily by snapping together each piece like a jigsaw puzzle.

Disadvantages of Floating Vinyl Flooring

• Noise – Since these floors aren’t attached directly to the subfloor, they may produce more noise when walked on than glued-down options.

• Less stable – Since this type of flooring sits above ground level rather than being fixed in place with adhesive or nails, it may feel less stable underfoot compared to other types of hard surface flooring materials such as ceramic tile or hardwoods

• Less Waterproof – If the click-together planks are not fitted rightly, water can easily seep in between the planks and can get trapped under the planks and can also eventually damage the entire floor as well as the subfloor.

• Less Durable – Compared to glue down planks, the click-through planks are quite weak and can eventually come apart over time due to various factors including age, dirt, exposure to sunlight, expansion or contraction due to temperature fluctuations, or the home settling.

• Repair – Repariging is going to be hard with floating floors. In floating floors, since every piece gets attached to every other piece, having to remove any particular plank and getting it replaced with another can be a real headache.

Though there are many pros that outweigh the cons when choosing floating vinyl floors as an option – particularly their affordability coupled with their performance making them perfect for families who want something practical alongside being stylish too!

The Pros and Cons of Glue Down Vinyl Flooring

Glue down vinyl flooring is a popular choice when it comes to installing new floors.

Advantages of Glue Down Vinyl Flooring

• Waterproof – This makes them ideal for use in areas where moisture may be present such as bathrooms or kitchens since water won’t seep through gaps between the planks.

• Seamless – It provides a seamless look. The planks or tiles are installed tightly together with no gaps, resulting in a smooth surface that looks like one continuous piece.

• Durable – One advantage of glue down vinyl flooring is its durability. Because it is securely glued to the subfloor, this type of flooring can withstand heavy foot traffic without showing signs of wear and tear for many years.

• No noise – This type of flooring provides excellent noise reduction properties, making it ideal for use in apartments or multi-level homes.

Disadvantages of Glue Down Vinyl Flooring

• Need professional help – Its installation process requires professional help due to the use of adhesives needed for installation.

• Repair – Removing glue-down floors can be challenging because they involve labor-intensive tasks including grinding off the old adhesive residue from your concrete slab

• Leveled subfloor – You need to make sure your subfloor is perfectly smooth, leveled, and perfect. If not then the planks will not be perfectly leveled and gaps and bumps can arise between the planks making the seams predominant and can easily create gaps between seams. This can spoil the entire flooring on the whole. But if the subfloor is leveled smoothly and the planks are installed using strong adhesives, then this can prove to be 100% waterproof.

Though there are many pros that outweigh the cons when choosing glue down vinyl floors as an option their durability with longevity makes them a suitable, affordable, and quality long lasting flooring option.

How to Choose the Right Type of Vinyl Flooring for Your Home

Choosing the right type of vinyl flooring for your home can be a daunting task with so many options available in the market. To make an informed decision, consider these factors:

• Environment – Think about the room where you want to install vinyl flooring. For example, bathrooms require waterproof and slip-resistant flooring whereas high-traffic areas like hallways need durable and scratch-resistant floors.

• Installation Method – Decide on the installation method that suits your preference and budget. Floating vinyl floors are easy to install but may not offer as much stability as glue-down vinyl floors which require professional installation.

• Lifestyle – Consider your lifestyle needs. Pets or children may cause damage to certain types of vinyl flooring over time so it’s important to choose a resilient option that can withstand wear and tear.

By taking these factors into consideration when choosing between floating vs glue down vinyl flooring options you will ensure that you select the best option for your specific needs.

Conclusion

After weighing the pros and cons of both floating vinyl flooring and glue down vinyl flooring, it’s clear that each type has its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

When choosing between floating vs glue down vinyl flooring for your home, consider your needs as well as factors such as budget and room usage. Ultimately, either option can provide a beautiful and durable floor for your space.

In summary, take time to research different types of vinyl floors carefully before committing yourself since installing this type of floor covering involves considerable investment in terms of money & effort putting them up or taking them off again later on – so make sure you’re confident about what you want before starting any project!