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Comparison

Here is our guide to help you decide between gluedown and click installation LVT vinyl flooring, and which is best for you.

Written by: Will Woolley

Published on: July 30, 2020

Gluedown LVT Vs Click LVT | Which Luxury Vinyl Flooring Is Best?

When you are searching for a new luxury vinyl floor, you will find you can choose from two installation methods. These include Gluedown and click installation.

While it may seem like a small detail, the type you choose can make a big difference to the ease and cost of installation. So, what are the differences between the two and how can you decide which one is right for you?

What is Gluedown LVT?

Glue-down LVT tends to have a slight thinner design. It needs to be glued down during installation in order to provide a more stable, long-lasting floor. You will need to ensure the subfloor you are installing it onto, is flat and even. If there are any imperfections in the subfloor, it is going to show in your new LVT floor. Similarly, you’ll need to ensure the subfloor isn’t prone to moisture before you glue the tiles down.

Glue-down LVT flooring installation

As each tile will need to be glued down, it can take a lot longer to install this type of luxury vinyl. It can also be more difficult to do it yourself, with many homeowners choosing to hire a professional to fit it for them.

What are the Benefits of Gluedown LVT?

  • More affordable than click LVT
  • Increased stability
  • Less likely to be affected by changes in moisture and temperature
  • More durable in heavy traffic areas

Although LVT flooring isn’t typically impacted by changes in moisture and temperature like wooden flooring, it can still pose some problems for the floor.

Glue-down LVT installed in a bathroom

So, if you’re planning on installing in high-moisture areas, Gluedown is generally the better option.

What is Click LVT?

While it features the same type of layered construction as Gluedown, click LVT flooring does have some differences. As it needs to incorporate a click system, you’ll find these types of floors are generally thicker than the Gluedown varieties. However, this doesn’t necessarily make them more durable. The wear layer included is typically the same for both click and Gluedown LVT.

Click-fit LVT flooring being installed

The installation process is made easy thanks to the click system included. Different brands have their own click systems and they enable you to just click the tiles into place. This means you can usually fit the floor yourself rather than pay professionals to do it for you. Rather than fitting it right on top of the subfloor, it’s common to use underlay with click LVT. This boosts the comfort of the floor, as well as reducing the amount of work you need to carry out on the subfloor.

What are the Benefits of Click LVT?

  • Fast and easy to install
  • Thicker design making them feel like wooden flooring
  • More comfortable underfoot

The fast and easy installation process is one of the key benefits of this style of flooring. It means you can do it yourself, saving a fortune on installation.

Which is Better, Glue-down LVT or Click LVT?

So, which type of LVT is right for you? It’s important to consider where you’ll be installing the floor. In high-traffic, large rooms, Gluedown LVT tends to work better. It isn’t going to move and it’s much more stable making it safer in high-traffic areas.

LVT flooring installed in a bathroom by Stories Flooring

In terms of appearance, both look equally as beautiful. The click LVT does have a more realistic wooden feel, but in terms of design there are no significant differences. The main considerations you’ll need to make are budget and installation. If you want to save the most money, opting for Glue-down LVT would be better. However, for fast and easy installation, click LVT cannot be beaten.

Further Reading

Discover more about what LVT flooring is here.
Browse our great range of luxury vinyl flooring here.
We have a choice of Glue-down LVT here.
We also have a large selection of click LVT on offer here.

About The Author

Will Woolley

Will Woolley is head of technical SEO at storiesflooring.co.uk, a UK-based technical SEO specialist and winner of the 2022 Queens Award. Woolley works with and oversees a team of web developers, content creators and product administrators to drive online sales for Stories Flooring through all channels of online platforms.