Vinyl flooring is a go-to for many property owners, not only for all property types shapes and sizes, but all room types within a property, too. 

In addition to being durable and cost-effective, vinyl flooring is available in a huge variety of colours, designs and styles, meaning there’s a best-match out there for everyone!

At Floor Giants, we offer an extensive range of vinyl flooring varieties. In this guide, we’ll explore two of the most popular vinyl flooring options: glue down vinyl and click down vinyl. 

Keep reading to find out more about each type, their differences, and their most effective use cases.

What is glue down vinyl flooring?

Glue down vinyl flooring or dryback LVT is a type of vinyl flooring, consisting of individual planks or tiles, which are installed onto the subfloor bit by bit, using a suitable adhesive.

› See our range of glue down vinyl

What is click down vinyl flooring?

Click down vinyl flooring (also commonly known as click-lock or floating vinyl) also consists of individual planks or tiles, but each of these feature a simple in-built locking mechanism. Rigid options such as SPC luxury vinyl flooring are a popular choice within this category due to their added stability and strength. Typically, this consists of a lipped and indented design, which allows two pieces to fit together and then click in place.

› See our range of click down vinyl

As such, with click down vinyl flooring, users can fit the planks or tiles together and lock them in place, without requiring glue or nails. This makes the installation process notably quick and easy, and makes it easier for DIY installers to achieve a seamless finish.

The benefits of glue down vinyl flooring:

  • Ensures a permanent, stable fit is achieved 
  • Extremely durable and secure, making it a great choice for high-traffic areas such as entrances and corridors, where hallway luxury vinyl flooring needs to withstand constant footfall.
  • Very compatible with underfloor heating.
  • Achieves a lower-profile finish (making it a better fit for areas where there will be a flooring transition)
  • Available in a wider variety of designs and styles, including a  broader range of luxury options

The benefits of click down vinyl flooring:

  • Achieves a secure fit, thanks to its innovative interlocking system
  • Very DIY-friendly  
  • Quick and easy to install
  • Ideal as a non-permanent renovation option 
  • Can be laid over existing floors (so long as the floor’s surface is even)
  • Options available that feature a built-in underlay, to further increase comfort 

What is each flooring type best for?

Glue down vinyl flooring:

  • High-traffic areas (e.g. kitchens or hallways), where flooring such as kitchen luxury vinyl is often preferred for its durability, stability and resistance to everyday spills.
  • Areas where the highest levels of stability and durability are required (e.g. commercial spaces)
  • Large, open-plan spaces (where expansion gaps would be more obvious)
  • Permanent renovation projects, which prioritise durability and longevity over design flexibility

Click down vinyl flooring:

  • DIY projects 
  • Renovations that need to set speed and ease as top priorities 
  • Rooms that have level subfloors
  • Temporary spaces, or areas that will need to be re-renovated in the future (e.g. rental properties)

Final things to consider

As you debate your options, here are some final points to bear in mind: 

  • The condition of your subfloor - Glue down vinyl can only be installed on subfloors that are completely smooth. While click down vinyl still requires the subfloor to be even, it offers greater flexibility here. 
  • Your installation skills and experience - If you have never attempted vinyl flooring installation before, then you are best either opting for click down vinyl, or enlisting a professional to install glue down vinyl for you.
  • The duration of your planned use - If you plan on keeping this floor in place for the foreseeable future, then glue down vinyl ensures durability and stability. However, if design flexibility is important to you, then click down ensures easy replacement whenever you need.

At Floor Giants, we offer a wide variety of vinyl flooring designs, including both glue down vinyl and click down vinyl in a huge range of styles and colours. 

To find the perfect vinyl flooring product for your renovation, explore our range on our website, or find your nearest store.