There are two types of resilient vinyl floor tiles installed using an adhesive: those that glue down with a separate adhesive and then applied to the floor with a notched trowel, and those that are pre-applied with an adhesive agent and covered with peelable backing.
Glued vinyl tiles have many advantages.
Maybe that's why they've been so popular for decades.
They can be the perfect addition to any high traffic area of your home that needs waterproofing, such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or kitchens.
Of course, with today's technology, vinyl tile isn't something you remember from your parent’s house.
Perhaps that is why there is growing interest in this viable flooring option. However, once you decide to install vinyl flooring, you can quickly become confused about the best way to install it.
One of the reasons homeowners choose vinyl tile is that it's great for DIY projects. But once you've narrowed down your options, you'll also need to decide on the best way to mount: floating or glued.
The reasons why both are still on the market should tell you that there are benefits to both. It is imperative to carefully consider your alternatives before making a final decision.
Let's first discuss stickiness vs flutter Before weighing your options and making a decision, it's important to understand what each product is made of.
Bonding is considered a permanent floor.
Because it bonds directly to the subfloor, it adds strength to increase resistance to scratches, bumps, and spills.
Permanent means you don't replace it regularly and focus on longevity rather than ease of replacement.
Floating vinyl planks are laid over the subfloor.
They usually have a click-lock system, which makes it easy for DIYers to install the floor on weekends.
Glued vinyl tiles are easy to replace. Just peel off one tile and put on a new one. Or live parts easily at once.
Although floating tiles are easy to replace, they require more work due to the click system.
The adhesive can be used in any room where high flow and waterproofing are the norm.
This makes glue-down vinyl very useful in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways.
It works well no matter the size of the room.
Floating tiles work the same way, however, they don't work as well in larger rooms.
You will get better glue results over time.
The cost of gluing is also more economical than floating tiles in most cases.
Install the tiles.
The third type of adhesive-free vinyl tile, commonly referred to as luxury vinyl (LVT), is a floating floor in which the pieces interlock with an improved tongue-and-groove edge system.
Compared to luxury peel and stick and floating vinyl, both of which are touted for their ease of installation, the "release adhesive" type can seem intimidating and difficult.
Glue down vinyl flooring is not difficult to install and it has some advantages over the other two types.
Although vinyl floor tiles have their advantages, sheet vinyl is generally preferred because it has no seams through which water can enter the underlayment.