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Glue or click vinyl flooring? This question arises for almost anyone planning a designer floor – in new builds, during renovations in old buildings, or in commercial spaces. Both installation methods have their merits: glue-down vinyl is bonded to the subfloor across the entire surface, while click vinyl is installed as a floating floor and locked together via a mechanical profile. Which variant is better depends less on taste than on the subfloor, room usage, underfloor heating, and available installation height. In this guide, we will show you the differences in an objective and practical way – using our vinyl design floors as an example.
A quick guide to help you decide
- Choose glue-down vinyl if the installation height is limited, the floor is subject to heavy wear (e.g., shops, medical practices, offices, hallways), or you want large, seamless surfaces without expansion joints.
- Choose click vinyl if you want to install it yourself, if the floor needs to be ready for use quickly, and if it is important that it can be removed later without leaving adhesive residue.
- SPC click vinyl with a rigid core is the robust click variant if you want dimensional stability and integrated impact sound insulation in one product.
- Both variants are suitable for underfloor heating – when glued, the covering lies directly on the screed; when floating, an additional layer of material is added.
- Unsure? Order samples and compare the look and feel on-site – the samples are free; you only pay the shipping costs.
What does "glue-down" and "click" vinyl flooring mean?
Glue-down vinyl: fully bonded to the subfloor
Glue-down vinyl—also known as glue-down planks or dryback—is a thin, elastic covering that is glued across the entire surface to a prepared subfloor using a design floor adhesive. Our Traffic glue-down plank 2.5 mm has a 0.55 mm wear layer, utility class 33/42, a 5-layer fiber-reinforced structure, and is suitable for hot-water underfloor heating. Due to the firm bond with the subfloor, the covering barely "moves," walking noise remains low, and the floor feels very quiet.
Click vinyl: floating installation, without glue
Click vinyl is thicker and features a click profile on the edges. The planks are locked into one another and lie floating on the subfloor—meaning they are not permanently bonded. Our Traffic Click 5.0 mm uses the Unilin click system, also features a 0.55 mm wear layer and utility class 33/42, as well as a 7-layer glass fiber-reinforced structure.
SPC vinyl: click vinyl with a rigid core
SPC vinyl (Stone Plastic Composite) is a click variant with a mineral-filled, rigid support core. Our Traffic SPC Click 6.5 mm comes with integrated IXPE impact sound insulation, while the Home SPC Click 4.4 mm series includes integrated EVA insulation (wear layer 0.30 mm, utility class 23/31) – an option for living areas with normal to high traffic.
Glue-down or click vinyl flooring: a comparison table
| Criterion | Glue-down vinyl (Traffic plank 2.5 mm) | Click vinyl (Traffic Click 5.0 mm) | SPC Click (Traffic 6.5 mm / Home 4.4 mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Installation | fully bonded | floating, Unilin-Click | floating, click system |
| Covering thickness | 2.5 mm | 5.0 mm | 6.5 mm or 4.4 mm |
| Impact sound insulation | not required (bonded) | separate underlay depending on subfloor, see installation instructions | integrated (IXPE or EVA) |
| Subfloor requirements | very high – level, smooth, absorbent, dry | high – level and load-bearing | high – the rigid core bridges small uneven spots slightly better |
| Underfloor heating (water) | suitable | suitable | suitable |
| Utility class | 33/42 | 33/42 | 33/42 (Traffic) or 23/31 (Home) |
| Self-installation | preferably by a specialist | easily achievable | easily achievable |
| Removal | complex, adhesive residue | simple | simple |
Subfloor: the most important point in the decision
A thin glue-down covering will highlight almost any unevenness. Smoothing ridges, tile joints, or small holes will later be visible as impressions. Therefore, the following applies when installing glue-down vinyl: the subfloor must be level, clean, firm, dry, and – for dispersion adhesives – absorbent. In practice, this usually means priming and full-surface leveling. The residual moisture of the screed should be measured before installation; permissible values can be found in the manufacturer's specifications for the covering and adhesive.
Click vinyl is more tolerant but not undemanding: here too, unevenness must remain within the limits defined in the installation instructions, otherwise, the click joints may be permanently stressed. With SPC, the rigid core offers some leveling – however, it does not replace the need for managing larger height differences.
Installing glue-down vinyl on tiles?
A common search query is "glue-down vinyl on tiles." In principle, this is possible if the tiles are firmly in place. However, the joints must be filled because they would otherwise show through the thin covering. Glazed tiles are not absorbent – here, a suitable system setup involving a primer and leveling compound is necessary so that a dispersion adhesive such as the Bona D750 wet-bed adhesive can adhere securely (according to the manufacturer, the D750 is intended for absorbent subfloors). Click vinyl is often the less complicated solution on tiles, provided the joints are not too wide and deep.
Glue-down or floating vinyl flooring on underfloor heating?
All mentioned Gunreben vinyl floors are suitable for hot-water underfloor heating. The difference lies in the structure: when glued, the thin covering lies directly on the heating screed without an additional insulation layer. With floating installation, the click plank and, if necessary, impact sound insulation are added, which slightly increases the thermal resistance. In practice, both variants work well if the manufacturer's requirements for the underlay and surface temperature are met. If you want the most direct heat transfer possible, the glued covering has an advantage. Important in both cases: the heating screed must be professionally heated and ready for installation before the flooring is laid. You can find more on the topic of heating screed in our article Parquet and underfloor heating – many general rules also apply to design coverings.
Installation height: why glue-down vinyl scores points in renovations
Especially in old buildings or during renovations, every millimeter counts: doors, transitions to tiles, or stair edges limit the possible installation height. At 2.5 mm, the glue-down plank is significantly thinner than click vinyl at 5.0 mm (plus any underlay) or SPC at 6.5 mm. If you do not want to shorten doors or are planning seamless transitions to adjacent coverings, glue-down vinyl is often the first choice.
Load, commercial use, and large areas
For shops, practices, offices, or stairwells, full-surface bonding is the standard for commercial areas. The covering cannot move, rolling loads like office chairs or carts are better absorbed, and large areas can usually be installed without expansion joints in doorways. Floating floors, on the other hand, require movement joints depending on the area and room geometry – the exact requirements are in the respective installation instructions. Heavy fixtures like kitchen units should not stand on the floor in the case of floating installations; instead, they should be installed first and the floor laid around them. For commercial projects and larger quantities, we would be happy to advise you via our commercial contact.
Floating installation of click vinyl: advantages for DIY enthusiasts
Click vinyl is the obvious choice if you want to install it yourself. You don't need glue, no curing times, and you can walk on the floor immediately after installation. A utility knife, pull bar, tapping block, and spacers are usually sufficient. Another advantage: for rental apartments or rooms that you may want to redesign later, the floor can be removed without leaving adhesive residue. Matching vinyl skirting boards in a matching decor cover the edge gaps.
For Traffic Click 5.0 mm without integrated insulation, we offer the vinyl underlay 1.5 mm (latex/mineral, impact sound improvement 18 dB according to the manufacturer). Please refer to the installation instructions of the respective floor for information on whether and which underlay is permitted. You can find an overview under underlays.
Installing glue-down vinyl: what you need
- Primer and leveling compound for a level, absorbent subfloor
- Design floor adhesive, e.g., the solvent-free, EC1-certified Bona D750
- the matching notched trowel, such as the G² notched trowel tooth size no. 2 (check tooth size according to adhesive specifications)
- Pressure roller, utility knife, measuring tool
Everything else can be found in the vinyl accessories section. Those with little experience in leveling and gluing should leave the installation to a flooring contractor – the quality of the subfloor determines the final result.
Glue-down or click vinyl flooring – practical experiences
In forums and user reports, a clear pattern emerges: dissatisfaction rarely arises from the installation method itself, but rather from an inadequately prepared subfloor, missing edge gaps in floating installations, or furniture that is too heavy for floating surfaces. Anyone who takes the subfloor seriously and follows the installation instructions will be satisfied with both variants. Similar considerations also apply to wooden floors – see our article Installing parquet floating or glued.
Which vinyl floor fits which project?
- Renovation of an old building with low door clearance: Traffic glue-down plank 2.5 mm, fully bonded.
- Shop, practice, office, stairwell: Glue-down plank with utility class 33/42 – installed by a specialist.
- Apartment, self-installation, ready quickly: Traffic Click 5.0 mm or Traffic SPC Click 6.5 mm with integrated insulation.
- Bedroom, children's room, living areas with normal usage: Home SPC Click 4.4 mm, e.g., in Hera decor.
- Rental apartment or temporary solution: Click vinyl, as it can be removed easily without residue.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: glue-down or click vinyl flooring?
Neither variant is fundamentally better. Glue-down vinyl is thinner, feels very quiet underfoot, and is ideal for heavily used or large areas. Click vinyl is installed faster, is easy to do yourself, and is easier to remove.
Must vinyl flooring be glued if underfloor heating is present?
No. Our click and glue-down variants are suitable for hot-water underfloor heating. When glued, the heat is transferred slightly more directly; for floating installations, ensure you use an underlay approved for underfloor heating.
Can I install glue-down vinyl myself?
Yes, if you have experience with leveling and gluing. The most complex part is the subfloor preparation. Mistakes show through clearly with a 2.5 mm covering – when in doubt, it is worth hiring a specialist.
Can vinyl flooring be installed loose or floating without gluing?
Click vinyl and SPC vinyl are designed exactly for this. Glue-down planks, however, must be bonded across the entire surface; loose installation is not intended for these products.
Does click vinyl need impact sound insulation?
That depends on the product. SPC floors like Traffic SPC 6.5 mm and Home SPC 4.4 mm already have the insulation integrated. For click vinyl without insulation, the installation instructions specify which underlay may be used.
Conclusion: subfloor and usage decide
Whether you should glue or click your vinyl floor depends on three factors: the condition of the subfloor, the available installation height, and the usage of the room. Glue-down vinyl is the professional solution for low-profile installations and heavily used areas; click vinyl and SPC are the flexible solution for quick self-installation. Discover all variants in our vinyl design floors, request samples – the sample itself is free; you only pay the shipping costs – or visit our showroom. We are happy to advise you personally.
