When you’re searching for a new luxury vinyl floor, you’ll 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’s the difference between the two and how can you decide which one is right for you?

What is Gluedown LVT?
Gluedown 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’ll need to ensure the subfloor you’re installing it onto, is flat and even. If there are any imperfections in the subfloor, it’s 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.

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.

The key benefits of Gluedown LVT include:

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. 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.

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.

The main benefits of click LVT include:

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.

The difference of Gluedown LVT and click LVT:
1. Cost:
Gluedown LVT is more affordable than click LVT
2. Installation:
LVT click is fast and easy to install
3. Gluedown LVT is more durable in heavy traffic areas, while click LVT has more comfortable underfoot.

Which one is right for you?

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.

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 Gluedown LVT would be better. However, for fast and easy installation, click LVT cannot be beaten.