Are you thinking of laying down some vinyl flooring? If so, you might be wondering how you do this and what sort of adhesive you should use. It’s really important to get this right if you want to create a flat, smooth, even surface that will be comfortable to walk on and that will last for years. Using the wrong adhesive could lead to all sorts of problems.
Vinyl flooring tends to be stuck down to stop it from slipping around when it gets walked on, but that means the glue needs to tick a lot of boxes. You need to use the right adhesive if you want the floor to last well, so don’t just use whatever you have to hand – purchase a proper adhesive intended for the purpose.
What glue do you use on vinyl flooring? The glue for vinyl flooring needs to be both heat and moisture resistant, so it won’t peel off if the floor gets too warm or too wet. Spray adhesives tend to be the easiest to apply, and they create a smooth finish that makes it much easier to lay the tiles. This forms a strong bond between the subfloor and the vinyl, ensuring that the floor lasts well.
What Sort of Glue Should You Choose When Laying Vinyl?
There are quite a lot of options when selecting a glue for your vinyl flooring, but cyanoacrylates are generally the best. They set fast and create an extremely strong bond. They are often referred to as superglue. If that doesn’t appeal, you can use epoxy, silicone, or polyurethane glues.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each. As mentioned, cyanoacrylates tend to be the top choice for gluing vinyl flooring, because of their ability to form a strong bond. This will help to ensure that the floor holds up to years and years of use. It will prevent the vinyl from shifting as it is walked on, decreasing stress on the tiles or planks.
Epoxy glues are another good option, but you need to buy two parts and mix them together, so the application is somewhat more complicated. The bond the two parts form is immensely strong, but not very flexible, so you should only use this for rigid vinyl flooring. Epoxy tends to be widely available and easy to buy.
Silicone glue should only be used with rigid vinyl flooring. It will not create a strong bond with any flexible vinyl, so avoid using it if you are laying flexible tiles. For plank flooring, it should work, but it may not be as powerful or as suitable as some of the other options on this list.
Polyurethane is much better for flexible vinyl, but you will need to abrade the surface first.
Many people say that the thing you should pay the most attention to when selecting your glue is how versatile it is. Versatile glues are more likely to create a strong bond with the different vinyl options, so try to choose multi-use glues that will work on many different surfaces and in many different situations.
Why Does the Glue Matter?
It’s important to use the right kind of glue when fixing down vinyl flooring because this is what holds the tiles still and ensures that you have a firm, stable surface to walk on. If you don’t use the right glue, there is a risk that the tiles will shift around as you walk on them, and this will put them under stress.
The installation of a floor can have a surprisingly big impact on its lifespan, which is why you should pay attention to this and only install vinyl flooring yourself if you know what you are doing. Using the wrong kind of adhesive or failing to use adhesive will likely result in your floor seizing up, buckling, warping, or otherwise shifting around as it is used.
It’s worth noting that although you should generally glue down vinyl planks to prevent them from moving and breaking, in small rooms, you may not need to. The locking system might be enough to keep the planks in place without adhesive being necessary.
Can You Use Water-based Glue?
You can use water-based glue for vinyl floors, but you should be aware that if the floor gets wet, it is far more likely to de-bond than glues with other bases. Water-based glues are great for easy cleanup and they usually contain fewer chemicals, but they can be problematic in damp environments.
Most people therefore avoid water-based glues when laying vinyl, because they may not hold up well, especially in rooms like bathrooms and kitchens.
Can You Use Gorilla Glue?
Gorilla Glue isn’t generally recommended for fitting vinyl floors. The manufacturer says that it is best for use on wood, stone, ceramic, metal, glass, and foam, rather than plastics. Vinyl doesn’t stick well when you use Gorilla Glue.
Additionally, because Gorilla Glue is often quite thick, it may cause bumps and lumps to appear in the flooring. Using a thin or a spray adhesive will create a flatter surface.
Can You Use Superglue?
Superglue is ideal for vinyl floors, but bear in mind that it tends to come in small quantities. This can make it hard to apply, and potentially pretty expensive. However, for small repairs or very small rooms, superglue could be a good option. It creates a strong bond, it is quick drying, and it is easy to apply.
How Long Does the Glue Take to Dry?
Most glues will take between 12 and 24 hours to completely dry, and you should avoid walking on the vinyl until then. It’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s directions, as different kinds of glue can vary. Don’t put furniture in the room for at least 24 hours after the flooring has been laid.
Final Thoughts
There are many different kinds of glue that will work on vinyl floors, but it’s generally best to look for a cyanoacrylate glue. This will create the strongest bond and will be resistant to both heat and moisture. Always check the glue’s suitability before applying it to vinyl.
