Best Glue for Vinyl Flooring
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| ROBERTS 7350-1 1 Gallon Universal Vinyl Flooring Adhesive, Off white | Dap 00141 Multi-Purpose Floor Adhesive, 1-Quart | Henry, WW Company 12098 12098 GAL #430 Vinyl Adhesive | |
| Odorless | Yes | No | No |
| Chemical Hazards | No | Yes | Yes |
| Water-Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Solvent Free | Yes | No | No |
| Cleaning Kings' Choice | Yes | ||
| Read our Review | Read our Review | Read our Review |
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| Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon | Buy on Amazon |
How We Found the Best Glue for Vinyl Flooring
Customer Reviews
Product Testing
Team Experience
Table of Contents - Best Glue for Vinyl Floor
Introduction – Best Glue for Vinyl Plank Flooring
The glue you use for vinyl flooring is different from the glue used when attaching most other types of material. Certain adhesives will not work on vinyl or can damage it, so always be sure to do your research before picking out the glue and putting it onto your floor.
In this article, you will learn about glue for vinyl flooring, what not to use on vinyl flooring, and much more. The Cleaning King Team will also pick the best vinyl floor glue to help you choose the ideal option for your projects. Additionally, we’ll answer some commonly asked questions about vinyl floor glues and their uses.
Buyers Guide – Best Glue for Vinyl Floor
There are many types of glue available, but only a few options actually work well with vinyl floors without damaging them in any way, shape, or form.
Damage can include discoloration as well as causing peeling issues over time if they aren’t applied correctly. You should also know that glue can also have a glue smell for quite some time.
Look for an Odorless Vinyl Floor Glue
When searching for the ideal vinyl floor glue, consider odorless glue. Glue with no glue smell can be a great option if you are sensitive to smells or have:
- Respiratory issues
- Allergies, or
- Asthma.
Glue can trigger symptoms of these conditions in some people due to the smell.
Solvent-Free Vinyl Floor Glues Will Prevent Peeling
Glues for vinyl floors should also not contain solvents because they will cause peeling on vinyl flooring over time. Vinyl is usually made up of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it doesn’t hold very well onto surfaces that use solvent substances.
If possible, try to find glue that has been laboratory tested or certified by an independent testing organization such as ASTM International. This certifies that any claims of product performance have been substantiated through objective testing.
Look for a Water-Resistant Vinyl Floor Glue
The glue you use for your vinyl flooring should also be resistant to water so that it does not peel up when exposed to spills. Water-resistant glue is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms, especially if you have vinyl flooring in those areas.
Be sure to get glue designed specifically for vinyl floors, or it will not work effectively. The glue you choose should be extremely strong, durable, and flexible.
Look for glue that is waterproof so it will not wear away from being exposed to liquids. This is especially important with vinyl floor tiles because they are often in bathrooms where spills happen frequently.
Avoid Glues That List Chemical Hazards on Their Packaging
Another issue with having too many chemicals in adhesive formulas when working with vinyl floors is the fumes. Latex creates fumes that could irritate your eyes and nose, primarily when used indoors in smaller spaces like homes & offices where there aren’t any ventilation systems.
To find the best glue for vinyl floors, make sure there are no chemical hazards listed on the product packaging and check whether or not it is waterproof before buying a glue formula. You may want to purchase glue specifically made for hard surfaces like tile & stone as well as other floor types if you’re unsure of what type will work best with your vinyl floors.
Our Reviews - Best Glue for Vinyl Flooring
Overall Best Glue for Vinyl Floor
Roberts 7350 Vinyl Floor Adhesive Review
One of the best glues that work well with vinyl floors is Roberts 7350-01 Flooring Adhesive, which should be used on wood subfloors prior to laying your floor down. Roberts 7350 is sold on Amazon in a one-gallon container for $33.12.
This glue offers superior adhesion directly onto drywall or plywood substrates as well as concrete slabs without having any issues with staining walls over time, even if there are spills from furniture being moved around above them in between rooms. It will also help reduce squeaks and make it easier to install the planks securely onto the subfloor.
This glue has been tested extensively by manufacturers who use an adhesive tester machine that simulates the real world during installations, such as high traffic areas, glue lines that are less than the recommended thickness of ¼ inch, and high humidity conditions.
Stand-out features include
- This product is a high-quality, high-solids solution created particularly for laying luxury vinyl tiles and planks. A luxury vinyl tile (LVT), luxurious vinyl plank (LVP), solid vinyl tile, rigid core, and wood/stone plastic composite/waterproof core flooring are all suitable for this product.
- Bonds with properly prepared concrete, flooring grade APA rated plywood, steel, marble, terrazzo, existing well-bonded vinyl tile flooring-excluding self-stick, radiant heated subfloors whose surface temperature does not exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Great for carpet tiles and specialty vinyl flooring underlayment.
- For permanent installations (wet-set method) on porous substrates, up to 20 minutes of open time and 40 minutes of working time are possible.
- Solvent-free and LEED compliant
At Cleaning King, we recommend Roberts 7350 Vinyl Floor Adhesive as one of the most reliable and overall best vinyl floor glues on the market today.
Best General Purpose Floor Adhesive
Dap Multi-Purpose Vinyl Floor Adhesive Review
Dap 00141 Vinyl Floor Adhesive is sold on Amazon in a one-quart container for $8.65 or one-gallon containers for $28.61. For bonding a range of floor coverings to a variety of surfaces, use this high-strength, trowel grade, latex-based adhesive.
The formula has greater shrink resistance and allows for simple relocation during installation. Water-resistant. The non-flammable and low-odor non-evaporating solvent that is water clean up is easy.
As the best multi-purpose glue to use when installing vinyl floor covering, this glue has good adhesive properties and is easy to work with. It works well on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, concrete, ceramic tile, glass, and metal.
Stand-out features include
The stand out features of Dap 00141 Vinyl Floor Adhesive include:
- Ideal glue for vinyl flooring
- Trowel grade formula that is high strength and water-resistant
- It quickly dries to a tack-free state in 30 minutes. Can be walked on after one hour.
- Safe for use in homes with children and pets since it has no strong odors or fumes. It does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, nor formaldehyde.
- Can glue down both indoor/outdoor vinyl flooring materials, including sheet vinyl, tiles & laminates.
Dap Multi-Purpose Vinyl Floor Adhesive is the best glue to use when installing all types of vinyl floor covering. Water clean-up is also simple, and glue residue will not leave stains. If you are looking for a glue that provides strong adhesion, we recommend Dap 00141 Vinyl Floor Adhesive as one of the most versatile vinyl floors glues on the market today.
Best Glue for Vinyl Pool Repair
Best Glue for Vinyl Pool Repair
The ultimate brand for professional tile and grout installation, Henry 430 Vinyl Floor Adhesive is a clear water-based adhesive that’s ideal for laying vinyl composition and asphalt floor tiles. The quick-drying thin spread formula Dries clear, making chalk lines easy to see.
Henry 430 Vinyl Floor Glue is sold on Amazon in one-gallon containers for $14.44.
The adhesive forms an excellent grasp quickly, reducing tile slippage during installation while also offering a long working time to allow for the application of large surfaces in one application. Henry 430 Vinyl Floor Adhesive is specially designed with a long working time and rapid bond development.
Some of the stand out features of Henry 430 Vinyl Floor Adhesive include:
- Formulated to provide a long working time
- Thin glue formula allows for easy tile slip during installation
- Dries clear, allowing chalk lines to be easily seen.
- Can reduce unsightly raised tiles and improve overall tile appearance after installation is complete.
- Henry 430 forms a strong bond quickly with no need to wait overnight before grouting your flooring project – saving valuable time in installations that must meet tight deadlines.
- Henry 430 requires less effort to install vinyl tiles, making the glue very user-friendly.
- Henry Company 430 Vinyl Floor Adhesive has been tested from -80°F up to 200°F so it can be used on both indoor and outdoor floors with no issues!
- It can be used on both vinyl and wood subfloors.
The team at Cleaning King highly recommends Henry Company 430 Vinyl Floor Adhesive as one of the best glue options available, making it an excellent choice for any application. The glue’s long working time allows you to apply large tiles without having to worry about slippage or unevenness during installation.
How to glue down vinyl flooring
Gluing a vinyl floor properly is a difficult task, especially if you do not have the right glue. However, glue is not as simple as it seems. There are different types of glue, and they all have specific uses that should be taken into consideration before choosing the best glue for your vinyl flooring project.
Tools Needed to Glue Down Vinyl Flooring
Although there are many ways to install vinyl flooring, most projects can be completed with basic hand tools. Experts recommend scoring the plank with a utility knife and snapping it if you’re trying to figure out how to cut vinyl flooring planks.
Vinyl cutters are also a good choice. Consider a jigsaw or miter saw for more complex cuts. A tapping block and rubber mallet are also useful tools.
If you’re installing glue-down vinyl planks, make sure you have some vinyl floor adhesive and a notched trowel on hand. If your room has a baseboard or molding at the bottom of the wall, pry it away with a pry bar.
Determine and Mark The Center of the Room in Preparation
When learning how to install vinyl plank flooring using a glue-down method, keep in mind that you should start at the room’s center rather than the corners.
After determining the room’s center, make a chalk line and a straightedge line perpendicular to it. Divide your space into four equal quadrants by drawing another line parallel to the first.
Determine the distance from the center point to the wall, perpendicular to the plank’s direction of travel. Divide the result by the plank’s width. If a subsequent plank is required to be shorter than half its length, adjust the center position as needed so that it may be trimmed no more than half its original width.
Apply Your Vinyl Floor Glue
Use a trowel to apply the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive to the subfloor, starting at the center and working outward into the intended region. Allow for some curing time until the glue is tacky but still hazy in color. Allow for no more than 5 minutes of rest time before wiping away any excess adhesive on vinyl plank tops with a dry cloth.
To apply your vinyl floor glue properly, you must first allow for the glue to become tacky but not too dry. This should only take a few minutes, so you will want to be careful not to let it rest too long.
Once the glue is ready, use your trowel and work out from the center of the vinyl plank flooring toward its end. Be sure not to apply glue over more than half of the length at one time, or else it may dry before you are able to finish using glue underneath all tiles in that area.
Place Your Vinyl Flooring Down
Place the first plank, with its short edge aligned with the junction of the two chalk lines, at this point. Continue laying the boards row by row, working along the parallel chalk line and ensuring that each plank’s edges tightly fit against those of the adjacent plank.
If required, cut border planks to size after trimming them to manufacturer-recommended expansion space. Place vinyl flooring glue around the perimeter of your room’s subfloor, including along walls.
After allowing the glue to dry for about 15 minutes, position vinyl flooring on top of the glue and press down firmly until adhesive spreads across the entire surface area. Ensure glue is tacky but still hazy in color before wiping away any excess glue with a clean cloth.
Allow for no more than five minutes rest time before continuing to lay vinyl planks along chalk lines as previously described.
Take Your Time While Laying Flooring
Don’t rush when laying vinyl flooring; instead, take your time so you can make sure it is done correctly. Make sure that there are no air pockets between planks or glue spots underneath them, as well as making certain that joints fit tightly together without any gaps in between.
You will need to allow for some curing time until the glue is tacky but still hazy in color before proceeding with wiping away excess adhesive on vinyl plank tops with a dry cloth. After this step has been completed to satisfaction, you should wait 24 hours after gluing before walking on the new floor.
Roll Vinyl Planks After Placing
Replace the baseboard after you’ve applied the glue down vinyl plank flooring. The planks must be firmly and evenly seated in the adhesive by being rolled with a floor roller. Any adhesive that oozes into the seams between boards should be wiped away or scraped with a knife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are a few frequently asked questions about how to choose the right vinyl floor glue and the process of using it correctly.
Is it Best to Glue Vinyl Flooring?
Gluing vinyl flooring may give you the best adhesive bond, but you must be sure to use glue that is compatible with vinyl flooring.
Many different types of glue are made for use with vinyl floors, but only a few have been shown in studies to provide an ideal bond between adhesive and substrate.
You can find all-purpose glue that works well with a range of surfaces at your local hardware store or home improvement center. However, make sure you purchase one that specifically says it will work on vinyl floors (such as Henry’s Multi-Purpose Floor Adhesive).
Do You Put Anything Under Vinyl Flooring?
A vinyl underlayment is required for any vinyl that is thicker than 4mm. Any vinyl flooring that is less than 4mm should be laid directly over the subfloor. If there are damp spots on your concrete subfloor, you may use a vapor barrier underlayment to keep the planks from sinking into the springs.
Is Glue Down Vinyl Better Than Click?
Vinyl glue down is better than vinyl click. It’s easier to glue your vinyl planks into place rather than clicking them together, and it makes for a smoother, tighter installation that doesn’t creak or click as you walk on the floor.
Glue can also be used with a floating subfloor of real wood if necessary but usually is not recommended. The glue will make replacing individual boards more difficult should they become damaged over time.
Glued vinyl has a smoother surface and doesn’t have any gaps or creaking when walked on because glue reduces movement between boards. Movement is decreased significantly more than other methods like locking them together with plastic connectors, which can still allow for some small amount of play.
What Do You Use to Glue Down Vinyl Flooring?
Vinyl flooring glue is a liquid adhesive used to glue vinyl sheet flooring for installation over concrete or wood subfloors. Glue can be applied with a glue roller or brush and should only be applied where the two halves of vinyl meet, usually along the centerline of each board.
Some other tools needed to glue down vinyl flooring include a tape measure, glue roller or brush, and a notched trowel. The glue needs to be applied when the vinyl is clean and dry in order for it not to absorb dirt or humidity that could lead to the glue joint failing down the road.
A glue roller can be used around edges where two pieces meet, while a brush should only be used on centerlines of boards being laid together. A notched trowel with one side flats and one side grooved works well for applying glue evenly along seams before laying sheets of vinyl flooring over them.
Conclusion – Best Glue for Vinyl Flooring
The best vinyl flooring glues on the market today are the glue for vinyl, the water-based glue, and glue that’s solvent-free. All three types of glue on this list are specifically designed to glue vinyl flooring down.
At Cleaning King, we recommend:
Roberts 7350-1 Flooring Adhesive is the overall best and most reliable glue on the list. Roberts 7350-100 is a glue that’s water-based and has a solvent-free formula. Roberts vinyl floor adhesive can be used on wood subfloors as well as cement surfaces. This vinyl glue for floors also works great for patching seams of old or damaged vinyl tiles before laying new ones over them.
Dap 00141 Multi-Purpose Floor Adhesive is the most versatile vinyl floor glue on the market. Dap Multi-Purpose floor adhesive can be used both indoor and outdoor. Though Dap Multi-Purpose vinyl floor glue has some excellent qualities, it does have some chemical warnings on the packages. Compared to Roberts Vinyl Floor Glue, which is certified as environmentally friendly, the safety aspect of Dap Multi-Purpose adhesive falls short.
Henry Company 430 Vinyl Adhesive is the most affordable vinyl floor glue on the list. Henry Company glue for vinyl floors is 100 percent waterproof. This vinyl floor glue is sold in similar quantities for nearly half the price of the other two types of glue on the list. The Henry Company vinyl adhesive also comes with chemical warnings on its packaging.
These three vinyl floor types of glue are some of the strongest and most reliable adhesives for vinyl floors on the market today. The Cleaning King Team highly recommends all three of them for your projects, but for the best and most reliable finished product, Roberts 7350 should be your choice.
