What glue is best for vinyl flooring?

To install vinyl flooring, you'll need an adhesive that's resistant to heat and moisture. There are many types of adhesives on the market, but none of them offer the same convenience for cross-linking and other techniques. How to find the best glue for vinyl flooring?

Using neoprene adhesive is the best way to bond vinyl flooring, but there are other viable options. The purpose of this article is to discuss the options available to you and help you make an informed decision.

What is vinyl?

When choosing the best glue for vinyl flooring, it's important to understand the properties of this plastic polymer.

Polyvinyl chloride is a plastic polymer known for its toughness and flame retardancy. This polymer is not biodegradable, so manufacturers are encouraged to recycle all vinyl products.

There are two types of vinyl: flexible and rigid. Flexible vinyl is used in packaging, cable insulation, leather upholstery and such soft items.

Rigid vinyl, on the other hand, is great for bottles, water pipes, bank cards, and more. To make PVC more flexible, manufacturers add plasticizers to it. PVC boards used for flooring are typically neither too soft nor too hard.

What adhesive is used to bond vinyl flooring?

Several different types of glue are widely used for bonding vinyl planks. Choosing the right glue is crucial because not all glues get the job done with the same efficiency.

Some vinyl planks are hard, while others are flexible. The hard type is more suitable for rigid vinyl, while the multi-purpose adhesive is suitable for soft vinyl. Here are the basic rules to remember when installing vinyl flooring.

Before choosing the right glue for your project, understand your options.

polyurethane

Polyurethane glue is known for its versatility and is perfect for bonding thin vinyl planks together. These glues also work well on plastic or wooden surfaces. Always prepare the surface with sandpaper before applying polyurethane. This small preparatory action will significantly increase the strength of the bond.

Neoprene based spray adhesive

Neoprene, also known as polychloroprene, is a powerful agent in various types of adhesives, especially spray adhesives. Neoprene spray adhesive is the best choice for bonding vinyl sheets, rubber sheets, wood and plastics. Neoprene glue is also the best glue for vinyl fabrics.

This glue is resistant to high temperatures, bonds quickly, has strong adhesion, is durable, and is non-tacky. This all-purpose spray adhesive is one of the best options if you're working with lightweight materials like vinyl, cardboard, foil, or paper. It is also the best adhesive for wall vinyl flooring.

Contrary to what some DIY enthusiasts think, spray adhesive can be used to bond heavy-duty materials together. If you're working with vinyl, wood, plastic, or rubber, you can rely on high-strength spray adhesives. It is non-toxic, easy to use, and provides a strong and permanent bond.

silicone

Silicone adhesives are also very effective when gluing vinyl. Don't use silicone adhesive when working with flexible or thin vinyl, mainly because it doesn't have enough grip. However, for rigid vinyl, this type of adhesive works well. If you use 100% silicone glue to bond a spotless vinyl surface, rest assured the results will be great!

Epoxy resin

Known for their unparalleled toughness, epoxy-based adhesives are the best adhesive for concrete vinyl flooring. Epoxy is a very effective glue for vinyl flooring, especially rigid vinyl planks. However, epoxy is not a good choice for flexible vinyl. Epoxy is used not only to glue vinyl planks together, but also to fill holes in vinyl flooring.

super glue

Superglue, originally known as cyanoacrylate, is a powerful adhesive with many uses. This glue absorbs moisture from the air and cures quickly. By absorbing moisture, cyanoacrylate forms a chemical structure similar to a web, resulting in a very strong bond. Superglue is the best glue for siding.

For a project that involves installing vinyl flooring, several different types of adhesives are available on the market. Choosing the right type of glue is of utmost importance, so be sure not to choose any glue for your project. 

The effectiveness of any vinyl floor adhesive spray depends on the way you apply it. So, read the manufacturer’s instructions before you apply the glue, whether it is regular adhesive or spray adhesive. We have touched upon various aspects of choosing the best glue to use for vinyl flooring, and we hope now you are better prepared to make an informed decision.