Can You Glue Down a Floating Floor?

Floating floors are a popular flooring option, thanks to their convenience and ease of installation. As the name suggests, floating floors are designed to be installed without any adhesive, allowing the planks to literally “float” on top of the subfloor. But can you glue down a floating floor if desired?

When Should You Glue Down a Floating Floor?

Floating floors are intended to be installed without any adhesive. However, there are some instances where gluing the floor may be recommended or required:

Moisture Control

Gluing down the floor can act as an additional moisture barrier, preventing spills, leaks or high humidity from seeping between seams and damaging the subfloor or flooring planks. This may be recommended for bathrooms, laundry rooms, basements, or concrete subfloors.

Uneven Subfloors

If the subfloor is uneven, has significant cracks or variations in height, gluing the floor can help stabilize the planks and minimize movement, noise, and hollow spots.

High Traffic Commercial Areas

In commercial settings with extremely high foot traffic, adhesive may help reinforce floating floor seams and prevent gaps from developing over time.

Reducing Floor Noise

Gluing planks together at the seams can dampen noise transfer and eliminate any hollow sounds, providing a more solid feel underfoot.

Radiant Heat Systems

With radiant floor heating, gluing may help ensure even heat transfer and prevent planks from shifting as the floor cycles on and off.

Existing Subfloor Issues

If the subfloor is compromised or unstable, adhesive may be used to strengthen the flooring installation and prevent premature failure.

What About Warranties?

Most floating floor manufacturers indicate that gluing the floor voids the product warranty. This is because adhesive prevents the natural expansion and contraction that floating floors require. However, some manufacturers provide exceptions if their recommended adhesive is used properly. Check your warranty specifics before gluing down a floating floor.

How to Glue Down a Floating Floor

If your situation calls for a glued down floating floor, here is an overview of how to proceed:

Choose the Right Adhesive

Do not use just any adhesive! Consult the flooring manufacturer to determine if gluing is allowed, and which specific adhesive they recommend. Using the wrong adhesive can damage the flooring and void the warranty.

Common options include:

Urethane-based flooring adhesives
Acrylic or latex-based adhesives
Pressure-sensitive adhesives
Epoxy adhesives

Prep the Subfloor

The subfloor must be clean, dry, and flat before installing any floating floor. Address any moisture issues and fill cracks or voids. An underlayment is still recommended prior to gluing.

Spread the Adhesive

Using the manufacturer’s recommended trowel, spread the adhesive evenly over the underlayment or subfloor. Work in sections that can be covered with flooring before the adhesive dries.

Install Starting Row

Lay the first row of flooring planks into the adhesive, following the floating floor installation instructions. Use spacers against walls to allow expansion space.

Glue Seams

Continue installing successive rows of planks. Apply adhesive along the tongue-and-groove joints as you connect and interlock each plank. Remove any adhesive squeezed up into joints.

Roll and Weight Planks

As you install, use a hand roller or weighted flooring roller to firmly adhere the planks into the adhesive. Weighing planks prevents movement while the adhesive cures.

Clean Up Adhesive

Clean wet adhesive from flooring right away using the adhesive manufacturer’s recommended cleaner. Dried adhesive can be very difficult to remove from flooring surfaces.

Pros and Cons of Gluing Down Floating Floors

There are several potential benefits to gluing down floating floors, but also some disadvantages to consider:

Pros

Prevents moisture from seeping between planks and damaging subfloor
Minimizes floor movement and noise
Helps stabilize planks over uneven subfloors
May improve durability in high traffic areas
Provides full adhesive vapor barrier for moisture protection

Cons

Floor loses ability to freely float and expand/contract
Alters ease of replacement and refinishing
Risk of adhesive oozing up and staining floor surface
Labor intensive installation process
Difficult to completely remove glued flooring later on
May void manufacturer’s warranty if incorrect adhesive used

Best Practices for Gluing Floating Floors

If you plan to glue down your floating laminate, LVP, or other floating floor, keep these best practices in mind:

Only use manufacturer recommended adhesive. Never substitute other products.
Ensure the subfloor is properly prepped and suitable for gluing flooring. Address any moisture issues first.
Work in small sections, spreading adhesive only where flooring will be installed within 30-60 minutes before drying.
Use the recommended trowel size to achieve the proper adhesive thickness and coverage.
Roll and weight flooring after installation to firmly adhere planks as adhesive cures.
Immediately clean any adhesive squeezed up into floor seams before drying occurs.
Avoid walking on floor and do not allow heavy traffic until adhesive fully cures, typically 24-48 hours.
Be prepared for a slower installation process compared to floating a floor.

Types of Adhesives for Floating Floors

Again, always consult the flooring manufacturer first and use their recommended adhesive product. Some types of adhesives that may be suitable include:

Acrylic Latex Adhesives

Water-based acrylic latex adhesives are common for gluing down floating wood and vinyl floors.
They provide a strong, flexible bond and resist damage from moisture and alkalinity from concrete.
Acrylic adhesives allow some lateral movement as the floor expands and contracts.
They require a porous subfloor material to absorb the adhesive, such as concrete or plywood.

Urethane Adhesives

Urethane adhesives come in 1-part and 2-part formulas with excellent bond strength.
They adhere well to both porous and non-porous surfaces including concrete, wood, and existing vinyl or tile.
Urethane adhesives remain flexible over time. They are a common recommendation for gluing down floating floors.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives

Pressure-sensitive adhesives have an aggressive tacky texture that sticks with applied pressure.
They bond well to a wide variety of flooring materials and subfloor surfaces.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives allow some lateral floor movement while preventing plank separation.

Epoxy Adhesives

Two-part epoxy adhesives offer extremely strong, rigid bonds with high moisture resistance.
They are more difficult to work with and have a short open time before drying.
Epoxies can be used for gluing down floating floors but allow very little floor movement.

Step-By-Step: Gluing a Floating Vinyl Plank Floor

To demonstrate the process, here is a step-by-step guide to gluing down a floating LVP floor:

Step 1: Subfloor Preparation

The subfloor must be cleaned, leveled, and structurally sound. Fix any squeaks or voids. A primer may be required depending on adhesive type.

Step 2: Underlayment

Roll out underlayment with moisture barrier facing down. Tape seams and trim as needed. This helps smooth imperfections.

Step 3: Adhesive Application

Spread the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive using the proper trowel size at a 45° angle. Only cover sections that can be covered with flooring before drying per adhesive instructions.

Step 4: Plank Layout

Lay the first row of vinyl planks with spacers against the wall. Interlock planks and make any cuts needed.

Step 5: Seam Gluing

Apply a bead of adhesive along the length of the groove on each plank. Insert the tongue of the next plank into the groove and press together firmly. Wipe any squeezed-out adhesive immediately.

Step 6: Rolling and Weighting

Use a hand roller or weighted flooring roller over installed planks to firmly press into the adhesive. Leave weights on floor overnight.

Step 7: Cleanup

Use mineral spirits or adhesive manufacturer’s recommended cleaner to remove wet adhesive from floor surface immediately. Allow to fully cure for 24-48 hours before use.

Gluing Floating Floor Seams vs. Full Spread

For the best results gluing down a floating floor, there are two main adhesive application methods:

Gluing Seams Only

Only applies adhesive along the tongue-and-groove joints when connecting planks.
Allows floor to still partially float and expand/contract.
Helps prevent gaps from developing at seams while limiting amount of adhesive.
Can be done as a retrofit to secure loose seams on existing floating floors.

Full Spread Application

Spreads adhesive across entire subfloor surface before laying planks.
Provides maximum moisture protection and bond strength.
Minimizes floor movement but prevents natural expansion/contraction.
Entire floor is fully adhered to subfloor rather than just at seams.
Much more labor intensive adhesive application.

Either method can be effective if done properly with the manufacturer’s recommended adhesive. Full spread application provides maximum stability and moisture protection. Gluing just the seams achieves additional seam reinforcement while allowing some floor movement.

Is Gluing Down Floating Floors Worth It?

Whether it’s ultimately worth the time and effort to glue down a floating floor depends on your specific situation:

Worth it: For concrete subfloors, radiant floor heat, uneven floors, high moisture areas, and eliminating floor noise.

Not worth it: For general residential use on plywood or OSB subfloors with no moisture issues and an effective underlayment installed.

Unsure? Contact the flooring manufacturer for their input based on your subfloor type and room function.

Can You Install Floating Floors Without Underlayment?

Underlayment is recommended even when gluing down floating floors. Quality underlayments provide:

Vapor barrier against subfloor moisture
Noise reduction
Added thermal insulation
Smoother surface over imperfect subfloors

Installing floating floors without underlayment is possible but will compromise performance and increase risk of moisture damage unless the adhesive alone provides a 100% vapor barrier.

Gluing Down Floating Floors Over Concrete

Gluing vinyl plank, laminate, and other floating floors over concrete has several advantages:

Moisture protection – Concrete naturally emits moisture vapor that can damage flooring from below. Adhesive forms vapor barrier.

Sound reduction – Gluing eliminates hollow sounds from floating over hard concrete.

Stability – Prevents movement and gaps from uneven or cracked concrete.

Adhesion – Provides excellent grip on smooth, non-porous concrete surfaces.

Longevity – May improve lifespan in high traffic commercial spaces.

For new or existing concrete, opt for an adhesive recommended for concrete installation such as urethane or acrylic formulations. This improves bonding and moisture protection.

Signs Your Floating Floor Needs Gluing

Here are signs that gluing down an existing floating floor may be beneficial:

Gaps developing between planks
Hollow sounds or squeaks when walking
Planks shifting or lifting at edges
Bubbling or rippling in floor surface
Floor feels unstable or loose
Suspected moisture damage from below

If a floating floor exhibits any of these issues, applying adhesive at seams or across the floor can re-secure loose planks and provide added structural reinforcement.

Can You Install Floating Floors Over Linoleum?

Installing floating vinyl plank or laminate floors over existing linoleum is possible, but gluing is often recommended:

Advantages of gluing:

Holds floor tightly against uneven linoleum surfaces
Reduces risk of deformities over time as linoleum continues to age
Minimizes noise transfer through hollow linoleum tiles
Prevents planks from shifting apart and damaging linoleum seams

Always use the recommended adhesive for vinyl floors and ensure linoleum is well-bonded to subfloor and free of moisture issues before installation.

Uninstalling a Glued Down Floating Floor

One downside to gluing is that it makes the floor more difficult to remove later on. Here are some tips for uninstalling a glued floating floor:

Try to lift an edge or cut the floor apart at seams. This may break the adhesive bond.
Use a multipurpose floor adhesive remover to soften the adhesive and make the floor easier to pry up.
For a full spread installation, a power floor scraper may be required to break the adhesive bond across the entire floor.
Removing a glued down floating floor takes significant time and effort. Avoid gluing unless you plan to leave the floor long term.

Can You Refinish a Glued Down Floating Floor?

Gluing down a floating floor also impacts future refinishing. In general:

Laminate and vinyl floating floors cannot be refinished since the decorative layer is only a thin veneer.
Engineered hardwood with a thick enough wear layer could potentially be refinished but gluing complicates the process.
A glued floor is harder to sand since planks are adhered to the subfloor and not able to move freely. Harsher sanding risks damaging the floor.
Any adhesive oozed up between planks causes issues when sanding and finishing.

Overall, gluing complicates future refinishing for any floating floor. Avoid gluing down engineered hardwood that you ever intend to refinish later on.

Floating Floor Alternatives to Gluing

If gluing down a floating floor is not ideal for your situation, here are some alternatives to consider:

Use a higher quality underlayment to better smooth and insulate the floor.
Opt for a floating floor with pre-attached foam padding for sound insulation.
Explore grout or seam sealing options to prevent moisture penetration.
For concrete subfloors, install a vapor barrier coating or membrane.
Use floor noise reducing underlayment and apply acoustic caulk around perimeter.
Consider alternative floorings that can be glued down, such as sheet vinyl or luxury vinyl tile.

The Bottom Line

Gluing down floating floors is an option in certain situations, but also has some distinct drawbacks. Only glue a floating floor if:

The manufacturer specifically approves gluing their product
An inadequate subfloor really requires adhesive reinforcement
You are ready to take on the more complex installation process
You plan to leave the floor long-term since removal will be difficult

For most typical installations over plywood or OSB, floating the floor without adhesive is still the easiest and recommended method. But for problem subfloors or to reduce floor noise, gluing a floating floor can provide extra stability and acoustic benefits.