In today’s retail environment it’s easy to get bogged down by the promises of rigid core and click LVT—and for good reason. The popular luxury vinyl construction took the industry by storm a mere handful of years ago and raised the resilient category up to the fastest growing and highest selling in decades. However, there’s another format that has been silently inching its way into the hearts of consumers alongside its powerful sister subsegments: residential glue-down vinyl.
While the rigid core segment has been locked in controversy for several years—first with the implementation of various tariffs and then with the UFLPA detentions of late—glue down came to the rescue of consumers in the period between 2020-2023. Its various features and benefits far outweighed the uncertainty of rigid core and shined even brighter against a marred sea of click-able chaos.
“Throughout the United States, there is a recent uptick in glue down usage versus click-lock flooring in new construction because it is less expensive and faster to install,” noted Casey Johnson, CEO, Happy Feet.
Indeed, glue down has a bevy of benefits that installers, builders and homeowners are currently drawn to. “Glue-down products in residential applications deliver key performance attributes—they have great designs and offer a competitive price, especially for the builder, property management and multi-family segments,” said Brian Saker, director of product management, resilient, Mohawk. “Also, it provides—with experienced crews—very quick installation compared to other click products or non-glue-down products. But really the value proposition is what differentiates it for certain applications. You can get better value for your money.”
Mannington continues to put its weight behind glue-down vinyl products due to the format’s vast uses. “We are the clear market-share leader in glue down residentially,” said David Sheehan, senior vice president of residential product, Mannington. “It is the perfect solution for Main Street applications and high-traffic areas. There’s a reason why more than 90% of commercial floors are glue down. It is the best-performing installation method and can withstand even the most rigorous residential environments.”
Glue down is also handy when it comes to the practicality of an install. Click products sometimes struggle against uneven subfloors or will incur damage during a renovation or new build, installers say. But that’s where a glue-down floor can shine. “If there are issues with the subfloor of a customer’s home, glue down can provide durability and ease in installation that other products cannot,” Happy Feet’s Johnson said. “Builders are currently loving glue down because it can be put down throughout the new build while installing everything on top of it, and the flooring stays together throughout the process.”
Karndean, which has been steadfastly focused on resilient flooring—and only resilient flooring—for 50 years, says glue-down products also allow for tailored designs specific to any unique individual’s tastes, which is a key selling point in today’s market. “Glue down allows homeowners and interior designers to create custom looks that show off their style,” said Jenne Ross, director of product. “Because of the ability to cut the pieces and create different lay patterns, the design possibilities are limitless.”
Why it matters at retail
So why should flooring dealers jump on the glue-down bandwagon? It seems there are a bevy of reasons. “The benefit to the dealer is it’s an alternative for the consumer, it delivers the performance they want and at a competitive price,” Mohawk’s Saker explained. “It provides the retailer with that flexibility, and we’re seeing a trend go back to glue down—it’s gaining more traction against click flooring.”
Karndean’s Ross agreed, noting that all the reasons glue down is attractive to the consumers reflect why it should be similarly appealing to the retailer. “Glue down is an essential option to offer customers for two reasons—design flexibility and the ability to easily remove and replace individual pieces,” she explained. “When you combine those benefits with the unique selling points of luxury vinyl flooring, you’ve got a really attractive product for homeowners.”
Mike Sanderson, vice president of marketing for Engineered Floors, added simply that while there is limited space on a showroom floor, dealers should offer glue-down products to their customers so they have a more comprehensive collection of resilient flooring to showcase. “If a customer visits a store unsure of exactly what type of flooring they need, it’s good practice to have as many products as possible to show to make sure you capture the sale,” he explained.
