Does Glue Down Vinyl Flooring Expand? (Explained)

If you’re thinking about opting for glue-down vinyl flooring in your space, it’s vital to understand how it behaves over time. Equally important is does glue down vinyl flooring expands. And whether the expansion is something to be concerned about.

Most vinyl flooring, including the glued-down variety, expands and contracts as it ages. Moreover, changes in temperature and humidity can cause expansion and contraction. The environment changes upon the aging of vinyl flooring, as it does with many other materials.

To accommodate this natural expansion and contraction, it’s crucial to leave a gap around the room’s perimeter and at any points where the flooring changes direction or encounters elevation differences.

Doing so gives the material room to expand and contract without causing issues like buckling or lifting away from the subfloor.

There are several reasons why glue-down vinyl flooring is becoming so popular with homeowners and contractors. It is durable, cost-effective, easy to install, and visually appealing. However, it’s important to remember that, like any flooring material, glue-down vinyl flooring has unique characteristics and limitations.

In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons behind this phenomenon, providing you with valuable insights and answers.

Does Glue Down Vinyl Flooring Expand?

Vinyl plank flooring experiences minimal expansion and contraction over time.

Depending on the conditions it’s exposed to, vinyl flooring may undergo slight changes after being installed in its newly installed environment. Rest assured, this is a natural process that occurs and shouldn’t cause major concerns.

The key to ensuring vinyl plank flooring longevity lies in creating a comfortable and consistent environment in your space.

It’s crucial to leave a gap between the planks and the walls to allow for expansion. This gap should be a minimum of 3-5 millimeters, depending on the type of flooring. It allows the planks to move freely as the temperature and humidity change. It also helps reduce the risk of warping or buckling the planks.

Additionally, fill this expansion gap with a flexible sealant to prevent dirt and moisture buildup.

Compared to other types of flooring materials, vinyl flooring exhibits minimal expansion. Unlike natural materials, vinyl is less susceptible to temperature and humidity changes, which makes it an excellent choice for areas that experience frequent shifts in temperature and humidity levels.

To ensure a successful and long-lasting installation, it’s important to properly condition the vinyl flooring before the installation process begins. This step helps the flooring adjust to its surroundings, minimizing the potential for future expansion issues.

Factors Influencing Flooring Expansion

Several factors can influence the expansion of floors, including:

• Temperature: Temperature changes can cause vinyl flooring and materials like laminate to expand or contract. These fluctuations can lead to gaps and cracks in the flooring if not accounted for properly.
• Humidity: The moisture levels in the environment also play a role in floor expansion. High humidity can cause hardwood and engineered wood to expand due to moisture absorption. Conversely, low humidity levels can result in contraction as the materials lose moisture.
• Installation Process: Proper installation techniques are crucial to minimizing floor expansion. Leaving an expansion gap around the floor’s perimeter is important to prevent direct contact with walls. A 5/15″ gap is recommended between the floor’s edge and any obstructions like walls or support columns.
• Using the Right Adhesive: Using the adhesive recommended by the flooring manufacturer is essential. Too much adhesive can cause the floor to buckle, while insufficient adhesive may result in inadequate adherence. Follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer when applying and spreading adhesive.
• Subfloor Conditions: A stable foundation is essential for the floor’s performance. Properly preparing and evaluating the subfloor is crucial, as an uneven or unstable subfloor can transfer stress to the floor, leading to uneven expansion or contraction.

What Types of Vinyl Floors Have the Most Expansion Issues?

Sheet vinyl

Sheet vinyl is some of the most affordable flooring you can buy. These flexible materials are 6 to 12 feet wide and can be cut to any length. 

For busy households, sheet vinyl is a great option because it is low maintenance and easy to clean. It is also water-resistant and can be used in moisture-prone rooms. Sheet vinyl is available in various colors and patterns to suit any style.

There can be expansion problems with sheet vinyl flooring, especially when installed over large areas without large expansion joints. Without enough expansion room, sheet vinyl can buckle or warp when exposed to changes in temperature or humidity. Even though the glue makes it difficult to move and lift, the material can still spread.

When working with traditional sheet vinyl, it is recommended that you leave an expansion gap around the perimeter. However, soft vinyl sheets and loose-lay options will tend to swell, so you must leave a wide gap around their perimeters.

Loose Lay Vinyl 

Loose vinyl planks are primarily known for their ease of installation. However, this flooring has a major drawback: it isn’t available in tile format, making it difficult to install. 

Loose vinyl flooring is also susceptible to expansion problems since it relies on friction rather than adhesive to stay in place. When the floor expands due to changes in temperature or humidity, it can undermine its stability.

It can lead to buckling and warping of the flooring, which can cause a tripping hazard and is difficult to repair.

It’s important to ensure a stable and consistent environment before installing loose vinyl flooring.

Floating Vinyl Floor

Floating floors consist of separate pieces that connect with a click-and-lock mechanism. You won’t need adhesive when you measure and install them correctly.

Temperatures and humidity don’t seem to affect it much. It’s also relatively easy to replace individual tiles or planks if damaged. Floating floors are also a good choice for people who want a flooring solution that can be installed quickly.

Nevertheless, you should leave space on vertical surfaces like walls and pipes. Especially in large rooms, expansion seams are necessary. 

Low-Quality Vinyl

Low-quality or improperly manufactured vinyl flooring can have more expansion problems. The material may be too thin or contain too many plasticizers, which can cause it to expand and contract more than higher-quality vinyl flooring. It can lead to premature wear, buckling, or cracking.

Depending on the composition, these floors may not be able to withstand the required stability or may have structural defects. To minimize the risk of expansion-related problems, vinyl flooring from reputable manufacturers should be chosen.

Also See: 12 Things You Need to Know Before Buying Vinyl Flooring

How to prevent the expansion and contraction of vinyl floors?

• Acclimate your floor before installation: Let your vinyl flooring acclimate to room temperature. Leave your floor in the box daily to adjust to room temperature before installing. Acclimation minimizes vinyl’s potential expansion or contraction by adjusting it to space temperature and humidity.
• Use expansion joints to install vinyl flooring: Expansion joints are important when installing vinyl tiles or planks. For natural expansion and contraction, expansion joints are spaced between floor pieces. These joints prevent floors from buckling or warping by accommodating temperature and humidity changes.
• Avoid water damage to vinyl flooring: In general, vinyl flooring is water-resistant, but excessive exposure can lead to problems. Immediately clean up spills or moisture on surfaces and avoid wet mopping. To prevent water from getting under vinyl, use caution near entryways and moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Underlay the subfloor with anti-skid material: Anti-skid underlayment enhances safety and prevents slipping on vinyl flooring. Anti-skid underlayment increases traction and stability, especially in high-traffic areas or areas prone to moisture. Even when wet, it improves grip and prevents vinyl flooring from slipping.
• Don’t drag heavy furniture: Maintaining vinyl flooring requires avoiding dragging heavy furniture over it. Especially on bare floors, dragging heavy furniture over vinyl plank flooring can cause buckling. Instead, use furniture glides or protective pads under furniture legs or corners to minimize friction and prevent damage.

How Underlayment Controls Expansion?

Proper selection and installation of underlayment are critical to ensure their effectiveness in controlling expansion. Underlayment can help to restrict the movement of the flooring and control expansion. It acts as a buffer between the flooring and the subfloor, helping to absorb the stress caused by expansion and contraction.

Installing the right type of underlayment is essential to ensure maximum protection. Underlayments control expansion and improve floor performance by providing stability, moisture resistance, thermal control, and other benefits.

There are several reasons why underlayment is important in flooring installations. Cushioning, sound absorption, insulating, and reducing wear on your floors are all possible with thin layers of material.

It is possible to increase the floor’s longevity, comfort, and performance by selecting and installing the right underlayment. Hence, underlayment plays a crucial role in successfully installing a floor.

List of underlayments suitable for glue-down vinyl flooring:

1. Cork underlayment
2. Rubber underlayment
3. Felt underlayment
4. Plywood underlayment

You Might Also Like to Read

• Cork vs. Rubber Underlayment: Which One Should I Choose?
• Cork vs. Foam Underlayment: Which is Right for Me?

Why Are Expansion Gaps So Important?

Most vinyl floors require expansion gaps to accommodate natural expansion and contraction. Floors can buckle, warp, or develop invisible cracks without these gaps. 

As a result of expansion gaps, floors can expand, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining structural integrity. Expansion gaps should be placed around the room’s perimeter and in areas wider than 15 feet. Gaps should be filled with a flexible sealant to allow for movement. Expansion gaps should also be checked periodically to ensure they are in good condition.

There is nothing wrong with expansion gaps; don’t fear them. Regardless, you need to cover the edges of a floating vinyl floor with trim around it. If you do it right, you won’t see gaps again – and your floor won’t be unsafe. 

See Also: Do I Need Expansion Gaps for Vinyl Flooring? (Explained)

FAQs: Does Glue Down Vinyl Flooring Expand?

Read More on Vinyl Floors

• Do I Need Expansion Gaps for Vinyl Flooring? (Explained)
• How to Get Waves Out of Vinyl Flooring? (4 Best Ways)
• How to Fix Vinyl Flooring Seams? (A Step-By-Step Approach)
• 5 Reasons Why Your Vinyl Plank Floor Buckling (Guide To Fix It)
• How to Fix Gaps in Vinyl Plank Flooring? (5 Easy Steps)