The single most common source of confusion in LVT buying decisions is the installation format. Click-lock and glue-down LVT can look identical and carry the same brand name, but they behave very differently in use, and choosing the wrong format for a specific room or subfloor condition is a common and entirely avoidable mistake.
This guide explains the practical difference between the two formats from an installer's perspective. Call 07345 995206 or email contact@cambridgeshirecarpets.co.uk to book a free home visit with samples from Karndean, Amtico, Moduleo, Quick-Step and Polyflor.
Click-lock LVT connects plank to plank via a tongue-and-groove locking mechanism. The floor floats above the subfloor, typically over a foam or acoustic underlay.
Flexible LVT click-lock: A thin, flexible PVC construction typically 4–5mm thick. Requires a near-perfect subfloor — any undulation over 3mm per 1.8m telegraphs through into visible waves. Sensitive to temperature: expands noticeably in warm conditions.
Rigid-core LVT (SPC — Stone Plastic Composite): A rigid stone-polymer core makes the plank significantly more dimensionally stable. SPC click-lock is typically 6–8mm thick, bridges minor subfloor undulations more effectively, and is much more thermally stable. Moduleo Transform and Quick-Step Balance are SPC products.
Glue-down LVT is bonded directly to the subfloor with a pressure-sensitive adhesive. Each plank is individually adhered, creating a floor that is part of the subfloor structure rather than floating above it.
Subfloor preparation for glue-down is uncompromising: The subfloor must be clean, dry, flat (within 3mm per 1.8m) and structurally stable. Any movement causes adhesion failure. The result when done correctly is the flattest, most stable, most durable LVT installation possible.
Karndean and Amtico — the two premium market leaders — are primarily glue-down products. For the full rundown, see our LVT buyer's guide for Peterborough.
Subfloor tolerance: Click-lock SPC wins. SPC's rigid core bridges minor imperfections better than glue-down.
Waterproofing in wet rooms: Glue-down wins. For kitchens and bathrooms in Peterborough, glue-down is the professional specification.
Dimensional stability under temperature change: SPC click-lock wins. For conservatories, south-facing rooms, and rooms with underfloor heating, SPC is the appropriate click-lock format.
Long-term stability in heavy-use areas: Glue-down wins. In hallways and high-footfall areas, glue-down's bond to the subfloor prevents joint movement.
Reversibility: Click-lock wins. A click-lock floor can be lifted and a plank replaced without damage. Glue-down removal involves mechanical scraping. Rental landlords often prefer click-lock for this reason.
Installation time: Click-lock wins. Walkable immediately after fitting. Glue-down requires 24 hours cure time.
Finished aesthetic quality: Glue-down wins for premium installations. A correctly fitted glue-down floor sits completely flush with no perimeter gap and no hollow sound underfoot.
Timber subfloor (suspended boards): SPC click-lock strongly preferred. Timber moves seasonally and this movement stresses glue-down adhesion over time.
Concrete — flat and dry: Either format appropriate. Glue-down if premium aesthetic is priority; SPC if reversibility matters.
Concrete — older or uneven: Self-levelling compound required before either format. See our subfloor preparation guide for cost ranges.
New build concrete (Hampton PE7, Cardea): Moisture testing required before either format. We test all new build subfloors before committing to a fitting date.
Mid-range SPC click-lock (Moduleo Transform, Quick-Step Balance): £40–£60/m² supply and fit. Mid-range glue-down (Karndean Knight Tile, Amtico Spacia): £50–£75/m² supply and fit. For full cost ranges, see our LVT buyer's guide for Peterborough and our LVT room-by-room guide.
Kitchen and bathrooms: Glue-down LVT — no exceptions if long-term performance and waterproofing are the priority. Open-plan living-dining: Either format; glue-down if aesthetic matters, SPC if reversibility matters. Hallway: Glue-down preferred. First floor rooms on timber subfloor: SPC click-lock.
The right format decision depends on your specific subfloor, rooms, and priorities. We assess all of these on a free home visit. Call 07345 995206 or visit our LVT flooring page. See the gallery for recent LVT projects across Peterborough and Cambridgeshire.
SPC click-lock LVT is the most DIY-accessible format. However, subfloor preparation remains the critical variable. We offer a fitting-only service if you purchase the product elsewhere, but recommend supply-and-fit for guaranteed specification and subfloor assessment.
In practice, yes — extremely difficult to remove without damaging the subfloor. If uncertain about long-term floor commitment, SPC click-lock is the more reversible choice.
Both are compatible. Glue-down is often preferred — no underlay means direct thermal contact with the heated subfloor. SPC click-lock with compatible underlay is also appropriate if the combined tog rating stays under 2.5.
SPC stands for Stone Plastic Composite — a rigid core construction that makes the plank dimensionally rigid. SPC is typically 6–8mm thick vs 4–5mm for flexible LVT, and significantly more thermally stable.
SPC click-lock is strongly preferred on suspended timber subfloors. Victorian floorboards move seasonally and this movement stresses glue-down adhesion over time. We assess all Victorian subfloors on survey.
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