Adhesive for floor coverings – why use it?

It may seem that laying linoleum is as easy as can be—just spread out the sheet and secure it with baseboards. However, experts claim that only using adhesive for flooring materials ensures truly high-quality installation. So what are the benefits of glue and why is it necessary? Let’s see what renovation professionals have to say.

Why Glue Linoleum?

Let’s start with the most common problems of unglued coverings:

• Linoleum held down by only baseboards may bulge over time. With uneven loads on the floor, air can accumulate under the linoleum where it isn’t secured.
• If there’s furniture in the room that is moved often, or tables and chairs on wheels, they can constantly “pull” the covering with them, creating unsightly wrinkles.
• Risk of tears. Precisely in areas where linoleum is not glued, it’s easy to damage. The cause might be pet claws or moving furniture legs. Glued linoleum is more resistant to external impact.

With glue, the material will be securely fixed to the floor, eliminating the risk of bumps and bulges; the floor will look smooth and beautiful.

Many people avoid using glue, fearing that it will be difficult to remove the covering during future renovations. However, if you use specialized glue, linoleum can be removed without damaging the floor. Another option: on a perfectly flat, tightly glued linoleum surface, it’s easy to lay laminate or another covering later on. So glued floor coverings have far more advantages.

Which Adhesive Should You Choose for Flooring?

Ordinary PVA won’t be enough here. It’s better to use a specialized glue for this purpose. You can use ZEBRA Floor Covering Adhesive, KS-3, or Bustilat Malva. They are designed for application on porous concrete surfaces and provide good adhesion between materials. The glue should be applied in a thin, even layer to cover the entire floor surface. This method ensures strong and durable bonding.

How to Glue Linoleum Without Mistakes?

To make sure your work pays off, follow these 5 steps.

1. Sweep the floor, remove dust and debris, and make sure there are no greasy spots. The floor should be clean and even.
2. Lay out the linoleum and check that its edges do not go up onto the walls. Ideally, linoleum should sit about 8 mm away from the wall. These gaps will be covered by baseboards.
3. Leave the covering laid out for 1–3 days. This will help the material flatten out and make your work easier later on.
4. Roll up the linoleum into a roll. Apply glue to the floor in strips, unroll a portion of the linoleum and press it to the surface. Continue gluing the rest of the roll in this way. In large rooms, it’s easier to glue with two people.
5. After leveling out the linoleum, fix its edges or corners with flat heavy objects. Once it’s dry, you can attach the baseboards.

So should you glue linoleum or not? By gluing your flooring, you get a 100% guarantee of a sturdy and beautiful floor. And as most people’s experience shows, it’s better to put in a little extra effort than later deal with spoiled linoleum.