Are you feeling uncertain about whether or not you are working with glue down rubber flooring? Know that you are not alone. Sometimes, it is difficult to differentiate between whether flooring requires adhesives like tape or glue and when no other tools or materials are necessary for installation. To even further complicate things, sometimes rubber floors can be installed both ways.
So what is the best way to differentiate between glue down rubber flooring and dry lay rubber flooring? When is it important to glue down a floor, and when is a dry lay technique the answer? The following quiz will help you decide whether or not flooring should be glued down or dry laid. Simply choose A, B or C to answer the following questions. All questions are followed-up by more detailed information to help guide you. Remember your answers, then use them to determine your results at the end.
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Question #1: What Is the Rubber Floor Going to Be Used For?
A. Mellow activity, low-impact movement, regular foot traffic.
B. High-intensity activity, heavy foot traffic, movement of heavy equipment.
C. A little bit of both.
It is important to be familiar with the uses of your rubber floor before determining whether it requires a glue down or a dry lay installation, as different uses require different installation methods. If flooring is being used for lighter impact areas, such as rooms without heavy foot traffic, you are less likely to need glue down flooring. For example, many playrooms, patios, sitting / lounge rooms and even bedrooms may be fine with dry laid flooring.
Alternatively, glue down rubber flooring is recommended for areas that are bound to see a lot of foot traffic or other heavy use. Many athletic/gym floors are better off with a glue down method to ensure flooring doesn't slip around under high impact activity. Further, flooring can shift underneath heavy equipment, so it's often better to glue down rubber flooring in garages and workshops. One of the more obvious glue down rubber flooring types includes underwater flooring, which requires concrete cement or other strong adhesives.
B. High-intensity activity, heavy foot traffic, movement of heavy equipment.
C. A little bit of both.
It is important to be familiar with the uses of your rubber floor before determining whether it requires a glue down or a dry lay installation, as different uses require different installation methods. If flooring is being used for lighter impact areas, such as rooms without heavy foot traffic, you are less likely to need glue down flooring. For example, many playrooms, patios, sitting / lounge rooms and even bedrooms may be fine with dry laid flooring.
Alternatively, glue down rubber flooring is recommended for areas that are bound to see a lot of foot traffic or other heavy use. Many athletic/gym floors are better off with a glue down method to ensure flooring doesn't slip around under high impact activity. Further, flooring can shift underneath heavy equipment, so it's often better to glue down rubber flooring in garages and workshops. One of the more obvious glue down rubber flooring types includes underwater flooring, which requires concrete cement or other strong adhesives.
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| Glue Down Rubber Flooring |
Question # 2: Is the Flooring Meant to be Permanent or Portable?
A. Temporary/portable
B. Long-term/permanent.
C. Could go either way.
This question is an obvious and straightforward one. If you are looking for a long-lasting, permanent flooring solution for your home, building or outside patio, then you are more likely to use an adhesive technique. Adhering floors for a permanent install is a great option for those hoping to create a long-lasting reliable and trustworthy space. For example, if you are completely sold on your flooring choice and feel confident you'll love it for years to come, then it's a great idea to go ahead and glue down flooring. That way, flooring will not shift over time.
On the other hand, many people are in need of flooring that can transported for a variety of reasons. For example, trade show booths use portable flooring, as do athletes who bring gym mats to competitions and away events. Further, some people choose temporary flooring solutions as placeholders until they can afford or can find the perfect permanent fix. Meanwhile, some people know that installing a permanent floor is not worth it, as they may be moving again soon. Sometimes, glue down rubber flooring is not even an option, as some renters do not allow for permanent changes. With easy installation flooring, one can simply pack up flooring tiles to be put back into the next place. If flooring is intended to be portable or temporary, then keep it that way by not applying adhesives. Once adhesives are applied, it's much more difficult to remove flooring, and there are greater risks of damage to the flooring.
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| Rubber Flooring Adhesive |
Question #3: What is the Design of the Flooring?
A. Built in connecting system, sticky grip and tread.
B. Roll flooring, slippery material, straight edge tiles.
C. A mixture of A and B.
Another great way to figure out if you should glue down rubber flooring or not is to examine its design. Dry lay flooring often comes with a built-in system to connect tiles. These connection systems ensure that flooring materials will not move upon impact or over time. At Gym Rubber by Greatmats, these kinds of tiles largely do not require any other material or tool for installation. For example, many popular rubber tiles for gyms and or horse stalls are created with a puzzle-piece like interlocking structure. This kind of connecting system keep seams tight and tiles in place without the use of adhesives. Further, rubber often has enough grip and weight to stay on the ground without moving around. If tiles or mats are specifically modeled with a connecting system or floor grip, you are less likely to need a flooring adhesive.
On the other hand, some rubber tiles have straight edges that need to be adhered to one another or to the floor below. Some mats and flooring rolls are the same, especially if they are slippery and lightweight enough to move around when stepped on. Certain flooring rolls require adhesive around the edges to prevent the sides from curling up.
Quiz Results
If you answered all A's, then your flooring is dry lay flooring. Apart from the flooring itself, you do not need any other materials to install your floor. Just as installation is a simple DIY project, de-installation will be a breeze as well (if not even easier). Gym Rubber designs all their dry lay products for multiple uses, so you can install and uninstall time after time.
If you answered all B's, then your flooring requires an adhesive for installation. Be sure to conduct proper research to figure out which adhesive to use with your product, as the process is different according to manufacturer and design. You can find all installation instructions for your product on its product page at gymrubberfloor.com.
If you answered C's, or a mix of all three, let Gym Rubber by Greatmats assist you in figuring it out. Not all flooring has a clear-cut answer to whether or not it should be dry laid or glue-downed. A rubber roll may be best glued down in one home, but not in the other. Interlocking foam mats may be dry laid in the concrete basement, but may need to be taped down on carpeting upstairs. No matter how specific the need or question, the flooring experts at Gym Rubber are determined to provide you an answer. They are on standby to help you navigate through all questions relating to whether or not to glue down rubber flooring.
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