Can You Glue Laminate Flooring Joints? (Here’s How!)


Thinking of gluing the laminate joints but not sure if you should? You are not alone. Even though gluing down looks like the better option, sometimes it ends up being a very bad one. 

In most circumstances, laminate flooring joints should not be glued. You typically glue joints when there is a risk of high moisture exposure. If that is the case, you’d want to seal with the help of laminate glue and some silicone caulk so the sealing is more resistant to moisture.

Gluing down laminate flooring joints is something that most flooring experts would tell you to avoid at all costs. But there are some circumstances where gluing might be the better option. In fact, it would even be recommended. The problem is that many people don’t really know when to or when not to. 

Are you thinking about gluing the joints of your laminate flooring but do not know where to start? You do not need to worry because this guide covers everything. 

Can You Glue Laminate Flooring Joints Together?

Yes, you can glue laminate flooring joints. It requires an adhesive to secure the boards in place and ensure that they are stuck to the subfloor beneath them. While many professionals don’t recommend this method, it’s still used every now and then. 

In addition, since the floorboards are directly glued to the subfloor underneath, they are less likely to rise on account of moisture damage. But sometimes, the damage happens below the surface and is not noticeable until it’s too late. 

Should You Glue The Joints Of Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is also known as floating flooring because it uses the kind of a joint that can be snapped together. Thus, the planks are quite easy to install. This type of joint is used because it eventually expands due to changes in humidity and temperature. This especially happens if you don’t properly acclimate laminate flooring.

On the other hand, if you choose to glue down the laminate floorboards, they will be unable to shift as the moisture levels in their surroundings change. As a result, you will start to notice peeling and cracking beneath the planks. This is why at the time of installation of laminate boards, slight gaps are left in between planks to give them room to shift with ease. 

Even though gluing is not necessary, it’s still quite popular. The reason behind that being it mitigates the risk of high moisture exposure. The sealant acts as a barrier between the subfloor and the surroundings, preventing it from seeping inside and causing damage to the core. 

What Kind of Glue Do I Use on Laminate Flooring Joints?

If you are thinking about gluing your laminate flooring joints together, then a silicone caulk is the best type of glue to use. However, make sure that you buy a high-end brand to ensure that the laminate is sealed correctly and, thus, resistant to moisture. 

How Do You Fix a Joint in Laminate Flooring Using a Glue?

Below are various simple steps that you can follow to glue the joints of laminate flooring. You can also watch this video for clearer visuals:

  1. Go through the instructions thoroughly

Before you start applying it, you are advised to carefully go through the instructions given on the laminate flooring glue package. Every brand of adhesive comes with its own set of specific instructions that you must adhere to avoid any accidents and comprise its effectiveness. 

  1. Choosing a glue

While it is recommended that you use silicone caulk for your laminate flooring, you can also opt for a urethane-based adhesive. Whichever type of glue you choose in the end, make sure that it consists of less moisture content to ensure that the planks do not absorb it. In addition, keep your distance from any sealant that contains water.

  1. Figuring out the amount to apply

One of the primary mistakes beginners make when using glue to fix joints in their laminate flooring is the application of too much product. This prevents the proper fitting of the groove and tongue together, leading to the seams staying open. 

At the same time, applying a small amount of glue is not recommended, as that could prevent the planks from being sealed appropriately. In addition, the moisture may find its way through the gaps in the floorboards, making gluing joints futile. 

  1. Finding areas for application

Remember only to place the adhesive between the laminate planks and not beneath them. Secure the boards together by applying the sealant along the tongue’s top and the groove’s bottom for the best result. 

  1. Give the glue time to set

Like all other constructive adhesives, the glue used for laminate flooring needs a specific length of time to set. You should allow around 24 hours for the sealant to dry before you start walking on the flooring again. If you do not give it ample time to dry down, you risk the shifting of planks.

  1. Clean up after yourself

When everything is done, be sure to clean up to get rid of any excess. This ensures that the glue will not dry up and cause your floor to become uneven. You will notice that excess sealant appears when the planks are fitted together, and it makes its way out from amongst the seams. 

What Happens If You Glue Down Laminate Flooring Joints?

Following are a couple of things that are likely to happen over time if you glue laminate flooring joints.

  1. Peaking

Peaking is a direct result of planks pushing against each other and creating high points and pinching in a couple of areas on the laminate floors. This usually happens if the floorboards are not given ample space to expand throughout the room. As a result, their edges start to push up against the walls.

Fixing any part of the laminate floors prevents it from expanding as there is a rise in the level of humidity. The planks push up against anything and everything with no room to breathe. Unable to find a room, they start to lift up. Consequently, joint failures occur, or the flooring buckles permanently warp the floor. 

  1. Gapping

When the humidity and temperature of a room considerably fall, it causes the laminate planks to pull away at their floor joints. As a result, slight gaps appear between the floorboards. While this does not usually happen, it directly results from gluing down the laminate flooring joints.

FAQs

Can I Pull Up and Relay Laminate Flooring?

Yes, you can pull up and relay laminate flooring because it’s not secured to the subfloor. Thus, laminate flooring is often referred to as the floating floor because the surface is made in a way to ensure that it floats on top of a foam cushion.

How to Glue Laminate Flooring to Concrete?

A special adhesive is required to glue laminate flooring to concrete floors to ensure that the planks stay. Feel free to visit any local shop near you and ask them for an appropriate sealant. Make sure the moisture content in the glue is not too high, as the concrete is already known for having more moisture than any other type of floor. 

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