LVT Fitters in Ipswich: Glue-Down and Click LVT Installation
We are LVT fitters in Ipswich and east Suffolk, installing glue-down and click luxury vinyl tile bought from any retailer, from Karndean and Amtico to own-brand ranges. Luxury vinyl tile looks like timber or stone and shrugs off water, claws and muddy boots.
- Fitting only: buy your floor from any shop
- Subfloor checked before we quote
- Written, itemised quote
Looking for vinyl on a roll instead of individual planks and tiles? See sheet vinyl.
What is LVT?
LVT stands for luxury vinyl tile. It is a layered vinyl floor made as individual planks or tiles, not as a sheet. A printed design layer gives it the look of oak, slate or limestone. A clear wear layer on top protects the design. Plank-shaped products are sometimes sold as LVP, luxury vinyl plank. It is the same material.
Glue-down or click?
| Glue-down | Click | |
|---|---|---|
| How it is fitted | Stuck to the subfloor with adhesive | Planks lock together and float over underlay |
| Subfloor needed | Very smooth and flat, usually over smoothing compound or plywood | Flat and sound, slightly more forgiving |
| Thickness | Thin, so less height at doors | Thicker |
| Design options | Borders, feature strips, herringbone, mixed tile sizes | Mostly straight plank and tile layouts |
| Feel | Solid, quiet | Slightly more hollow, depends on underlay |
| Best for | Kitchens, open-plan ground floors, design-led rooms | Quick refurbishments, upstairs rooms |
Wood-effect and stone-effect designs
Wood designs cover pale Scandinavian oaks through to dark walnut, in narrow, standard and wide planks. Stone designs include slate, limestone, marble and concrete looks, in square and rectangular tiles. Many ranges have a textured surface that follows the printed grain, which is what makes a good product convincing. Bevelled edges define each plank. Feature strips can imitate grout lines between tiles.
Wear layers and durability
The wear layer is the clear top coating that takes the traffic. Thicker wear layers last longer. Domestic ranges commonly start around 0.3 mm. Ranges built for heavy use are commonly 0.55 mm or more. Specifications differ between products, so we check the data sheet for the floor you pick instead of assuming.
Luxury vinyl and water
The vinyl itself does not absorb water, which is why it suits kitchens, utility rooms and many bathrooms. Two cautions apply. Water resistance claims are product-specific. And water that gets under any floor, through a leak or a damp subfloor, is still a problem. Moisture in the subfloor is tested before fitting.
Where it works best
- Kitchens: spills wipe up, and dropped items are less likely to chip it than ceramic tile.
- Hallways: grit and wet shoes do little harm.
- Open-plan living areas: one floor can run through kitchen, dining and lounge.
- Bathrooms and cloakrooms: where the chosen range is rated for wet areas.
- Homes with pets and children: the most forgiving hard floor we fit.
For help matching floors to rooms, see our guide for homeowners.
Subfloor preparation
Glue-down planks are thin and flexible. Every ridge, screw head and board joint underneath will show through in time. Concrete and screed are normally finished with a smoothing compound. Floorboards are normally overlaid with plywood. Moisture readings decide whether a damp-proof membrane is needed. Click planks bridge small imperfections but still need a flat base, or the joints work loose. We carry out all of this ourselves: see floor preparation and levelling.
- Wear layerClear coating that takes the traffic
- Printed design layerOak, slate or limestone look
- Vinyl coreFlexible and waterproof
- AdhesiveBonds every plank to the base
- Smoothing compoundSo no ridge shows through
- Concrete or screedMoisture tested before fitting
More detail
Underfloor heating
Most ranges are approved for use over underfloor heating, with a limit on floor surface temperature that is commonly 27°C. The heating is switched off or turned down before fitting and brought back up gradually. We follow the instructions for your product.
Cleaning and maintenance
Sweep or vacuum to remove grit. Mop with a pH-neutral cleaner made for vinyl. Avoid steam mops unless the manufacturer allows them, and avoid rubber-backed mats, which can stain vinyl. Felt pads go under furniture. A damaged glue-down plank can usually be cut out and replaced.
How it compares
Against laminate
Both give a wood look. Luxury vinyl handles water far better and is quieter underfoot. Laminate usually costs less and feels harder. For kitchens and hallways, choose vinyl tile. For bedrooms on a budget, laminate is a fair choice.
Against sheet vinyl
Same base material, different format. Planks and tiles look more realistic, can be repaired one at a time, and cost more. Sheet vinyl has fewer joins and a lower price.
Against engineered wood
Engineered wood is real timber: warmer in character, refinishable, and more expensive. It needs more care around water. Vinyl tile is the practical choice. Wood is the natural one.
What affects the cost
- The range and its wear layer
- Glue-down or click
- How much subfloor preparation is needed
- Laying pattern: straight, brick bond, herringbone, borders and feature strips
- Floor area and room shape
- Removal of the existing floor
- Thresholds, trims and door trimming
Preparation is often a large share of a glue-down quote. It is also what makes the floor last.
Where we fit it
We fit luxury vinyl throughout Ipswich and in Kesgrave, Martlesham and Woodbridge. See where we work.
Luxury vinyl questions
Is LVT better than laminate?
In rooms with water or heavy traffic, yes. In dry, light-use rooms, laminate does the job for less.
How long does it last?
It depends on the wear layer, the traffic and the preparation underneath. Manufacturers publish guarantee periods for each range.
Can it go over tiles?
Sometimes, if the tiles are sound and the grout lines are filled and smoothed first.
Is it cold underfoot?
It is warmer than ceramic or stone tile and works well with underfloor heating.
Does it need underlay?
Click planks do, unless they have a built-in backing. Glue-down planks do not.
Tell us about your flooring project
Send us the rooms, approximate sizes and the floor you have in mind. We will come back to you to arrange a survey.
01473936738