Drop and Click Vinyl vs Loose Lay Vinyl

Drop and Click Vinyl and Loose Lay Vinyl are two of the most popular choices when it comes to vinyl flooring. To help you choose wisely, we’ve compiled all of the information that you need to help you make an informed decision.

Luxury vinyl is becoming one of the most popular flooring solutions in interior design due to its attractive styles, durability, low maintenance and inexpensive cost. Two of the favourite options when it comes to vinyl flooring are Drop and Click Vinyl and Loose Lay Vinyl. Both offer different installation processes and different qualities which might make one better suited to your home than the other. 

To help you out, we’ve taken a deep dive into all things Drop and Click Vinyl and Loose Lay Vinyl so that you can make an informed decision and choose the best flooring for you and your home. 

Why is Vinyl Flooring a Good Choice for Your Home?

Vinyl flooring is one of the most durable options when it comes to flooring which makes it a great choice for high traffic areas and busy homes. However, the main selling point is that it is significantly more affordable than other flooring types such as wood or ceramic tiles, all while maintaining high quality and stylish designs. Making vinyl flooring an excellent choice for those who are working with a budget.

Drop and Click Vinyl and Loose Lay Vinyl are two examples of durable vinyl flooring, but which is the best option for you?

Drop and Click Vinyl

Similarly to Laminate flooring, Drop and Click Vinyl flooring is a floating floor system that connects together using tabs on each side of the panels, These tabs ‘click’ together (hence the name) which allows them to stay firmly and securely in place without having to rely on adhesive. This installation can take slightly longer as you will need to shift each plank around so that joins are nice and tight. However, most people with DIY experience will be able to install Drop and Click vinyl flooring, which means you don’t have to worry about the expense of hiring a professional.

Drop and click vinyl flooring is especially great at mimicking the look of hardwood floors. Their thicker design makes them sturdier and allows for a more realistic appearance. This thicker design also makes drop and click vinyl much comfier underfoot.

Whilst drop and click flooring offers an easy installation, it can be very difficult to remove if you decide to change your flooring. This is due to the interlocking design which can make the planks difficult to separate, resulting in a time consuming removal.

Loose Lay Vinyl

Loose Lay Vinyl flooring is also installed without glue as the flooring is held in place by its own weight. The design of loose lay vinyl tiles is much thicker, making them heavy enough to be able to stay in place. This results in a very quick and easy installation and you do not need to rely on any adhesive or tricky tongue and groove methods. Which means almost anyone will be able to install Loose Lay Vinyl themselves. 

As Loose Lay Vinyl is made up of different layers, you can still expect to achieve that same authentic look that you would typically get with hardwood floors. However, these layers make loose lay vinyl feel much firmer and uncomfortable underfoot, which means they might not be the best for bedrooms or bathrooms.

Unlike Drop and Click Vinyl, Loose Lay Vinyl is very easy to remove and replace. As the planks are not secured by any adhesive or ‘clicking’ system, all you need to do is lift the planks and remove them, which means if one becomes damaged, you don’t need to worry about removing and potentially damaging the surrounding planks.

Drop and Click Vinyl vs Loose Lay Vinyl

Vinyl flooring is a great option to consider if you want to make an impact by incorporating attractive designs whilst sticking to a budget. However, you should bear in mind that some vinyl flooring can devalue a space due it's properties. But if your new vinyl flooring looks the part and is suitable for you and your home then you shouldn't let this factor affect your decision.