Does New Brunswick LVP click lock or glue down?

In New Brunswick, click-lock LVP is by far the most common installation method for residential projects, and it's the right choice for most NB homes. Glue-down LVP is used in specific commercial or high-stress applications but is rarely the best option for typical NB homeowners.

Click-lock (floating) LVP works exceptionally well in New Brunswick's climate because the floor is free to expand and contract as a single unit across NB's dramatic seasonal humidity swings. When your home drops to 25% RH in a January cold snap and climbs back to 65% in August, a floating floor moves with those changes without buckling or gapping. The key is leaving proper 8-12mm expansion gaps around all walls, cabinets, door frames, and fixed objects — NB's humidity range makes this more critical here than in drier inland provinces. Undersized gaps are the number one cause of LVP buckling in NB homes during summer.

SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) core is the click-lock product you want for New Brunswick conditions. SPC is dimensionally rigid and virtually unaffected by temperature and humidity changes, making it ideal for NB's seasonal extremes. WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) core is softer underfoot but expands slightly more with temperature — still a good product, but SPC handles NB conditions with more consistency. Brands like COREtec, Shaw Floorte, and Mannington Adura are well-regarded and widely available through NB flooring suppliers.

Glue-down LVP is typically reserved for commercial spaces with heavy rolling loads (retail, healthcare, offices), installations over radiant heat where a floating floor would trap too much heat, or situations where floor height is extremely restricted. The downside in an NB residential context is that glue-down floors are much harder to remove and replace, and if moisture gets under a glued floor on a concrete slab — which is a real risk in NB basements — it can cause adhesive failure and edge lifting across large areas.

For NB basements specifically, click-lock SPC LVP over a dimpled drainage membrane (like Delta-FL) is the gold standard. The membrane creates an air gap between the concrete and the flooring, allowing moisture vapour to escape rather than accumulate under the floor. Never glue LVP directly to an NB basement slab without thorough moisture testing — calcium chloride or RH probe testing is worth the $50-$150 investment before committing to any installation method below grade.

Click-lock LVP is also one of the most DIY-friendly flooring options available. A homeowner comfortable with basic tools can tackle a single room or basement installation with good results. For larger open-concept spaces (500+ sq ft), complex layouts with lots of angles, or installations over radiant heat, a professional installer will get better results with expansion planning and pattern consistency.

Fully installed, quality click-lock LVP in New Brunswick runs $5-$12/sq ft depending on the product and project complexity. If you're ready to get quotes, New Brunswick Flooring can match you with local installers for free — or browse contractors through the New Brunswick Construction Network directory at newbrunswickconstructionnetwork.com/directory?trade=flooring.