Vent: The 10 year glue-down vs stretch-in debate at my shop in Denver

I've been installing carpet for about 15 years now (off and on). Lately I've been seeing a shift where more customers want glue-down carpet tiles instead of traditional stretch-in. My old boss swears by the tack strip method for longevity, says glue jobs always separate at the seams after 3 or 4 years. But I just did a 2,000 square foot office last month with glue-down and the seams are still butter smooth. The glue takes way longer to install though (like an extra day per room) and cleanup is a nightmare if you spill it. What do you guys see more of in your area, and have you noticed glue-down holding up better than it used to?

2 comments

2 Comments

jade7381mo agoMost Upvoted

Gotta wonder if the glue-down hype is just the latest trend that everyone will be complaining about in a few years though... Seems like every couple of years there's some new method that's supposed to be better but ends up having its own headaches. The seam thing can be hit or miss depending on the prep and the glue itself, so one job going smooth doesn't mean it's foolproof forever.

perry.karen1mo ago

Read an article that said the new glues are way better than the old stuff. Different polymers or something. Explains why seams are holding up better now.