What is commercial LVT?
Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and luxury vinyl plank are layered vinyl products with a printed design and a clear wear layer on top. They can look like wood, stone or abstract patterns while standing up to commercial traffic. Papa Flooring provides commercial LVT installation in Vancouver and across the Lower Mainland, along with commercial vinyl flooring, office vinyl plank installation in Burnaby and beyond, and sheet vinyl for clinics and wet areas.
Commercial vinyl performs well only when it is installed over a flat, dry, clean subfloor with the right adhesive. That part of the job is where we spend our attention.
Glue-down vs loose-lay vs click
LVT comes in three installation formats:
- Glue-down (dryback): fully adhered to the subfloor. Stable under rolling loads, temperature changes and heavy traffic, and individual planks can be replaced.
- Loose-lay: heavy-backed planks held mostly by friction, often with a grid or perimeter of adhesive. Useful for raised access floors and some quick refurbishments.
- Click (floating): planks lock together and float over an underlay. Common in residential settings.
For most commercial spaces we recommend glue-down. Floating floors can move, gap or peak under chair casters, carts and pallet jacks, and large open areas often need expansion breaks that interrupt the look. Glue-down installation stays put.
Wear layer and rolling loads
The wear layer is measured in mils. As a general guide, commercial spaces typically call for a wear layer of around 20 mil or more, with heavier-traffic areas such as corridors, retail floors and healthcare often specified thicker. Rolling loads such as office chairs, hospital beds, carts and pallet jacks put concentrated stress on the floor, which is another reason glue-down is preferred. We check the manufacturer's rating for the use you have in mind and recommend chair mats or caster types where needed.
Our process
Moisture testing
Concrete slabs release moisture, and too much moisture breaks down adhesives and can cause curling, bubbling and odours. We test slabs using in-situ relative humidity probes to ASTM F2170 and compare the readings to the flooring and adhesive manufacturer's limits.
Flatness and subfloor prep
Vinyl is thin and shows what is underneath. Ridges, trowel marks and old adhesive can telegraph through. We grind high spots, patch low areas and apply self-levelling underlayment where the floor is out of tolerance. Our subfloor prep and levelling service covers this in detail.
Adhesive selection
We use the adhesive the flooring manufacturer specifies for the conditions. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are common for LVT. High-moisture adhesives are available where slab readings are elevated but within the product's range. When moisture exceeds those limits, a mitigation system is applied first.
Installation and transitions
We lay out the floor to balance cuts at walls and doorways, then roll the floor to set the adhesive. Where LVT meets carpet tile, we plan matching heights and use appropriate transition strips so there is no trip edge.
Acoustic underlay for multi-storey buildings
In offices, mixed-use and multi-storey buildings, hard flooring can transmit impact noise to the floor below. Strata rules and building specifications often set acoustic requirements. We can install an acoustic underlay rated for glue-down vinyl, or LVT with an attached acoustic backing, so the floor meets the project's sound requirements.
Sheet vinyl with heat-welded seams
Sheet vinyl comes in wide rolls and is installed with very few seams. Those seams can be heat-welded with a matching vinyl rod, creating a continuous, watertight surface. Combined with flash coving up the wall, sheet vinyl is the standard choice for exam rooms, washrooms and other areas that need easy disinfection. See our safety and healthcare flooring page for more.
Choosing the right option
| Use case | LVT (glue-down) | Sheet vinyl | Carpet tile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open office work areas | Good | Fair | Best for acoustics |
| Corridors and lobbies | Best | Good | Fair |
| Retail floors | Best | Good | Limited |
| Clinics and exam rooms | Good | Best with welded seams | Not recommended |
| Washrooms and wet areas | Fair | Best with flash coving | Not recommended |
| Classrooms | Good | Good | Good for quieter rooms |
| Meeting rooms | Good | Fair | Best for sound |
Where it works best
- Offices and tenant improvements
- Retail stores and showrooms
- Clinics and healthcare spaces
- Schools, common areas and amenity rooms
We install commercial vinyl across the region, including office towers in Vancouver, business parks in Burnaby and clinics in North Vancouver.
Planning your project
We begin with a site assessment, moisture testing and a review of your specification or drawings. You get a line-item proposal, a single point of contact and a schedule that can include after-hours, weekend or phased installation for occupied buildings. To start, Request a Consultation or send us your drawings.
Frequently asked questions
Why do you recommend glue-down LVT for commercial spaces?
Glue-down LVT stays stable under rolling loads, heavy traffic and temperature changes, and damaged planks can be replaced individually. Floating click floors can shift or gap in large or busy commercial areas.
What wear layer do I need for commercial vinyl flooring?
Commercial spaces typically use a wear layer of around 20 mil or more, with thicker wear layers for heavy-traffic areas. We check the manufacturer's rating against how the space will be used.
Do you test the slab for moisture before installing LVT?
Yes. We use in-situ relative humidity testing to ASTM F2170 and compare results to the manufacturer's limits before choosing an adhesive or mitigation system.
Can you install office vinyl plank in Burnaby after hours?
Yes. We schedule office vinyl installations after hours, on weekends or in phases so your team can keep working.
When is sheet vinyl better than LVT?
Sheet vinyl with heat-welded seams and flash coving creates a continuous, watertight surface, which makes it the better choice for clinics, washrooms and areas that are cleaned and disinfected often.