Anyone looking for a PVC floor on the Costa Blanca will quickly encounter two different systems: dryback PVC and click PVC.

At first glance, these floors often look very similar. They are available in comparable colors, wood structures, tile decors, and herringbone patterns. Yet the difference is significant.

The difference is not only in the appearance but especially in the way the floor is installed.

At Port of Altea we work with both systems. So we do not standardly advise one type of PVC floor, but look at the home, the existing subfloor, the use of the space, and the desired final result.

Especially in Spain, that choice is important. Large sliding doors, direct sunlight, temperature differences, and existing tile floors all affect the stability of a floor. A floor that works well in the Netherlands is therefore not automatically the best choice for a home on the Costa Blanca.

What is dryback PVC?

Dryback PVC is a glued PVC floor. The strips or tiles are placed directly on the subfloor and fully glued.

This results in an exceptionally smooth and stable floor. Especially in larger spaces, luxury renovations, and herringbone floors, dryback PVC often provides the most beautiful and calm final result.

But dryback PVC also requires perfect preparation. Because the floor is glued directly to the subfloor, the PVC follows every unevenness beneath the floor exactly.

Joints, height differences, damage, and even very small unevenness become visible once the floor is glued down and the light falls across the floor.

That is why we always level the subfloor with dryback PVC. Not because it is sometimes necessary, but because it is essential for a smooth final result.

Also check out our dryback PVC floor prices in Spain.

What is click PVC?

Click PVC is not glued to the subfloor. This floor is laid floating with a click system. In Spain, this type of floor is also often called SPC.

The big advantage of click PVC is that the installation usually goes faster. In some situations, a click PVC floor can also be laid over an existing tile floor without the need for full leveling.

This makes click PVC interesting for homes and apartments where speed, comfort, and a neat renovation are important.

However, that does not mean click PVC can simply be installed anywhere. The existing floor still needs to be sufficiently flat and stable. As a guideline, we maintain that height differences should not be greater than about 2 mm.

If the existing tile floor is too uneven, we also recommend improving the subfloor first when using click PVC.

Also check out our click PVC floor prices in Spain.

Why we often recommend dryback PVC in Spain

In many Spanish homes, we recommend dryback PVC when the customer wants the tightest and most luxurious possible final result.

Especially in large open spaces, homes with a lot of direct sunlight, or herringbone floors, a glued floor often provides more calm and stability. Because the floor is fully glued, it lies tight on the subfloor and feels very solid overall.

On the other hand, preparation is more important. Dryback PVC is not a floor we “just quickly” stick over an existing tile floor. The subfloor must be thoroughly checked, prepared, and leveled.

That is more work, but it prevents exactly the problems you don’t want to see in a new floor: visible joints, noticeable unevenness, or a floor that doesn’t look tight right after installation.

Read more about leveling floors in Spain.

When is click PVC a good choice?

Click PVC is especially interesting when the existing subfloor is sufficiently flat and the customer wants a quick, neat renovation.

For many apartments, bedrooms, and living spaces, click PVC is a great solution. The floor is comfortable, low-maintenance, and less invasive to install than dryback PVC.

We wouldn’t recommend click PVC in every commercial space, but for many homes on the Costa Blanca, it’s simply a good and practical floor.

The most important thing is that the subfloor is correct. A click PVC floor can better accommodate small unevenness than dryback PVC, but it’s not a miracle cure. A bad base remains a bad base.

The subfloor makes the difference

Many problems with PVC floors are not caused by the floor itself but by what lies underneath.

Many homes on the Costa Blanca still have ceramic tile floors. At first glance, they often seem flat, but in practice, they frequently have deep joints, small height differences, or slight movement in the subfloor.

With dryback PVC, this becomes immediately visible. That’s why we always level the floor with dryback.

With click PVC, we assess per project whether the existing floor is flat enough. If not, the subfloor must be addressed first.

A beautiful floor actually starts beneath the floor.

Read more about laying PVC floors over tiles in Spain.

Herringbone PVC: dryback or click?

For herringbone floors, we usually recommend a glued dryback floor in Spain.

A herringbone pattern requires stability, precision, and a perfectly flat subfloor. Especially in larger spaces, dryback PVC often provides the calmest and most luxurious final result.

With click PVC, herringbone is also possible, but for high-quality projects, we usually prefer a glued system. The seams stay tighter, the pattern looks calmer, and the floor feels more like a single unit.

More information about herringbone PVC floors on the Costa Blanca.

Cast floor look PVC

Not everyone wants a wood look or herringbone floor. More and more customers are looking for a calm, modern floor with a concrete or cast floor appearance.

Both dryback PVC and click PVC are possible here as well. Which variant fits best again depends on the subfloor and the desired end result.

A cast floor look PVC floor is especially interesting for customers who like the calm appearance of a cast floor but prefer a practical, low-maintenance floor.

View our page about cast floor look PVC in Spain.

And what about the price?

The price structure of dryback PVC and click PVC is different.

For dryback PVC, the price consists of the floor itself, leveling, and installation. Leveling is standard in the dryback PVC method.

For click PVC, the price usually consists of the floor and the installation. Sometimes an underlay is needed, and sometimes the existing floor must still be prepared, depending on the situation.

Because the price structure is so different, we have created separate price pages for this.

View the overview of PVC floor prices in Spain.
View dryback PVC floor prices.
View click PVC floor prices.

Which PVC floor suits your home best?

There is no standard answer that applies to every home.

Sometimes dryback PVC is the best choice. Sometimes click PVC is smarter. It depends on the existing floor, the space, the use, the light, and the look you want to achieve.

That’s why we always look at the home as a whole. We don’t just want to sell a beautiful floor, but especially advise a floor that is technically sound and that you will enjoy for years.

From our showroom in Altea, we advise customers in Altea, Albir, Calpe, Benissa, Moraira, Jávea, Dénia, Benidorm, La Nucía, Alicante, Guardamar, Rojales, and Torrevieja, among others.

View all floors on the Costa Blanca.

Read more

Would you like to read more about PVC floors, prices, and preparation? Then also check these pages:

PVC floors in Spain
PVC floor prices in Spain
Dryback PVC floor prices
Click PVC floor prices
Laying PVC floor over tiles
Leveling floors in Spain
Herringbone PVC floors Costa Blanca
Cast floor look PVC in Spain

Showroom in Altea

Would you like to compare dryback PVC and click PVC? You are welcome in our showroom in Altea.

We are happy to show you the differences, explain what is technically possible in your home, and advise which floor best suits your situation.

Feel free to send photos of your existing floor or visit us for advice.

Port of Altea
PVC floors, leveling, and professional installation on the Costa Blanca.