Dryback vs. click PVC in Spain

Anyone looking for PVC flooring on the Costa Blanca will soon 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 textures, tile designs, and herringbone patterns. Nevertheless, the difference is significant.

The difference lies not only in the appearance, but mainly in how the floor is installed.

At Port of Altea, we work with both systems. We therefore do not automatically recommend one type of PVC flooring, but consider the property, the existing subfloor, how the space will be used, and the desired final result.

Especially in Spain, this choice is important. Large sliding doors, direct sunlight, temperature differences, and existing tiled floors all affect a floor’s stability. A floor that works perfectly 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-down PVC floor. The planks or tiles are placed directly on the subfloor and fully glued down.

This creates an exceptionally smooth and stable floor. Especially in larger spaces, luxury renovations, and herringbone floors, dryback PVC often delivers 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 irregularity beneath it exactly.

Joints, height differences, damage, and even very small irregularities become visible once the floor has been glued down and light falls across it.

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

Also view our dryback PVC flooring prices in Spain.

What is click PVC?

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

The major advantage of click PVC is that installation is usually faster. In some situations, a click PVC floor can also be installed over an existing tiled floor without requiring complete leveling.

That makes click PVC an attractive option for homes and apartments where speed, comfort, and a neat renovation are important.

However, that does not mean click PVC can simply be installed over anything. The existing floor must still be sufficiently level and stable. As a guideline, we maintain that height differences should not exceed approximately 2 mm.

If the existing tiled floor is too uneven, we also recommend improving the subfloor before installing click PVC.

Also view our click PVC flooring prices in Spain.

Why we often recommend dryback PVC in Spain

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

Especially in large open spaces, homes with lots of direct sunlight, or herringbone floors, a glued-down floor often provides greater calm and stability. Because the floor is fully glued down, it lies tightly against the subfloor and feels very solid overall.

The trade-off is that the preparation is more important. Dryback PVC is not a floor that we can simply “quickly” glue over an existing tiled floor. The subfloor must be thoroughly inspected, prepared, and leveled.

That involves more work, but it prevents exactly the problems you do not want to see in a new floor: visible joints, noticeable imperfections, or a floor that already looks uneven immediately after installation.

Read more about floor leveling in Spain.

When is click PVC a good choice?

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

For many apartments, bedrooms, and living spaces, click PVC is an excellent solution. The floor is comfortable, easy to maintain, and less invasive to install than dryback PVC.

We would not recommend click PVC for every commercial space, but for many homes on the Costa Blanca, it is simply a good and practical flooring option.

The most important thing is that the subfloor is suitable. A click PVC floor can accommodate minor imperfections better than dryback PVC, but it is not a miracle solution. A poor base remains a poor base.

The subfloor makes all the difference

Many problems with PVC flooring are not caused by the flooring itself, but by what lies underneath.

Many homes on the Costa Blanca still have ceramic tile floors throughout. At first glance, they often appear level, but in practice they regularly have deep grout lines, slight height differences or minor movement in the subfloor.

With dryback PVC, this becomes immediately apparent. That is why we always level the subfloor for dryback installations.

With click PVC, we assess for each project whether the existing floor is level enough. If it is not, the subfloor must also be prepared first.

A beautiful floor starts underneath the floor.

Read more about installing PVC flooring over tiles in Spain.

Herringbone PVC: dryback or click?

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

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

Herringbone is also possible with click PVC, but for high-end projects we generally prefer a glued system. The joints remain tighter, the pattern looks more balanced and the floor feels more like one continuous surface.

More information about herringbone PVC flooring on the Costa Blanca.

Concrete-look PVC

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

Both dryback PVC and click PVC are possible in this style. Which option is best depends on the subfloor and the desired end result.

A concrete-look PVC floor is particularly appealing to customers who like the understated appearance of a poured floor but prefer a practical, easy-to-maintain floor.

View our page about concrete-look PVC flooring in Spain.

And what about the price?

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

With dryback PVC, the price consists of the flooring itself, levelling and installation. Levelling is a standard part of the installation process for dryback PVC.

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

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

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

Which PVC flooring is best suited to your home?

There is no standard answer that applies to every home.

Sometimes dryback PVC is the best choice. Sometimes click PVC is the smarter option. It depends on the existing floor, the room, how it will be used, the natural light, and the look you want to achieve.

That is why we always look at the home as a whole. We do not just want to sell you a beautiful floor, but above all recommend a floor that is technically suitable and that you will enjoy for many 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 other locations.

View all flooring on the Costa Blanca.

Read more

Would you like to read more about PVC flooring, prices, and preparation? Then also take a look at these pages:

PVC flooring in Spain
PVC flooring prices in Spain
Dryback PVC flooring prices
Click PVC flooring prices
Installing PVC flooring over tiles
Floor levelling in Spain
Herringbone PVC flooring on the Costa Blanca
Concrete-look PVC flooring in Spain

Showroom in Altea

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

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

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

Port of Altea
PVC flooring, floor levelling, and professional installation on the Costa Blanca.

Also view the complete overview of flooring on the Costa Blanca.