Double Stick vs. Direct Glue vs. Stretch-In

Commercial broadloom carpet is installed one of three ways. The right choice comes down to traffic, comfort, acoustics, and how stable the floor needs to be.

Stretch-In

Carpet is stretched over a separate cushion and held by tack strip around the perimeter. It is the most comfortable underfoot and the standard for guest rooms and lower-traffic private spaces. The cushion is held in place with a pad adhesive; the carpet itself is not glued across the field, so it can be replaced relatively easily.

• Best for — Guest rooms, offices, and private spaces
• Trade-off — Can ripple or buckle under heavy rolling-wheel traffic
• Adhesive — Pad adhesive to secure the cushion

Double Stick (Double Glue)

The cushion is glued to the subfloor and the carpet is glued to the cushion. This keeps the comfort and acoustics of a cushion while adding the dimensional stability needed for corridors and public space with carts and luggage.

• Best for — Corridors, lobbies, and public space with rolling traffic
• Needs two adhesives — Multi-purpose carpet-to-pad plus pressure-sensitive pad-to-floor
• Plus — Seam sealer at every seam

Direct Glue

Carpet is glued directly to the subfloor with no cushion. It is the most dimensionally stable and the lowest profile, which suits the heaviest rolling traffic, but it gives up the comfort and sound absorption of a cushion.

• Best for — Heaviest rolling traffic and low-profile transitions
• Trade-off — Less comfort and lower acoustic performance
• Adhesive — Multi-purpose adhesive plus seam sealer