Should you glue down your rolled rubber flooring?

Gluing Rolled Rubber Flooring The Basics: Understanding how rolled rubber is made is an important aspect of understanding when to glue the rubber down. Recycled rolled rubber flooring is made by mixing particles of rubber with a urethane binder (glue).  Which means the rubber is NOT melted down or solid; like many people think. Rolled rubber has air pockets trapped in between the rubber and bind.  These air pockets allow air/moisture to have an effect on the rubber flooring...similar to how moisture can expand and buckle a wood floor.  Areas of high humidity or hydrostatic pressure under the concrete/wood floor/sub-base can allow moisture to affect the rubber floor. This moisture can buckle and wrinkle your rolled rubber floor.

What does the glue do to help with moisture problems? Good quality moisture cured urethane adhesives have moisture barrier technology included in the glue.  This moisture barrier seals the concrete/wood substrate against moisture passing through and into your rubber floor.

Is taping down my rolled rubber going to work? Double sided carpet tape is not the manufacturer recommended method of installation.  HOWEVER, many users choose to tape the floor to avoid the cost and permanent installation of a glue down installation. Generally, double sided tape installations will perform well in dry climates and on substrates that are sealed against moisture. If you have concrete or substrate with a moisture problem; you should seal the substrate prior to laying the rolled rubber flooring.  Then you can likely install your rolls without the moisture causing buckling and wrinkling. Ultimately, you are taking responsibility for installing the rubber flooring incorrectly when you use tape.  But there are certain precautions to maximize your chances of success.