Shane Moore explores what adhesives work best in different environments.
Rather than simply selecting a floor colour or design, as industry professionals, it’s our responsibility to assess all relevant factors to ensure the longevity and durability of installations. This includes analysing the type of substrate, implementing proper preparation techniques, and evaluating the level of foot traffic and potential for heavy moving objects.
Ultimately, a comprehensive understanding of the installation environment and usage requirements will allow us to select the correct products and techniques for a successful installation.
The term ‘solar gain’ frequently comes up in the context of LVT flooring. It refers to intense natural sunlight penetrating the glazing and impinging on the flooring. Prolonged exposure to such conditions can cause the flooring to become excessively heated and, hence, dimensionally unstable, leading it to expand and exert pressure on adjacent tiles. This, in turn, gives rise to thermal cycling, where the temperature of the flooring subsequently falls.
Thermal cycling can induce expansion and contraction of the flooring, which may persist until the flooring develops gaps with its neighbouring tile or starts to lift away from the floor by pushing against its adjacent tile.
The selection of adhesives is contingent on the intended use of the area. In high-traffic or load-bearing environments, adhesives with elevated strength or tailored properties are necessary to ensure optimal performance. These specialised adhesives offer superior resistance to the stresses that may be exerted on the flooring within these settings.
Choosing the appropriate adhesive is critical to ensuring a successful installation for both the installer and the client. Despite the availability of various adhesive types compatible with all manner of flooring, it is essential to assess their suitability in the given environment.
In many instances, installations may not necessitate a specialised adhesive. However, specific conditions may demand a high bond strength and an adhesive that offers an early period of receptiveness while remaining malleable for an extended duration.
Premium adhesives fulfil these requirements. They can achieve usability within as short as five minutes of application and retain receptiveness for up to 60 minutes or more.
A product like Bostik STIX A600 EVOLUTION would be a perfect match for this situation.
Acrylic adhesives: These are a popular choice for flooring installations. These types of adhesives are known for their exceptional bonding strength and versatility. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including concrete, wood, and even some types of plastics.
One of the most popular types of acrylic adhesives for flooring is Bostik STIX A520 TEX POWER. This adhesive is specifically designed for bonding textile coverings, making it an ideal choice for carpet installations. It’s solvent-free, which means it’s more environmentally friendly and safe to use in enclosed spaces.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives: The use of pressure-sensitive adhesives, such as Bostik STIX A640 PRESSURE SENSITIVE, is highly favoured due to their numerous benefits, including effortless application, vast coverage, and extended open time.
It’s essential to note that the timely placement of luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) after applying pressure-sensitive adhesive is crucial for optimal bonding. Prolonged exposure to the adhesive may compromise its effectiveness. Furthermore, this type of adhesive isn’t advisable for installations in areas with significant solar gain.
High-temperature adhesives (HT): High-temperature adhesives provide a higher bond level and are better equipped to resist fluctuations in temperature, which can cause the floorcoverings to change dimensions. They work exceptionally well in areas that will experience high solar gain, such as bifold doors, conservatories, and atriums. Although these adhesives lose their receptiveness more quickly when compared to some other types, they generally have a shorter waiting time before placing the flooring into the adhesive. Once cured, they provide a strong bond that prevents LVTs from moving and allows the tiles to remain stable.
An example of such a product is Bostik’s new STIX A930 MULTI FIBRE, which is ideal for installations requiring extra stability. Reinforced with fibres, it’s perfect for areas that will be exposed to high solar gain or have warming properties, like underfloor heating.
PU, MS & epoxy hybrid adhesives: These are highly recommended for applications that demand exceptional bonding strength and superior performance attributes, particularly in areas that are exposed to heavy foot traffic, dynamic loads, excessive moisture, or severe temperature variations, such as a walk-in refrigeration unit. These adhesives exhibit exceptional bond strength, moisture resistance, flexibility and extreme temperature tolerance, rendering them ideal for bespoke environments. Among these, Bostik’s new hybrid adhesive STIX H900 RESIST+, with its advanced formula, is said by the company to offer outstanding performance benefits that can significantly enhance the durability and longevity of the adhesive bond.
Tackifiers: I’m referring to LVT adhesives, but not all LVTs require full bonding to the floor. In fact, there are many ‘loose-lay’ flooring options available. These tiles are specially designed with added materials to increase stability and allow them to be installed using only tackifier adhesive, such as Bostik FIX A760 TECH. This makes them easy to remove if required, and they are ideal for raised access flooring areas where access may be required underneath the tiles.
However, it’s important to note that the adhesive needs time to fully dry before applying any floorcovering. If installers allow the adhesive to work properly and dry completely, the removal of the floorcovering should be a breeze.
If you’d like to know more about what adhesives work best in different environments, get in touch to book bespoke training at the Bostik Academy. Contact the training manager, Paul Sycamore, at paul.sycamore@bostik.com, or visit www.bostik-profloor.co.uk.
shane.moore@bostik.com
www.bostik-profloor.co.uk
Shane Moore is technical consultant at Bostik
