When making repairs in your house or apartment, you must remember that there are no trifles, and every material used is important. This rule also applies to styrofoam adhesives. How to choose glue, which manufacturers have it better, as well as reviews about them, we will give below.
Varieties of foam adhesives
For the most effective use of foam, it is necessary that it fits as tightly as possible and is securely attached to the wall. For this purpose, special foam adhesives are used, which consist of the following types:
- Water-based adhesive - solvents (gasoline, acetone, etc.) are not allowed in the composition, as they are capable of chemically reacting with the polymer. The disadvantages of this glue include a long drying time and the inability to use at sub-zero temperatures.
- Polymeric adhesive - PVA, two-component epoxy adhesive or silicone. They stand out for their good setting speed and strength characteristics.
- Adhesive foam is a kind of polyurethane foam with improvedadhesion and bonding properties. Used for express installation.
- Liquid nails - consist of synthetic rubber with a small amount of polymers. They differ in a very high setting speed, in connection with this there is no right to make a mistake, it will be extremely difficult to correct or redo it.
- Universal adhesive - suitable for bonding all kinds of surfaces.
Each glue is good at applying in certain circumstances and bonding foam to different surfaces.
Water-based glue
This type of glue is divided into two types - glue from an aqueous solution or an aqueous suspension. In turn, the basis of glue on water can be natural or synthetic materials.
This species is the most environmentally friendly compared to others. Water perfectly wets the bonded surface and is ideal for working with rough and porous materials. They are excellent for interior work, and there are no questions about how to glue foam baseboards, moldings or other types of decoration on various surfaces.
The main disadvantage of water-based glue is the long drying time. Also, natural-based glue can be a good food for microorganisms.
There is also a temperature limitation in the use of this adhesive, so at air temperatures below +5 ° C, manufacturers do not recommend using it. The upper limit of temperature use is also indicated in the instructions, due toabilities will evaporate.
Field of application for gluing polystyrene foam with polymer adhesives
These types of glue or PVA are used for simple styrofoam gluing, such as crafts with kids. When gluing to a sheet of drawing paper, cardboard or wood, there is no question of how to glue the foam. PVA glue is a basic, inexpensive and best choice for elemental constructions.
PVA is almost equally good from any manufacturer, its composition is quite simple and consists of 90 percent polymer polyvinyl acetate. The main disadvantage of this adhesive is its low water resistance and a long drying time.
PVA glue is not recommended for use in load-bearing structures or in projects subject to stress, as it breaks down over time.
Special glue
Specially formulated Styrofoam glue is slightly more expensive than PVA and is commonly called Sturoglue. In terms of its characteristics when gluing foam to foam, paper, fabric or wood, this glue is many times superior to universal PVA. Due to its narrow specialization, Sturoglue is not very common in the trade, it can only be found in building materials stores or in public art stores.
Important - when purchasing a special glue, it is imperative to study the instructions, as you may come across a glue designed exclusively for gluing foam to foam.
Foam
A variety of foam adhesivesfor polystyrene, they are mainly produced in metal cans, which is quite convenient when using. The average area that can be insulated with one cylinder starts from 10 square meters. m.
It is necessary to apply to the glued surface of the foam using a mounting gun. This is done quite simply, and if necessary, it is no less easy to cut.
The main advantages are:
- The average setting time is 2 hours.
- Precise installation dosage.
- Easy to install.
- Best product for bonding Styrofoam to metal surfaces and smooth concrete.
- Zero expansion after application to the bonding surface, eliminates possible sheet distortion after installation.
This is the best ceiling adhesive for styrofoam, the only downside is the difficulty in cleaning the clothes from stuck adhesive.
Liquid nails
Universal adhesive capable of bonding almost anything to any dissimilar surface. One drop is able to hold weight up to 50 kg. The chemical structure of different manufacturers varies in the set of components, but they are all based on synthetic rubber.
Key benefits include:
- Guaranteed a minute and strong connection.
- Components are completely safe for the he alth of others.
- When gluing, no extra effort is needed.
- Easy to install and cost effective.
- Resistant to high and lowtemperatures.
Disadvantages of use include the presence of an unpleasant and pungent odor, so personal protective equipment must be used.
You also need to know the basis of the glue (water or organic). So glue on the water is recommended only for interior decoration, due to the ability to freeze. But this type of liquid nails is the most environmentally friendly. Due to its spot application and fast setting properties, liquid nails are the best adhesive for foam baseboards and moldings.
Universal glue
Universal glue can be used to glue together a significant number of different materials, including foam. You need to pay for this opportunity, because compared to highly specialized adhesives, it costs much more.
When choosing an all-purpose foam adhesive, you should avoid the much-touted solvent-based contact adhesives. They may react chemically with the air foam.
In addition, station wagons have a number of restrictions on use, which are indicated on the labels. So they can be non-water resistant, toxic and helpless when bonding to certain types of plastics.
Dry mixes
Choosing which adhesive to glue the foam to insulate a house or apartment, it is necessary to take into account not only the type and properties of the insulated plane, but also the requirements for further operation.
The main and unconditional leader for this work is gluefrom dry mix. The main components of bottom adhesives are mixtures of cement, mineral fillers and polymer modifiers. Diluted with ordinary water for cooking, it is the cheapest material for sticking foam over large areas.
Also, dry mixes stand out for their strength, long service life and excellent local adhesion. Benefits can be added:
- Possibility of sticking polystyrene foam on brick, concrete and plastered surfaces.
- Large temperature operating range, as well as excellent resistance to temperature extremes and atmospheric moisture.
Possibility of correcting irregularities and shortcomings of the insulated wall.
When gluing, a layer of glue is necessarily formed between the wall and the foam, which is why, choosing which glue to glue the foam skirting boards with, we can say with confidence that dry mixes are not the best option for this. Disadvantages include:
- The mixture is sold in cardboard bags and weighs up to 25 kg.
- It is necessary to pre-dilute the mixture, preparing it for use.
- Not suitable for sticking to metal surfaces.
The most important thing is that before buying glue, you need to check its suitability, since the mixtures are able to absorb moisture, and the cement mortar is taken in lumps, losing all its performance properties.
A few tips when choosing glue
- Don't opt for cheap, which meansdubious quality. A good product is always accompanied by quality certificates or documents on the conclusion of SES.
- It is necessary to study the opinions of construction specialists about a particular company and brand.
- It is undesirable to rush to buy promotional adhesives in retail stores, since these promotions most often involve expired goods.
- Don't buy cheap glue from dubious manufacturers.
As you can see, the choice of how to glue foam must be made taking into account storage conditions, especially for dry mixes and the manufacturer's company, an organization that has experience in the production of these products.
Top domestic producers
- Glue "Moment" - began its history in 1979 in Tosno, Leningrad region, manufactured under license from the German company "Henkel". At the moment, this brand is the undisputed leader among building adhesives and the most popular in Russia. "Versatile, reliable, waterproof adhesive" - these are the main customer reviews. Moment contact adhesive also truly justifies its name in terms of gluing speed, and the dry mix has deservedly earned high positive reviews for its excellent performance and affordable price.
- Titan Professional polyurethane adhesive enjoys a good reputation among the common user and highly skilled builder. This is a good adhesive for gluing Styrofoam on ceilings and baseboards. Its main advantage, according to reviews, is resistance to high humidity andsignificant differences, the adhesive will not lose its quality characteristics and adhesive capabilities.
Company "PolyChem", specializing in the production of PVA dispersion of various grades in accordance with GOST 18992-80, which ensures time-tested quality. The ability to manufacture custom-made products, including frost resistance and moisture resistance, makes this company one of the leading manufacturers of household chemicals in Russia.
Foreign manufacturers:
- The world-famous brand Ceresit from Henkel, whose products are purchased in domestic markets more than other construction brands. It has the best reviews from users and is most often recommended by consultants and builders.
- The Baumit BauContact brand is also known in reviews, which is most often referred to as the high adhesive properties of gluing and protecting various insulation materials, including polystyrene foam.
- The BauCut brand unites a group of large enterprises in the European region and specializes in the production of household chemicals. Reviews of this brand are dominated by positive statements about quality and durability, which is achieved thanks to the existing strict quality control system at all stages of production.
Conclusion
It is impossible to list in one article all the enterprises and brands produced for gluing polystyrene foam, from children's crafts to bulk insulation work. The main thing is to follow the rules and recommendations indicated on the package,which guarantees the manufacturer to apply all the properties of the selected adhesive as efficiently as possible.
