I’ve been within the flooring trade for greater than 50 years. In that point, each hardwood flooring and their adhesives have advanced. Over time, conventional narrow-width, 3/4″ thick, long-strip oak flooring has given option to wide-width planks, engineered hardwood, tropical wooden species, and bamboo. Cutback and chlorinated solvent adhesives have given option to decrease VOC and more healthy adhesive options.
NEEDS WILL VARY
The wants of those new hardwood flooring merchandise can range relying on the width, species, substrate, and surroundings that the flooring will stay in. Large-width and lengthy planks are less-forgiving to substrate irregularities. These massive format planks will are inclined to bridge substrate irregularities, leading to hole spots and even deflection. Flattening the substrate per trade pointers and utilizing the advisable trowel for extensive and lengthy planks will go a good distance in stopping hole spots and deflection. Some adhesive producers is not going to assure a few of their adhesives with tropical wooden species or sure sorts of bamboo. Reviewing the technical information sheets for the flooring and adhesive earlier than beginning a venture is all the time a good suggestion. You all the time ought to contact technical providers when you’ve got questions when working with a product for the primary time.
Earlier than you decide to a glue-down software, guarantee the chosen flooring may be put in as a glue-down. I’ve spoken to many installers who’ve been put in a no-win scenario with a nail-down-only product offered as glue down over concrete.
KNOW YOUR MARKET
It is advisable to know what environmental challenges the flooring will expertise. Some markets can expertise vital swings in humidity from summer season to winter. Utilizing an elastomeric adhesive is crucial since this can permit the flooring to develop or contract with seasonal humidity fluctuations. The most typical elastomeric adhesives are modified silane and urethane adhesives. A significant benefit of those adhesives is that they don’t include moisture. I favor modified silane adhesives since they offer the advantages of a urethane adhesive with out the tough cleanup. That’s as a result of modified silane adhesives don’t include isocyanates like conventional urethanes.
TYPES OF ADHESIVES
Urethane adhesives usually are advisable when gluing down strong tropical hardwood species and strong bamboo, together with vertical, horizontal, and strand since they typically are moisture-sensitive. Water-based acrylic and solvent-based adhesives additionally can be found available on the market. Water-based adhesives must be used solely with engineered hardwood flooring that’s not moisture-sensitive in areas the place moisture just isn’t a priority. Earlier than you decide to a glue-down software, guarantee the chosen flooring may be put in as a glue-down. I’ve spoken to many installers who’ve been put in a no-win scenario with a nail-down-only product offered as glue down over concrete.
For extra details about adhesives, try the NWFA’s Set up Pointers at nwfa.org/technical-guidelines/.
MOISTURE ISSUES
In case your space is vulnerable to substrate moisture points or you might be doing new building, utilizing a moisture management adhesive is all the time a great protocol. You all the time ought to do a moisture take a look at earlier than beginning a venture to make sure that the moisture management adhesive chosen can deal with the problems that the slab has. At all times take into account the grade of the slab. On-grade or below-grade slabs are extra vulnerable to moisture points. I all the time suggest contemplating the age of the slab whenever you moisture take a look at. If in case you have excessive moisture emitting from a brand new slab, it’s affordable to imagine it is going to diminish over time.
You additionally ought to know the constructing code in your space relating to under-slab vapor boundaries. Most adhesive producers require a slab poured immediately on an under-slab vapor barrier per ASTM E1745. There are some areas the place the constructing code doesn’t require an under-slab vapor barrier and others that also permit for a granular (blotter) layer between the slab and the vapor barrier. Further precautions must be taken in areas with these outdated constructing codes when choosing a moisture management adhesive or one other moisture management system.
USING GLUE WITH NAIL-DOWN
In case your market primarily is nailed down, chances are you’ll not suppose a lot about adhesives. As client tastes have advanced to wider and longer planks, adhesives have develop into more and more essential, even for nail-down purposes. Utilizing a glue-assist when nailing down extensive and lengthy planks can prevent money and time by lowering callbacks. NWFA Pointers now counsel glue-assist on any plank wider than 5”. The first goal of glue-assist merchandise is to scale back or stop friction squeaks between the flooring and the substrate. I do know many installers who’ve gone to full-spread installations for extensive and lengthy planks over plywood substrates to scale back squeak complaints.
Gary Scheidker is director of technical providers for Taylor Adhesives, Meridian Adhesives Group. He has been within the flooring trade since 1970. In that point, Scheidker has been a flooring installer, estimator, retail salesperson, retailer proprietor, distributor territory supervisor, regional supervisor, and now director of technical providers. He could also be reached at gscheidker@tayloradhesives.com.
