Parquet adhesive: how to choose the right composition?

The main functions of the glue

In order for the laminate to be securely fixed and not damaged by improperly selected glue, you should approach its selection very carefully. The glue must be fully compatible with the laminate, meet all the requirements for fixing the coating and perfectly retain its adhesive properties for many years. Now we will tell you what the main types of glue are, as well as the criteria for its selection.

Such consumable material as glue is necessary both to increase the aesthetic appeal of the coating and for its additional protection. After all, even a modern interlocking laminate, which is laid with a glueless method, has unprotected joints.

Sealing the seams in this case allows several times to increase the service life of the coating - gaps in such a floor will not appear, because with the help of glue you will literally "preserve" the ends.

Varieties of laminate glue

Today there are four main types of adhesives that are excellent for laminates and similar materials. So, what varieties exist:

Water-dispersion glue is a rather controversial variety, since the quality directly depends on the manufacturers and the special elements that they will add there to increase the resistance, adhesion, durability and others.

A resin based adhesive is the most suitable for this purpose. It has a high degree of resistance to moisture, very firmly connects the elements, retains its properties for a long time and perfectly resists chemical elements and other things.

Two-component adhesives - has the highest performance on a par with resin-based adhesives. The main advantage of this material is that there is no need for a surface primer before application, which significantly saves you money.

Laying the laminate on one-component glue - it has high ductility, elasticity, viscosity and strength. Does not cause irritation and does not release any odor into the environment. Great for apartment buildings, as the composition is completely free of water.

Durable and elastic, odorless, easy to apply and clean, can be used with the "warm floor" system. However, it must be applied on a carefully leveled base.

What kind of glue to glue the laminate, types and composition of adhesive mixtures for laminate

When asked if laminate flooring adhesive is needed, the answers are ambiguous. However, you need to know that the adhesive method of laying the laminate provides a stronger connection and additional protection of the joints of laminated panels from moisture penetration and other aggressive influences. Nevertheless, before deciding how to glue the laminate, you need to have an idea about the properties of adhesives and the features of their use.

According to its composition, laminate glue is divided into several types. It:

• Water-dispersive adhesive mixtures.
• Adhesives based on synthetic resins.
• Two-component polyurethane adhesives.
• One-component polymer-based adhesives.

When laying the laminate on glue, it is strictly forbidden to use water-based glue mixtures (PVA and other similar adhesives), as this can lead to damage to the panels and a violation of the tightness of the joints.

Which adhesive is suitable for the laminate, depending on the operating conditions and other requirements for the flooring, you can determine by finding out the characteristics and properties of various types of adhesives.

Water-dispersion adhesive mixtures for laminate

In the event that the installation of the laminate will be carried out on our own and with funds, it is these universal mixtures that are best suited. Water-dispersion adhesive for laminate is intended for "floating" laying - gluing panels together without gluing them to the base of the floor. The cost of such adhesive mixtures depends on the additives that are used in the production of the adhesive, as well as on the manufacturer.

As additives, the composition of the water-dispersion adhesive may include:

• Water repellent additives.
• Coloring pigments.
• Polyvinyl acetates.
• Polyvinyl acetates.

Installation work using water-dispersion adhesive mixtures is recommended to be carried out in conditions of medium humidity at a temperature of at least 15 ° C.

Synthetic resin adhesives

The use of compositions based on synthetic resins for installing the laminate on glue guarantees the resistance of the flooring to moisture, its strength and durability. It is not recommended to use such adhesive mixtures when laying laminate flooring with a thickness of up to 14 mm. Most often, glue based on synthetic resins is used for additional processing of joint joints and ensuring the solidity of the floor covering.

Two-component polyurethane adhesives

When gluing laminate flooring, two-component polyurethane waterproof adhesive mixtures are perfect. Two-component laminate adhesive does not require pre-treatment of the ends of the panels, as well as their primer before installation, and in addition, it guarantees excellent adhesion and hardens quickly. Cross-linked polyvinyl acetate is used as a bonding element in such adhesive mixtures, which provides the bond strength and durability of the floor covering.

One-component polymer-based adhesives

Polymeric one-component laminate adhesive is free from water and solvents. The conditions for using this adhesive require a strong, even and dry substrate.

One-component polymer-based adhesives cure very quickly, so any surplus should be removed immediately after installation of each subsequent panel.

Criterias of choice

In order to correctly and quickly choose a cleaning tool that will last at least several years, pay attention to the functional component of the mop, the body material, the size of the attachments and other characteristics of the device.

Body materials

Modern mops are usually made of plastic or metal. The classic option is wood. Steel or aluminum, as well as wooden bases, are more durable - such a tool will last for years.

Plastic is a brittle material that often breaks off at the joints of parts. When choosing, it is better to give preference to more durable case materials.

Spin modes

Types of mops for washing laminate flooring differ in the way of wringing:

• twisting - butterfly mechanism;
• automatic spin lever;
• manual spin.

The more technological the unit is, the higher its price. Some models are equipped with filters, and the bucket contains a special mesh for hand wringing.

Working surface size

The choice of nozzle and its size directly depends on the number of corners in the room and the area of ​​the working surface. For apartments, small, maneuverable devices with a swivel mechanism are best suited, with thin nozzles that can remove dirt in hard-to-reach places.

Material and type of nozzle

It is important for the laminate that the nozzle is made of a soft material that does not leave scratches or microdamages on the delicate surface. For laminate, nozzles are suitable from:

• microfiber;
• rubber;
• cotton.

With a short pile and a homogeneous material, the flooring does not leave streaks or stains

It is important that the canvas absorbs moisture well.

New technologies

Steam cleaners and electric mops are great options for laminate floors.If the price does not scare you, then they should be purchased. There will be no streaks, the floor will be additionally cleaned of bacteria, there will be no scratches on the capricious surface. In addition, with the help of modern steam cleaners, you can wash upholstered furniture and carpets.

Advantages of mastic

If you need really serious protection of the laminate after installation, it is best to use a special mastic that has additional flavoring additives. Locks become more resistant and get better quality. When all actions are followed according to the rules, moisture and dust will not penetrate into the flooring. With mastic, you can achieve the following goals:

1. Humidity protection guarantee.
2. All floor elements are connected firmly and reliably.
3. External mechanical impact does not threaten the floor covering.
4. Dust will not start to accumulate on the lamellas themselves.

If it is known that at the time of purchase of the material it has already been treated with special means for protection, then the use of mastic should be abandoned. Improving the quality is unlikely to succeed, but you can easily damage the flooring.

If various defects appear on the surface of the laminate during operation, solid mastic will help perfectly. The application of the product is carried out only on the area that is damaged. At the end of the work, the surface is thoroughly polished using any available means (fluffy piece of fabric). Mastic residues may remain on the lamellas. In this case, they are removed with a plastic spatula.

Highest quality brands of laminate adhesive

The same adhesives are used for the laminate as for parquet and other wood-based flooring.

Name	Description of characteristics	approximate cost
BASF FAST 3000	Two-component, universal application. The recommended consumption is up to 1.2 kg / m2, the strength gains in 24 hours, the time of use after preparation is 60 minutes. Has a minimum amount of harmful fumes.	2500 RUB / 8.2 kg
SIPOL	Made in Italy, it is characterized by increased adhesion to all building materials, including concrete screeds. After mixing the components, it is suitable for use for 2 hours, which makes it easier to install the laminate in rooms of complex configuration. It can be used in floors with various types of heating systems.	RUB 3000/10 kg
ADESIV PELPREN PL6	Two-component, after cooking, you can work for 2.5 hours. Easily removed from the surface of the laminate, free from moisture and solvents. It features minimal shrinkage and high moisture resistance.	3800 RUB / 10 kg
LEGNOPOL 2000	Made in Germany, has numerous positive reviews from builders. Odorless, plastic, used in heating systems. Two-component, consumption up to 1.2 kg / m2.	3700 RUB / 10 kg
U BOND X-TREME	Produced in Italy, one-component, made on the basis of polyurethane. Withstands extreme loads and adverse operating conditions, has excellent adhesion to all types of laminate.	7350 RUB / 15 kg
ECOSIMP	Silane, made using Scandinavian technology. Due to the elasticity, the internal stresses of the lamellas are relieved, the risks of swelling of the floors are minimized. Peel strength 2.4 N / m, which is much better than the nearest competitors. Can be used in rooms with high humidity and risk of flooding.	7400 RUB / 14 kg
FORBO 157 MS	One component, made in Switzerland based on silane. Free of solvents and water, odorless. Open time 25 minutes, consumption up to 1 kg / m2. Complete drying time 48 hours, can be used for the arrangement of heated floors.	5700 RUB / 16 kg
ADECON E3 ADESIV	Dispersion, water-based, has high strength and adhesion rates. Open time 30 minutes, consumption 1.2 kg / m2, final hardening occurs 20 days after the end of the work.	RUB 6730/25 kg
POVICOL	The curing time is not more than 78 hours, the open time is up to 20 minutes. It has a low cost with acceptable performance characteristics. In terms of environmental parameters, it meets the EN 14236 2006 standard.	4100 RUB / 25 kg
SikaBond T 54 FC parquet	Made in Switzerland, one-component, characterized by increased elasticity, which allows you to remove the internal loads of the lamellas. Minimizes the risks of separation, consumption up to 1.3 kg / m2.	8500 RUB / 13 kg

We have already mentioned that laminate adhesive can be used to seal joints and fix the lamellas to the substrate. Let's look at both use cases.

Types of glue by type of base

Depending on the type of base on which the wallpaper is applied, the appropriate type of glue is selected. Using the correct adhesive for the backing will ensure that the wallpaper adheres securely and evenly. The difference between all types of glue lies in the composition, consistency and method of application.

Paper

The most common option for wall decoration is to cover paper wallpaper with PVA glue. The substance is produced as a white mixture. Before use, you only need to dilute the mixture to the required consistency in accordance with the attached instructions. Apply paper glue to the back of the material. In case of contact with the front part of the canvas, wipe it off with a slightly damp sponge.

Non-woven

When buying non-woven glue, it is important to correctly calculate the consumption of the substance in order to avoid unnecessary costs. This glue can be used for paper and two-layer non-woven coatings, but in the first case, the consumption will be 2 times higher

To decorate a standard room, you will need to dilute about 200 g of the substance in 5 liters of liquid.

Non-woven glue differs from paper glue in an improved quality indicator, since starch ether is used as a raw material for its production. The component enhances the consistency of the mixture, adds viscosity, influences the properties of flow and moisture retention. The amount of starch added to the adhesive is manufacturer-specific and adjusted to obtain the optimum structural viscosity. The starch esters present in the composition are completely compatible with other substances, since they are chemically inert.

Universal

It is advisable to purchase a universal type of glue when decorating a room with several types of coatings. The product is suitable for rolls of any size and density. Firm fixation on walls is achieved through the addition of synthetic resins and various chemical impurities to the composition. The ability to use with any material is the main advantage of the all-purpose adhesive. The disadvantages of this substance include:

• higher cost in comparison with glue for a certain type of base;
• the presence of harmful components in the composition.

Specialized

A specialized type of glue is a dispersion solution with increased characteristics. It is often used for fiberglass and fabric wallpapers. The glue has strong adhesion, therefore, if it is necessary to dismantle the coating, it will be necessary to use solvents.

Also, specialized glue with an indicator has become widespread in the construction market. With the help of coloring components, the solution acquires a pinkish tint, thanks to which you can easily control the uniformity of application to the surface of the base or canvas. This dye does not stain and does not penetrate the front side of the wallpaper, since it is neutralized during drying.

Laminate care

It is easy to care for the natural surface. Necessary:

1. Wipe down every day with a dry cloth or sweep the floor surface with a soft brush.
2. After wet cleaning, they pass again with a dry cloth along the slats.
3. Refuse to walk on the floor in high-heeled shoes.
4. Place a mat near the doors to prevent sand or dirt particles from scratching the floor. You cannot lay rugs on a rubberized basis, otherwise it is difficult to remove the stains formed under them later.
5. Remove water and stains from the coating immediately.
6. Regularly check the condition of the central heating radiator valve to prevent possible leaks.
7. Stick protective felt on the chair legs.
8. Avoid painting the floor with varnish or paint.

If you follow the operation of the laminate, take care of the coating, then it will need to be changed less often.

How to wash properly

There are rules for cleaning the premises. Every day they sweep the floor, removing small debris, and wet surface treatment is needed in order to clean the rooms of dust. And here you need to have special skills in order to carry out the procedure cleanly, without streaks.

It is important to choose special detergents, a rag

Pre-cleaning

Wet cleaning begins with cleaning the laminated surfaces from coarse and fine debris accumulated in the corners of the room:

1. Pieces of plastic, glass, plasticine, scattered by children, are collected with their hands.
2. Free the floor from carpets, chairs.
3. Brush dust from wallpaper, cobwebs from the ceiling.
4. Vacuuming upholstered furniture or passing through fabrics with a steam cleaner.
5. Laminate flooring is swept or vacuumed.

Only after cleaning from dust and debris, they start washing the floor.

Stamps

It is much easier to lay the laminate if you use special adhesive mixtures for this material. A lot of them are produced by its manufacturers. Among the many brands of glue are in great demand:

• Tomzit P640;
• Cleo Laminate;
• Kisel.

Thomsit (Thomsit P640)

Tomzit P640 is an adhesive mixture that occupies a leading position in this market segment relative to competing brands. Polymer composition, which is a liquid dispersed system. It contains no organic solvent. The adhesive layer dries quickly, ensuring high adhesion. Thomsit P640 is designed to be applied to grooves and ridges of laminate flooring while removing excess.

Kleo Laminat

Kleo Laminat is a French brand of a product manufactured in Russia. The composition is designed specifically for the creation of laminated flooring. Possesses good adhesion, strong enough and moisture resistant.

Kisel (Kiesel Bakit NF)

Waterproof glue Bakit NF of the German brand Kisel is designed for laying laminate flooring on a wooden floor. A dispersed composition that does not contain solvents, with a low level of emission, is used for gluing pins and grooves of laminate and chipboard joints.

Other

The Titan brand has proven itself well in its work. With high humidity and temperature fluctuations, its adhesive capacity does not decrease. The colorless solidified titan becomes transparent. Therefore, it can be used as a joint sealant for laminate flooring.

Various types of adhesives are produced under the Tytan brand. For example, liquid nails or glue of this brand are specially designed for convenient gluing of lamellas, since they are produced in tubes inserted into a nail gun.

Features of the selection of wallpaper for laminate

When choosing wallpaper for flooring, you should first of all take into account its color scheme.

Red tint

This category includes tones such as cherry and milanese. An addition to this coating is considered wallpaper decorated with bright red flowers. It is permissible to choose yellow wallpaper for the nursery, green or blue tones are suitable for the bedroom.

Brown

It is easy to choose wallpaper for such a laminate. In this situation, yellow, cream, green tones look good. Any pastel shade will work as well. Bright accents on the walls look interesting.

Gray

This color is considered elegant and discreet. A great addition will be different options for gray - dark or light. If you want to create a bright interior, yellow wallpaper will do.

Dark

Such a laminate looks good with light-colored wallpaper. This combination is as natural as possible. To keep the room in a classic style, it is permissible to choose a creamy shade of the walls. Pale yellow wallpaper will look good.

The main selection criteria

Based on the listed features of each and the varieties, there are a number of key criteria that should be paid attention to when choosing in the first place. So what to consider:

• Maximum moisture resistance.
• High viscosity and setting.
• An easy way to withdraw your excess.
• Durability.
• Easy to use.
• Environmental friendliness of the composition.

Popular manufacturers

Among the huge number of manufacturers, it is very difficult to single out what at first glance is of the highest quality. We will help you with this, and we will tell you about the three most popular brands that have managed to show their level of quality and have established their products as reliable and worthy of attention.

The most commonly used and quality manufacturers are:

• Tomsit
• Claeo Laminate
• Kisel

Next, we will talk about them in more detail.

Tomsit

It occupies the top line and is the undisputed leader. Produces the highest quality products, their adhesives are not affected by moisture, chemical elements and temperature. They perfectly retain their fastening properties even after a long service life in the harshest conditions. The adhesive itself is very economical and is suitable for all types of laminate, even for floating tongue-and-groove joints.

Tomsit is the ideal product for all types of wood flooring.

Claeo Laminate

A French company that manufactures adhesive mixtures exclusively for laminate flooring. Their technologies are close to perfection, thanks to which they have achieved the highest rates of elasticity of the joints, and even if the excess gets on the front surface, it is easy to remove them without any consequences. For application, it is enough to simply dry and degrease the surface, after which you can immediately proceed with installation.

Each of the above brands is easy to use, and therefore you can safely purchase them if you decide to lay the flooring with your own hands.

Kisel

The German brand Kisel allows you to connect floating floor coverings, it gains maximum strength after only seventy hours, which is an order of magnitude faster than many competitors. In their composition, the adhesives of this brand do not have harmful and toxic substances, therefore they can rightfully be considered bladeless and environmentally friendly.

The average cost per liter is four dollars. The consumption of glue depends on its characteristics and concentration, so this should be checked in the store or following the instructions on the package.

How to choose a steam mop

When choosing an electrical unit, it is important to study its technical characteristics: power, weight, operating time, cord length. Read reviews of other people's experiences with the mop

Power cord length

The radius of use of the steam cleaner depends on this indicator. If the room is large enough, you need to figure out if the cord is long enough to get to all the hard-to-reach places in the room.

The weight

When cleaning the floor, it is convenient to hold the unit with one hand. To make its use comfortable and not inconvenient, the steam cleaner should be lightweight. Its maneuverability depends on this indicator. The tool should become an assistant capable of saving time and energy for its owner.

Working hours

The average time of continuous operation of the steam cleaner is 40 minutes. During this period, you can clean a high-quality room with an area of ​​40 square meters.

Versatility and mobility

After use, the device must be cleaned: change the water in the tank, wash the nozzles. Collapsible models are considered the most convenient.The functionality of the unit allows it to clean not only floors, but also to effectively clean upholstered furniture, car interiors and carpets.

The hallmarks of a good glue

A high-quality adhesive solution affects the result of the work performed and the strength of fixing the wallpaper on the walls. Having decided on the required type of glue, you should familiarize yourself with its detailed characteristics in order to choose the right quality products. Most buyers simply prefer the glue produced by renowned manufacturers, but it is better to use an integrated approach.

Environmental friendliness

The absence of harmful components in the composition of the product affects the safety for the environment and human health. If chemical impurities have been used for the production of glue, it can be harmful, therefore, when working, you will need to wear a protective mask so as not to inhale corrosive substances. As a rule, most manufacturers that produce environmentally friendly solutions indicate on the packaging the corresponding marking in the form of a green icon.

Hygiene

The hygiene indicator is in many ways similar and is associated with the environmental friendliness of the product. The criterion of hygiene is determined taking into account the composition of the glue, the absence of a strong odor and human exposure. The substance with good hygiene is characterized by a mild odor and non-toxicity.

PH indicator

The acid-base pH is needed to determine the likelihood of yellow spots, which is especially important when using wallpaper made in light colors. To prevent stains from appearing on the material, the substance must have a neutral acidity index. It is recommended to choose an adhesive with a pH in the range of 6-7, regardless of the type of surface to be treated.

Primary adhesion

Initial adhesion, which is determined by the strength of adhesion, expresses the strength of the bond between the wallpaper and the base at the moment when the glue has not yet dried and formed a hard layer. At this stage of gluing the wallpaper, adjustments are made to align the patterns and seams evenly. The role of primary adhesion is only to fix the wallpaper to the surface until the final adhesion occurs. The indicator depends solely on the consistency and viscosity of the glue and is not related to the composition and type of raw materials used for production.

Final adhesion

The final adhesion of the substance determines the strength of the bonding of the wallpaper to the surface after the glue is completely dry. The indicator depends on the ability of the adhesive to interact with mineral materials, including cement, lime, chalk, gypsum, as well as paper and other types of substrates used in wallpaper. The final adhesion is influenced by the composition of the adhesive, the type of substrate and wallpaper.

Water resistance

Water resistance determines the adhesive's ability not to soften when the atmosphere is too humid. Use a waterproof product when performing repair and finishing work in the bathroom, kitchen and industrial premises.

Compatibility

The compatibility of the adhesive with other materials allows you to mix different substances without mutual degradation of characteristics. The compatibility index depends on the type of surface to be treated and the constituent components of the adhesive. When choosing a substance, you need to know exactly on which surface the work will be carried out in order to select the appropriate glue.

Durability

The duration of fixing the wallpaper on the surface depends on the indicator of the long-term gluing. Modern adhesive solutions are able to hold the coating for many years, but in the case of using low-quality raw materials, the wallpaper begins to peel off the walls.

Adhesive selection

When choosing which glue is better to use, you need to find out more information about its properties and compositions.

The adhesive must have certain criteria that you need to pay attention to when buying:

1. No reaction to moisture and water.
2. For maximum strength, the adhesion of the compound must be high.
3. The composition must be resistant to subzero temperatures.
4. The composition must be non-toxic and harmless to humans.

Degrease the floor surface before applying the adhesive to the substrate.

Before laying laminate boards on glue, you will need to remove and clean as much as possible the surface on which you plan to place it.

All places where the product will be applied must be degreased, and it is also better to process them a little with sandpaper. After connecting the parts, you need to press them tightly, one to the other, and leave in this state for 15 minutes.

When choosing a material for gluing, you additionally need to look at who produces the mixture, what are the expiration dates, as well as the level of environmental safety. There are many different products on the market and in hardware stores, so it will not be difficult to buy the best option.