Wood Flooring Adhesive: Everything You Need to Know.
Finding the ideal adhesive for your wood flooring is crucial to ensure a solid and durable installation. Several criteria and options need to be considered to make the right choice. In this article, we will present the essential points to consider to help you choose the wood flooring adhesive, providing you with all the necessary information for an informed decision.
It is important to tailor your choice of adhesive to your specific needs. The type of wood flooring you plan to install, as well as the characteristics of the room, are factors not to be overlooked. Each type of wood flooring has its particular requirements for adhesive, making the selection of the right adhesive crucial.
We will guide you through the different types of flooring that can be glued, adhesives suitable for humid or dry environments, as well as those specifically designed for floating floors. You will also learn how to choose the adhesive based on the type of subfloor on which your wood flooring will be installed, and we will review the adhesives available on the market. Finally, we will present the best options for wooden flooring and the key criteria to keep in mind during your selection.
With this information, you will be well-equipped to choose the wood flooring adhesive that meets your needs. Whether it’s for a humid room, a dry space, floating flooring, or finding the best adhesive for wooden floors, this article will guide you step by step through your decision-making process.
Before the Adhesive, the Primer!
The Wakol PU280 Primer is a blue, solvent-free, single-component polyurethane primer, designed to strengthen transition areas and improve adhesion. Suitable for both absorbent and non-absorbent substrates, it consolidates damaged edges of screeds. Its application varies depending on the type of surface, whether it’s unheated or heated cement screeds. This product, which offers an effective barrier against moisture, dries quickly in 40 to 50 minutes and allows direct bonding after 72 hours. Easy to apply with a 10 mm microfiber or foam roller, the PU280 Primer is versatile but not suitable for direct installation of a leveling product. The first layer, applied at 100 to 150 g/m² (about 70 to 73 m² for a single layer), serves as a base for the adhesive, while the second layer, applied perpendicular to the first, forms a moisture barrier with a consumption of 250 to 350 g/m² (about 50 to 55 m² for two layers). To ensure proper storage, keep the can at a temperature above +5°C.
Most wood flooring can be glued, but it is important to follow certain guidelines to ensure a solid and durable installation. Here are the main types of flooring compatible with this method:
- Solid Wood Flooring: Made from a single piece of wood, solid wood flooring can be glued directly onto the substrate. It adds a natural and warm touch to your interior but requires careful preparation of the floor before installation.
- Engineered Wood Flooring: Consisting of multiple layers with a top layer of noble wood, engineered wood flooring can also be glued. Its multi-layered structure offers great stability and is well-suited for gluing.
- Laminate Flooring: Made from compressed wood fiber panels and covered with a resin layer, laminate flooring can also be glued, even though it is not solid wood. It is easy to install thanks to its click system and offers a wide range of designs and finishes.
Now that you’re informed, we can discuss the adhesive for wood flooring.
To ensure the effectiveness and durability of your wood flooring, it is crucial to select the appropriate adhesive based on the type of subfloor on which it will be installed. Here are the key elements to consider for making the best choice:
- Moisture Content: If your subfloor has high moisture content, choose an adhesive resistant to moisture. Some adhesives are particularly suited for these conditions, offering excellent water resistance.
- Nature of the Subfloor: The type of subfloor also influences the choice of adhesive. Whether it’s concrete, tile, or wood, each surface requires a specific adhesive. Ensure you select an adhesive compatible with your subfloor material to guarantee optimal adhesion.
- Porosity of the Subfloor: Before choosing your adhesive, it’s useful to check the porosity of the subfloor. Perform a simple test by placing a drop of water on the surface. If the water is quickly absorbed, this indicates that the subfloor is porous, and an appropriate adhesive is needed to prevent adhesion issues.
By considering these criteria, you can choose the most suitable adhesive for your subfloor, ensuring a successful and durable wood flooring installation.
Installing wood flooring in a humid room requires an adhesive specifically designed to resist water. It is crucial to choose an adhesive that guarantees the stability and longevity of your flooring despite the humid conditions.
Particularly recommended for humid environments, elastic wood flooring adhesive is distinguished by its high water resistance. It ensures a solid and durable bond, even when the flooring is exposed to high levels of moisture.
For humid rooms, it is also advisable to choose wood species that are naturally resistant to moisture. Exotic woods like teak, iroko, or merbau are examples of wood particularly suited to these conditions.
By combining a water-resistant adhesive with suitable wood species, you ensure a durable installation of your flooring that can withstand moisture constraints.
In a dry room, you have two installation methods: full coverage and bead application. Each has its advantages depending on the room's use.
- Full Coverage Installation: This method is recommended for high-traffic areas like entrances, hallways, or living rooms. It involves applying adhesive over the entire surface of the substrate before laying the flooring. This process ensures maximum adhesion and impeccable stability, ideal for heavily used rooms.
- Bead Application: Bead application, more suited for bedrooms, offices, or low-traffic areas, involves applying adhesive in spaced lines on the substrate. The flooring planks are then pressed onto these beads, offering some flexibility. This technique also facilitates the possible replacement of planks.
For both methods, it is essential to choose a high-quality adhesive to ensure lasting adhesion and optimal longevity of the flooring.
Floating flooring is highly appreciated for its simple and quick installation. Unlike other types of flooring, it uses a click system for the planks, allowing for installation without adhesive in most cases.
Indeed, one of the major features of floating flooring is that it can be installed without adhesive, which is ideal for renters or those seeking a temporary solution. The original floor remains intact, and the installation is easy to disassemble if needed.
That said, to further secure the planks and prevent movement, you can opt for an adhesive specifically designed for floating flooring. This adhesive is applied between the planks to improve overall stability and minimize the risks of movement or noise over time.
Thus, depending on your needs, you can choose between an adhesive-free installation or use an adhesive to reinforce the installation of your floating flooring.
The partnership between Repex Floor and Wakol highlights the collaboration between two leaders in the flooring sector. Repex Floor, specializing in parquet and concrete machines, partners with Wakol, renowned for its innovative and high-performance wood flooring adhesives. This alliance allows Repex Floor's clients to access high-quality Wakol adhesives, perfectly complementing Repex Floor's offerings. Together, they are committed to providing durable, innovative, and easy-to-install solutions while adhering to the highest performance and customer satisfaction standards. Wakol adhesives are distinguished by their versatility, covering various materials such as wood, concrete, PVC, and linoleum. They are also recognized for their innovation with exceptional adhesion and water resistance. Additionally, they are designed with environmental and health concerns in mind, certified EMICODE EC1 PLUS for low emissions of volatile organic compounds. Their application is facilitated by an optimized formulation for quick and efficient implementation.
Choosing the right adhesive for your wood flooring installation is essential to ensure a solid and durable installation. This guide has presented the key criteria for selecting the appropriate wood flooring adhesive, considering the type of flooring, moisture conditions, and the nature of the subfloor. Whether you are installing solid, engineered, or laminate flooring, it is crucial to choose an adhesive suitable for your room’s specific environment, whether humid or dry.
We have also highlighted the importance of using Wakol’s PU280 Primer to prepare surfaces before applying the adhesive, ensuring better adhesion and protection against moisture. For floating flooring, you have the flexibility to install it without adhesive or use a specialized adhesive for reinforced fixation.
By combining best practices with Wakol’s high-quality products, available through our partnership, you are now ready to successfully install your wood flooring. With this information at hand, you can make an informed choice and ensure a flawless finish for your flooring projects.
The right adhesive makes all the difference!
Read also: Parquet glue: an innovative product!
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