Adhesive for parquet flooring: everything you need to know.
Finding the ideal adhesive for your parquet flooring is crucial to ensuring a solid and durable installation. Several criteria and options must be taken into account in order to make the right choice. In this article, we will outline the key points to consider when choosing parquet flooring adhesive, providing you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
It is important to tailor your choice of adhesive to your specific needs. The type of parquet flooring you plan to install and the characteristics of the room are factors that should not be overlooked. Each type of parquet flooring has its own specific requirements in terms of adhesive, which makes choosing the right one essential.
We will guide you through the different types of flooring to be glued, adhesives suitable for wet or dry environments, as well as those specially designed for floating flooring. You will also discover how to choose the right adhesive for the type of floor on which your flooring will be laid, 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 when making your selection.
With this information, you will be fully equipped to choose the flooring adhesive that best suits your needs. Whether you are looking for an adhesive for a damp or dry room, for floating flooring, or for the best adhesive for wooden flooring, this article will guide you step by step through the decision-making process.
The Primaire PU280 from the Wakol range is a blue, single-component polyurethane primer, free from solvents and epoxy resin, designed to reinforce 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 is unheated or heated cement screeds. This product provides 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 microfibre or foam roller, PU280 Primer is versatile but not suitable for direct installation of a levelling compound. The first coat, applied at a rate of 100 to 150 g/m² (approximately 70 to 73 m² for a single coat), serves as a base for the adhesive, while the second coat, applied perpendicular to the first, forms a moisture barrier with a consumption of 250 to 350 g/m² (approximately 50 to 55 m² for two layers). To ensure proper preservation, store the container at a temperature above +5°C.
Most types of parquet 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 parquet flooring compatible with this method:
Solid parquet: made from a single piece of wood, solid parquet can be glued directly to the subfloor. It adds a natural and warm touch to your interior, but requires careful preparation of the floor before installation.
Engineered flooring: made up of several layers, with a top layer of hardwood, engineered flooring can also be glued down. Thanks to its multi-layer structure, it offers great stability and is ideal for glued installation.
Laminate flooring: made from compressed wood fibre boards and covered with a layer of resin, laminate flooring can also be glued, even though it is not solid wood. It is easy to install thanks to its interlocking system and offers a wide range of designs and finishes.
Now that we are informed, we can discuss flooring adhesive.
To ensure the effectiveness and durability of your parquet flooring, it is crucial to select the appropriate parquet adhesive based on the type of floor on which it will be laid. Here are the key factors to consider in order to make the best choice:
If your floor has a high humidity level, opt for a moisture-resistant adhesive. Some adhesives are particularly suitable for these conditions, offering excellent water resistance.
The type of floor also influences the choice of adhesive. Whether concrete, tile or wood, each surface requires a specific adhesive. Be sure to choose an adhesive that is compatible with your floor material to ensure optimal adhesion.
Before selecting your adhesive, it is useful to check the porosity of the floor. Perform a simple test by placing a drop of water on the floor. If the water is quickly absorbed, this indicates that the floor is porous and that a suitable adhesive is required to avoid adhesion problems.
By taking these criteria into account, you can choose the most suitable adhesive for your floor, ensuring a successful and durable parquet installation.
Laying parquet flooring in a room prone to damp requires an adhesive that is specially designed to be water-resistant. It is crucial to choose an adhesive that guarantees the stability and longevity of your parquet flooring despite the damp conditions.
Particularly recommended for damp environments, elastic parquet adhesive is distinguished by its high water resistance. It ensures a strong and durable bond, even when the parquet is exposed to high levels of humidity.
For damp rooms, it is also advisable to choose woods that are naturally resistant to moisture. Exotic woods such as teak, iroko and merbau are examples of woods that are particularly suited to these conditions.
By combining a water-resistant adhesive with suitable wood species, you can ensure that your parquet flooring is durable and resistant to moisture.
In a dry room, there are two installation techniques available to you: full-bed installation and bead-and-groove installation. Each has its advantages depending on the use of the room.
This method is recommended for high-traffic areas such as entrances, corridors, or living rooms. It involves applying the adhesive to the entire surface of the subfloor before laying the parquet. This process guarantees maximum adhesion and impeccable stability, ideal for rooms that see a lot of use.
Bead application, which is more suitable for bedrooms, offices or rooms with low traffic, involves applying the adhesive in spaced lines to the subfloor. The parquet boards are then pressed onto these beads, offering a certain degree of flexibility. This technique also makes it easier to replace boards if necessary.
For both methods, it is essential to choose a high-quality adhesive to ensure lasting adhesion and optimal longevity of the parquet.
Floating parquet is very popular because it is quick and easy to install. Unlike other types of parquet, it uses a tongue-and-groove system, which means that in most cases it can be laid without glue.
One of the great advantages of floating parquet is that it can be installed without glue, which is ideal for tenants or those who want a temporary solution. The original floor remains intact, and the installation is easy to dismantle if necessary.
That said, to further secure the boards and prevent movement, you can opt for an adhesive specially designed for floating flooring. This adhesive is applied between the boards to improve the stability of the whole and minimise the risk of movement or noise over time.
So, depending on your needs, you can choose to install without glue or use glue to reinforce the installation of your floating parquet flooring.
The partnership between Repex Floor and Wakol illustrates the collaboration between two leaders in the flooring sector. Repex Floor, a specialist in parquet and concrete machinery, has joined forces with Wakol, renowned for its innovative and high-performance parquet adhesives. This alliance gives Repex Floor customers privileged access to Wakol's high-quality adhesives, which perfectly complement Repex Floor's product range. Together, they are committed to providing sustainable, innovative and easy-to-install solutions, while meeting the highest standards of performance and customer satisfaction. Wakol adhesives are distinguished by their versatility, covering a variety of materials such as wood, concrete, PVC and linoleum. They are also recognised for their innovation, with exceptional adhesion and water resistance. In addition, they are designed with environmental and health concerns in mind and are EMICODE EC1 PLUS certified for low emissions of volatile organic compounds. Their application is facilitated by a formulation optimised for quick and efficient implementation.
Choosing the right adhesive for your parquet installation is essential to ensure a solid and durable installation. This guide has outlined the key criteria for selecting the right wood flooring adhesive, taking into account the type of flooring, humidity conditions and the nature of the subfloor. Whether you are installing solid, engineered or laminate flooring, it is crucial to choose an adhesive that is suitable for the specific environment of your room, whether it is humid or dry.
We have also emphasised the importance of using Wakol's PU280 primer to prepare surfaces before applying the adhesive, ensuring better adhesion and protection against moisture. When it comes to floating parquet, you have the flexibility to install it without adhesive or to use a specialised adhesive for reinforced fixing.
By combining best practices with Wakol's high-quality products, available through our partnership, you are now ready to successfully install your parquet flooring. With this information in hand, you can make an informed choice and guarantee a flawless finish for your flooring projects.
Parquet adhesive makes all the difference!
Read also: Parquet adhesive: an innovative product!
Most types of parquet flooring can be installed using an adhesive, provided certain guidelines are followed:
The choice of parquet adhesive depends on three criteria relating to the subfloor:
For rooms prone to damp (bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms), it is essential to choose an adhesive specifically designed to withstand water. Flexible parquet adhesive is particularly recommended: it is characterised by its high resistance to moisture and ensures a strong, long-lasting bond even in challenging conditions. In addition, it is advisable to opt for wood species that are naturally water-resistant, such as exotic woods (teak, iroko, merbau). The combination of a water-resistant adhesive and a suitable wood species guarantees a long-lasting installation that can withstand the stresses of damp conditions.
These are the two main techniques for gluing parquet in a dry room:
Wakol’s PU280 Primer is a single-component polyurethane primer, free from solvents and epoxy resin, which is essential for preparing surfaces prior to laying parquet flooring. Its main functions:
