The variety of available construction adhesives on the market today has never been more extensive. Various brands and specific application types compete for shelf space and the contractor’s wallet. So how do you know which construction adhesive is right for the job?
The main factors to consider when choosing a construction adhesive are the materials that are being bonded and the condition in which the adhesive will be applied. Certain manufacturers make it easy to match an adhesive with the material type it will be used on. LePage, for instance, makes a range of adhesives that are designed for use with specific material types. An example of this is their PL 300 Foam Board Adhesive, which is specifically formulated for foam insulation products. Foam is typically porous and will soak up adhesives, which under normal circumstances reduces a glue’s contact area and performance.
A challenge with traditional solvent-based construction adhesives is that they cure with the evaporation of solvents. This process leaves less glue than was originally applied, and often leads to voids in the adhesive, which negatively impacts long-term durability and overall performance.
Certain glues, like LePage’s PL Premium Max Construction Adhesive, cure by pulling in moisture from the air, which won’t reduce the total amount of adhesive that was originally applied. This eliminates the occurrence of voids in the glue, providing better adhesion performance. This is especially valuable in demanding exterior applications, where the elements will pose an already difficult bonding challenge.
Cold weather, in particular, can be the biggest limiting factor in adhesive performance. Certain glues, for example, cannot be applied in temperatures below 0 C. Even if they can be applied, they often will not cure properly in colder temperatures. Listed cure times on the packaging of construction adhesives assume working temperatures of 25 C and relative humidity of 50 per cent. Therefore, cure times will be much longer in colder temperatures.
If you have selected the correct adhesive for the job, even the best products on the market can still fail due to misapplication. Ensure the surfaces you are bonding together are clean and free of debris. Sanding and smoothing rough edges also assist in maximizing adhesion performance.
Given the variety of building materials, fastening options and installation techniques available for any given construction project, selecting the correct adhesive can be tricky. Use these tips to assist you in the selection process and to ensure things stick the way they are supposed to.
