VINYL & LVT VINYL DECISION
When it comes to adhesive selection for vinyl floorcoverings, no one size fits all, say the experts at F. Ball.
The development of high-performance vinyl adhesives with a range of specialist properties means that it is always worth considering products that have been developed for particular applications when it comes to selecting an adhesive for a specific installation. These include adhesives for certain types of floorcoverings, such as luxury vinyl tiles (LVTs) and sheet vinyl, as well as conditions to which the installation will be exposed and situations faced by contractors, such as tight time constraints.
While wet-lay adhesives are suitable where vinyl sheet is being installed in relatively large sections, pressure sensitive adhesives are often the best choice when installations comprise many smaller pieces, including LVTs. They form an instant grab upon contact so that contractors don’t need to worry about tiles or planks moving about when they are working, making them ideal for installations where intricate designs or patterns are being created. They also offer an extended open time, reducing the risk of late placement.
Nowadays, pressure sensitive adhesives are available with a range of additional features, such as temperature tolerant and moisture resistant characteristics, as well as fast-track properties. There are situations where it may be desirable, or even highly recommended, to use an adhesive with such properties.
TEMPERATURE TOLERANT REQUIREMENTS
High temperatures or extreme temperature fluctuations can cause vinyl floorcoverings to expand and contract significantly in response to the temperature change. Over time, this may lead to unsightly tenting and gapping at the edges of planks and tiles. This can be the case in conservatories and other rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows that are subject to ‘solar gain’.
For this reason, it is advisable to use a temperature tolerant adhesive when installing floorcoverings in areas subject to extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations.
Temperature tolerant adhesives develop the high bond strength required to hold floorcoverings securely in place in such environments, ensuring a long-lasting, aesthetically pleasing flooring finish.
MOISTURE RESISTANCE
When installing flooring in an area that may be subject to surface water, an adhesive with water-resistant properties is essential. Adhesives that are not water resistant may break down and soften when they come into contact with water, potentially causing floorcoverings to bubble or de-bond.
Epoxy or polyurethane-based adhesives were once the only option for such installations. These adhesives are highly effective
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at making areas impermeable to water, so they are also suitable for installing vinyl floorcoverings outdoors where surface water may collect. Nowadays, solvent-free, one-part alternatives are available that are also easier to apply and faster curing.
F. Ball’s Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS is an example of a new breed of high-performance, hybrid adhesive, with revolutionary combinations of properties, including temperature tolerance, moisture resistance and pressure sensitive characteristics. The water-based adhesive has the familiar characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive and develops the extremely high bond strength required to hold vinyl floorcoverings firmly in place in areas exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations (from -20C to +60C). The properties of this adhesive also make it moisture resistant, meaning it is suitable for installing vinyl floorcoverings in damp and humid environments.
FAST-TRACK SOLUTIONS
Options are also available where contractors face considerable time pressures and a moisture resistant or temperature tolerant adhesive is not required. F. Ball has a fast-track, pressure sensitive adhesive for LVTs, Styccobond F58 PLUS. Developed as a ‘transitional’ adhesive, Styccobond F58 PLUS transitions from a wet-lay adhesive when initially applied to a subfloor to become fully pressure sensitive.
The fast-drying formulation of Styccobond F58 PLUS enables LVT tiles and planks to be secured from just five minutes, while fibres in the adhesive provide resistance to lateral movement, preventing vinyl tiles and planks from moving around when working.
COMPATIBILITY CHECK
It is always recommended that flooring contractors check the compatibility of a particular adhesive with a chosen floorcovering. For this purpose, F. Ball produces its industry-leading Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG), which contains over 6,000 adhesive recommendations for floorcoverings from over 200 international manufacturers.
https://f-ball.com/en
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