What glue is suitable for laying laminate?

Laminate is one of the most popular building materials. If earlier it was used solely as a floor covering, now the walls and ceiling are still being finished with wood-fiber board modules. Laminate manufacturers have developed a locking system for bonding panels, which does not provide for rigid bonding to the surface to be treated. Glue for the laminate is needed only to make the connection more durable and to protect the ends of the planks from moisture and other damage.

The functions of the adhesive when laying the laminate

The laminate is based on a high-density fiberboard. This finishing material has many advantages, such as resistance to abrasion and exposure to sunlight, moisture resistance and durability. However, due to the fibrous structure of the fiberboard, plates with raw ends can delaminate at the joints, form gaps, and swell when water enters the crevices.

To avoid such troubles and provide additional protection and an attractive appearance to the coating, it is worth using a special adhesive composition, the choice of which must be approached with all responsibility. The glue should be fully compatible with the laminate, provide a strong adhesion of the panels to each other and excellent sealing of the joints, to maintain their properties for many years.

Features and varieties of adhesives

Laminate adhesive can be purchased at any hardware store or ordered online. The main thing is to choose a quality composition from a time-tested manufacturer. Otherwise, the appearance of the new coating will be spoiled by dirt accumulated in the gap between the panels and the protruding edges.

There are several types of glue that are suitable for fiberboard products.

• Adhesive based on synthetic or epoxy resin. Such an adhesive composition does not allow moisture to pass, forms a strong and durable joint, resists chemical and mechanical influences.
• Two-component adhesive based on phenol-formaldehyde resin. It is used for gluing wood and is characterized by special joint strength, resistance to temperature extremes.
• The one-component adhesive is durable and ductile. It does not emit an unpleasant odor and does not pollute the environment with harmful substances. The most suitable composition for multi-storey residential buildings.

Important!

When laying the laminate, water and oil-based adhesives should not be used.

An alternative to glue for processing joints is a sealant. The main thing is to choose the color for the color of the panels. The best representatives of these adhesives are ClickGuard and Masterfix.

Each master decides whether it is advisable to carry out additional bonding of the panels with glue when laying the laminate on a wall, floor or ceiling. After working with glue, you can guarantee:

• strength and durability of laminate fastening;
• protection against moisture and the inability to form gaps between the panels;
• long life of the treated surface.

However, gluing a laminate has negative consequences:

• you can not start operating the floor immediately after finishing work, you must wait at least 12 hours;
• it is not recommended to make a warm floor, since when heated, the glue can melt, and the panels can become deformed;
• glued lamellas cannot be glued, so the dismantling of the floor is excluded.

Before applying the adhesive for the laminate, think carefully about whether it is worth doing.If it may be necessary to dismantle the laminate, it is better to do only with a lock connection, without sizing.

Which glue is better - an overview of products from well-known manufacturers

Among the many well-known manufacturers of adhesive products, the most popular are German companies Henkel and Kiesel, the French company Kleo, and the American Titebond. Here is a brief overview of the products manufactured by these manufacturers.

• Thomsit p 640

Henkel water dispersion adhesive has good adhesion and is able to provide high strength when gluing a laminate. The product is water resistant, solvent free and environmentally friendly. Available in 0.5 liter plastic bottles equipped with a special nozzle for uniform glue application. Thomsit is a universal adhesive suitable for working with any wooden coating.

• Laminat kleo

The French company Kleo specializes in the manufacture of adhesive compositions for the laminate. Thanks to the latest technology, the specialists of this company have developed a highly effective adhesive for laying laminate, durable and elastic, without additives in the form of organic solvents. The Laminat Kleo adhesive is easy to use, as it can be easily cleaned from the laminated surface. If excess glue gets on the front of the panel, they can be removed with a soap solution.

• Tititebond ii laminate

The one-component Titebond II Laminate adhesive, manufactured by American experts, contains a polyaliphatic emulsion and is an advanced professional adhesive composition for Premium II wood. It is recommended for laying laminate when installing underfloor heating. After the glue dries, a strong transparent layer is formed.

• Kiesel

The German product Kiesel is used to connect the panels to each other when laying the laminate. The highest point of adhesion is reached already seventy hours after the completion of installation work. This means that the opportunity to start operating the flooring appears much earlier than when using adhesive mixtures from other manufacturers. Kiesel does not contain harmful and toxic substances, therefore the adhesive product of German manufacturers is considered safe and environmentally friendly.

Each of the listed brands meets all the requirements for adhesive structures for a laminate, so you can safely buy any of these products.

Laying laminate using glue

For an experienced craftsman, laying a laminate and fastening panels with glue will not be difficult. However, if you are doing this work for the first time, questions may arise, and you can’t do without the advice of specialists. Here is a detailed instruction for finishing the floor with laminate using glue.

Important!

You can start laying the laminate at an air temperature of + 15 ° C and low humidity in the room.

1. The first panel is laid with a groove to the wall. A technical gap of about 10 mm is left between the laminate and the wall. Installation must be carried out in the direction of incidence of light and with a shift of the panels.
2. The end of the next panel is lubricated with glue, evenly squeezing the composition from the tube. When doing this work, you should try to smear all areas without exception and at the same time do not overdo it with glue.
3. The panel is inserted with a tongue and groove in the groove and adjust its position, knocking out a wooden block or a mallet. If excess glue has come out, you need to immediately remove it with a damp cloth. The procedure is repeated until the first lane is fully installed.
4. Before mounting the second strip, one of the panels is cut in the middle to ensure a checkerboard pattern of lamellas.
5. The side of the short panel is greased with glue and attached to the lamellas of the first strip. Do the same with other elements of the floor covering until the second row is mounted.
6. After installing the third row, you need to take a break for 2 hours and allow the glue to dry, after which you can continue to work.
7. Having established the last row, they knock down the entire structure with a crowbar.

Having figured out some of the subtleties that arise when laying a laminate using glue, you can install a new flooring in your apartment without outside help and unnecessary costs. The main thing is to choose high-quality finishing material and an effective adhesive designed specifically for the laminate.