The Knowledge: Temperature Tolerant Adhesives

In this series, we tell you what you need to know to ensure flooring installations live up to high customer expectations

The Knowledge has previously dealt with the technical aspects of each step in the flooring installation process, from subfloor preparation, including the application of a smoothing compound to create a perfectly smooth base for floor coverings, to selecting an appropriate adhesive.

We’ve since brought these elements together to advise on ensuring optimum results when installing a particular types of floor covering: namely Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVTs) and wood.

In this issue of F-Talk Retail, we’re covering a particular solution that has been developed to overcome the specific problem of high temperatures and temperature fluctuations affecting flooring installations: temperature tolerant adhesives, including what they are, where you need them and choosing the right one.

Where and why?

Temperature tolerant adhesives have been developed for installing resilient floorcoverings in areas where there is the potential for extreme temperatures and temperature fluctuations. This is frequently the case in heavily glazed areas that are subject to solar gain during the day, such as conservatories, which then rapidly cool at night.

Extreme temperatures or temperature fluctuations can cause floorcoverings to expand and contract significantly. Over time, this can lead to unsightly tenting and gapping where vinyl floorcoverings meet, particularly between adjacent vinyl tiles or planks. Once fully cured, temperature tolerant adhesives hold floorcoverings firmly in place, restricting these movements and ensuring the long-lasting performance of installations.

Where a temperature tolerant adhesive is required, there are a number to choose from, including ones with extra features, such as pressure sensitive characteristics.

Wet-lay adhesives 

Wet-lay temperature tolerant adhesives are available for contractors who are installing vinyl floorcoverings in areas that will be exposed to high temperatures. After applying the adhesive evenly over the subfloor with a trowel, the contractor simply allows the adhesive to paste off before placing the floorcoverings and then rolling to ensure overall transfer of the adhesive is achieved.

Nowadays, wet-lay temperature tolerant adhesives are available with a range of additional properties.

F. Ball’s Styccobond F48 PLUS, for example, is a fibre-reinforced, high temperature grade adhesive for installing a range of vinyl floorcoverings. Fibres in Styccobond F48 PLUS allow it to offer high initial grab to hold floorcoverings securely in place while contractors are working. It is also fast drying.

Hybrid adhesives 

Adhesive innovations have also enabled the development of high-performance, hybrid adhesives, which combine temperature tolerance with pressure sensitive properties. Ongoing innovation has enabled manufacturers to add new features to these products to make them increasingly versatile.

F. Ball’s Styccobond F49 Hybrid PS is a water-based vinyl adhesive with the familiar characteristics of a pressure sensitive adhesive, which develops the extremely high bond strength and dimensional stability required to hold vinyl floorcoverings firmly in place in areas exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations (from -20°C to +60°C). The pressure sensitive characteristics of Styccobond F49 make it a great choice for installing vinyl tiles and planks as well as creating intricate patterns and bespoke designs that need precise alignment. Whilst providing high initial tack, the adhesive allows contractors to lift and reposition floorcoverings in the initial stages of drying.

Styccobond F49 has also been approved for installing vertical flooring accessories, such as PVC skirting, capping and coving, meaning it offers an alternative to traditional contact adhesives. Unlike contact adhesives, the hybrid adhesive only needs to be applied to one surface. It is also has moisture resistant properties, enabling it to be used in damp and humid environments.

Underfloor heating

The availability of temperature tolerant adhesives raises questions about exactly when and where they need to be used. There is confusion amongst some contractors about why a temperature tolerant adhesive is required to install LVTs in conservatories, for example, but not over underfloor heating. Some people believe it is necessary to use a temperature tolerant adhesive to install floorcoverings where underfloor heating is present when, in fact, it is not, unless areas are also subject to solar gain.

This is because temperature fluctuations as a result of underfloor heating systems are much more gradual and less extreme than changes in temperature resulting from solar gain, which can be much more sudden and range up to +60°C. To meet British Standard guidelines of resilient and textile floorcoverings, underfloor heating systems should not exceed 27°C at the bond line. Temperature tolerant adhesives are therefore only necessary where there are heavily glazed areas, including conservatories and areas with floor-to-ceiling windows. F. Ball’s full range of adhesives can be used over all kinds of underfloor heating.

Compatibility check

Finally, it is recommended that you always check that an adhesive is suitable for use with a particular floorcovering. For these purposes F. Ball produces its industry-leading Recommended Adhesives Guide (RAG^®). A continually updated version can be found on F. Ball’s website and as a free app. It is also available as an A5 printed booklet. Alternatively, F. Ball’s technical service department are on hand Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 5.00pm, to answer your questions about F. Ball products and how to use them.