Professional flooring installers know that a big part of any successful flooring installation comes down to the adhesive used to secure the flooring material. Flooring adhesive comes in a variety of types made to fit certain kinds of flooring materials. Choosing the right adhesive is crucial to the outcome of the project, delivering a quality and safe finished result and the satisfaction of the end client.
These are some of the most popular types of adhesives used by flooring professionals and the advantages of each one.
Pressure-sensitive adhesives
Pressure-sensitive adhesives can help take the guesswork out of flooring installation for carpet tiles. This method requires the material to be completely dry to the touch for successful installation. A key advantage of pressure-sensitive adhesives is that they can be applied with a trowel or roller instead of a singular method of application. This adhesive can resist water up to 95% relative humidity.
Adhesive tape systems
Adhesive tape systems offer an advantage that the flooring can be installed immediately after using the tape. However, there are a number of checks to be done beforehand. The substrate that the flooring will be placed on needs to be cleaned to a very high standard. RH, moisture vapor and pH testing should also be done before using adhesive tape systems.
Clear-spread VCT adhesive
Clear-spread VCT adhesive is user friendly. It is easy to know when the flooring is ready to be applied when using this type of product. There is no gray area where an installer has to question if the adhesive is ready or tacky enough. This adhesive is applied and left until completely dry to the touch. The dry installation can also make fitting the flooring easier.
LVT, sheet vinyl adhesives
When installing LVT or homogeneous sheet vinyl, it is important to look for adhesives that are workable and low-VOC. The ideal LVT and sheet vinyl adhesives are installer friendly and suit the needs of the specific project.