How to glue foam plastic to metal - mastering the materials

Today, foam plastic is quite actively used as a building material for thermal insulation of buildings. It is also used for interior surfaces. This is what raises the question of how to glue the foam to the metal on the ceiling. Initially, its area of ​​application was the transportation of equipment and furniture, where it acted as a seal. Today, foam plastic is installed on various surfaces, including metal. This choice is justified, because polystyrene foam is durable, it can retain its shape for 25 years, as for external use; but if you install it indoors, it will last for half a century. However, ultraviolet radiation and exposure to moisture can shorten the service life of the material. These factors shorten the life of almost any building material.

Expanded polystyrene is completely resistant to fungus and mold, so it can be used even in a damp environment, such as in basements. Insulation granules almost do not absorb water, but foam plastic sometimes attracts rodents, where they make burrows. Polystyrene foam does not support combustion, it is many times safer than wood. In order for it not to catch fire, the temperature must be twice as high as in the case of wood. When burning, it releases less heat. The material is completely safe for the environment and human health.

However, this thermal insulation has disadvantages, they are expressed in low strength, because the material breaks easily even with a slight impact. For this reason, its surface after installation needs mechanical protection; for this, various mixtures are applied to the base that protect against ultraviolet radiation. Having familiarized yourself with all these features, you can begin gluing the insulation to the metal surface, but it is also important to choose the right composition that will be the most effective.

Types of glue for installing polystyrene foam boards

Adhesive compositions for installing insulation boards of this type are of two types: specialized and universal.
The first type is intended for installation of only a specific insulation. Universal adhesives are more preferable because... they not only qualitatively fix the insulation to the wall surface, but also create a reinforcing layer. Glue can be made on the basis of bitumen or a cement-polymer substance. Mastic-based solutions are capable of creating a waterproofing layer due to the high bitumen content in their composition. However, the application of such adhesive must be carried out continuously, without visible breaks. Among other things, such adhesive does not require thermal exposure before installation, and the adhesive mass is always highly plastic.

Adhesives based on cement-polymer materials are used for all types of work. They do an excellent job of installing polystyrene foam on concrete, brick foam concrete surfaces, as well as on drywall. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to thoroughly prime the surface.

What properties are important for glue?

Before you start choosing an adhesive, you should clearly understand what properties this solution should have.

The adhesive material used for installing polystyrene foam boards must have the following properties:

• Possess high resistance to low temperatures.
• It is acceptable to use it for outdoor work.
• Provide high adhesion to surfaces that need to be fixed.
• Be easy to use.
• Do not contain any solvents, as well as gasoline, acetone, ether and similar substances.

It is best to choose an adhesive composition containing plasticizers, bitumen or composite mixtures.

Professionals say that these compounds can ideally replace polystyrene foam adhesive mixtures, which are quite difficult to find in modern construction stores.

Tips and instructions for gluing foam

First of all, you need to remember a number of general rules for gluing foam plastic, which must be taken into account regardless of the chosen adhesive composition:

1. Glue must be applied in at least 5 places.
2. No manipulations should be performed with the panels until the glue is completely dry.
3. In the case of external pasting, it is necessary to select a composition that would correspond to the temperature and weather conditions of the region where you live.

Before gluing the sheets, you need to prepare the surface. First of all, it is cleaned of old paint, dirt, rust, etc., and then degreased.

Silicone, liquid nails and similar mixtures are applied pointwise or in stripes in increments of 5-7 cm.

It is this distance that allows for the most reliable gluing of the foam to the metal surface. If dry mixtures are used, the sheet will need to be additionally pressed over the entire area with plywood.

For work you will need the following materials:

1. Degreaser. The metal surface can be treated with technical alcohol, gasoline, white spirit, kerosene and compositions specially developed for this.
2. Means for gluing sheets. To choose from: foam, silicone sealant, aerosol glue, PVA, liquid nails.
3. If possible, burlap.
4. If foam or spray adhesive is used, you need to prepare a special cleaning solvent.

During work you will need the following tools:

Tools required for gluing foam: degreaser, sheet adhesive, knife for cutting foam boards, spatulas, gun, measuring tape.

1. Wooden board or sheet plywood in case of using dry adhesive mixtures.
2. Unnecessary clean rags.
3. Protective gloves.
4. Knife for cutting foam boards.
5. Spatulas.
6. Gun when using polyurethane aerosol adhesive.
7. Yardstick.

Gluing is very simple, everything is done in the following sequence:

1. The metal surface is cleaned and degreased.
2. The selected adhesive composition is applied to the foam sheet.
3. The sheet leans against the surface with slight pressure. When using a dry mixture, it is additionally pressed with plywood or a wooden board until the glue dries.

Thus, working with foam is simple, easy and profitable. The set of tools and materials is minimal. Before purchasing a composition, be sure to make sure that it is suitable for use in your climate zone and does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. Good luck!

Preparatory stage - what is important to do before gluing?

Polystyrene foam can be glued to almost any material. Gluing concrete, wood, plastic and polystyrene will take place without any special incidents - almost any glue or putty mixture will do. But with metal things are somewhat more complicated. It is attempts to glue these materials that lead builders to numerous mistakes.

The most common mistake is choosing an adhesive that contains acetone, gasoline or another solvent. Gluing foam boards using such adhesive bases leads to the destruction of the boards themselves. The second type of error is an insufficient amount of adhesive. It must be applied to the back side of the foam boards in at least five places - in the corners and in the middle. In order to save money, many builders apply glue at only three points, which is fundamentally wrong and violates the entire technology.

It doesn’t matter which adhesive base you choose - before gluing the foam to the metal, you should definitely prepare the surface. First, you should thoroughly clean the metal surface of rust, dirt and paint. Any sanding machine - belt or vibrating - is best suited for this. After cleaning, the surface should be degreased with any suitable means.

Adhesive for fixing polystyrene foam

Speaking about how to glue polystyrene foam to wood, you should know that this can be done using various ready-made adhesives.

Polystyrene foam has low adhesion to many materials: wood, concrete slabs, brick. However, polystyrene foam can be easily glued to these materials using any of the following compositions: cement and dry adhesive solutions, frost-resistant adhesives, sealants for external surfaces, etc. You will need to make a reliable adhesive connection that will prevent the formation of mold and mildew. In addition, the connection should not impair the beneficial properties of wood and polystyrene foam boards.

Cement-based dry foam adhesive is a durable and inexpensive option.

One of the most durable and budget-friendly mixtures is dry foam glue, which is made on the basis of cement. Before use, it must be diluted with water. This mixture has high adhesion to almost any material. There is a fairly large assortment of polymer cement-based solutions on sale, which are intended for gluing polystyrene foam boards on all types of substrates. To secure external thermal insulation, you can use an effective polymer-cement composition with mineral fillers. Compositions from some manufacturers can be used to provide protection to polystyrene foam on the front side. The only drawback of such mixtures is that they will harden for approximately 3 days.

You can also use special aerosol mixtures based on polyurethane. They can be suitable both for gluing insulation and for filling seams and voids between slabs. Similar polyurethane-based solutions can be used to secure expanded polystyrene to the internal and external bases of walls, roofs, floor bases, and facade elements. The relatively high cost of such adhesive mixtures is offset by the ease of use and reduction of setting time. You should know that foam plastic boards can be fixed within 2 hours after applying the glue. Additionally, the slabs must be secured with façade anchor bolts.

Polyurethane-based adhesives are fire-resistant, retain their performance characteristics over a wide temperature range and do not emit harmful fumes. All this was achieved thanks to special technical techniques for producing compounds.

In some cases, it may be necessary to glue foam boards together. To do this, you can use any wet or dry adhesive mixture that does not contain solvents.

Each of the adhesive mixtures has its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to choose based on your needs.

Is it advisable to use foam?

With the help of foam, you can simplify and speed up working with foam several times over. It is perfect for those cases when you need to do everything quickly and efficiently. It features high technical characteristics and low consumption. Sold in cylinders, making it easy to transport and use. Compared to simple dry mixtures, it is more expensive, but it pays off, because... 1 cylinder is enough for an average of 20-25 square meters.

The main advantage over aerosol adhesives is that you do not need to use water, electricity or any special equipment to work with foam. During the insulation process, it is possible to save up to 50% of time compared to other popular compounds.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=uKnBQD0SwYo

There is no need to take technical breaks, there is no need to install a layer of reinforcement or drive in dowels, you can work even in cold weather. The foam is characterized by excellent adhesion to polystyrene foam. Resistant to fire and high humidity. Does not support combustion and does not emit substances harmful to human health.

Advantages and procedures for working with aerosol adhesives

More convenient and easier to use is glue that comes in the form of an aerosol. Working with this glue does not require special training; it is applied very quickly and easily. Polyurethane aerosol adhesive can be used for both external and internal work with polystyrene foam. One such cylinder is enough for an average of 10 square meters of foam. The glue hardens in no more than 30 minutes.

Polyurethane aerosol adhesive is applied in strips along the entire perimeter of the foam sheet at a distance of 2-4 cm from the edges.

The work is very simple - you just need to insert the cylinder into the mounting gun and you can get started. The glue is applied in strips along the perimeter of the foam sheet at a distance of 2-4 cm from its edges. Also, stripes must be applied diagonally. You need to try to do everything quickly. After applying the glue, the sheet must be pressed against the wall with slight force.

A bottle of this glue costs a little more than a bag of dry mixture. However, spray adhesive is more economical and convenient to use.

What is most often used for gluing foam?

When figuring out how to glue polystyrene foam to a metal surface, you need to start from a number of basic points, taking into account which you can choose the most suitable composition. First of all, it is necessary to consider the type of surface to which the material will be glued.

You should definitely pay attention to the type of foam itself. Otherwise, the choice of composition with which it would be possible to glue foam plastic to a metal surface comes down to determining the most economically advantageous option

Before choosing a suitable adhesive composition, you should take into account the type of foam and pay attention to the surface to which the material will be attached. Polystyrene foam can be glued to metal using various dry mixtures, aerosol adhesives, silicone sealants, polyurethane foam and any other materials that do not react with foam plastic.

It is important that the glue does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. They will simply “burn through” the material

When choosing a composition, pay attention to its components and price

Polystyrene foam can be glued to metal using various dry mixtures, aerosol adhesives, silicone sealants, polyurethane foam and any other materials that do not react with foam plastic.

It is important that the glue does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. They will simply “burn through” the material

When choosing a composition, pay attention to its components and price

Currently, one of the most widely used materials for gluing foam is polyurethane foam. It is able to adhere to any materials and has many positive properties, namely:

1. You can work with her even without such experience.
2. Foam allows you to efficiently, easily and quickly glue foam to any surface, including a metal surface.
3. The composition is quite cheap and is sold in cylinders, which makes its use as convenient as possible. In addition, with the help of foam you can not only glue foam plastic, but also seal the seams between individual slabs.

The only drawback of this material is that it dries out very quickly, as a result of which the tube may simply become clogged before the entire composition is used. This problem is solved by washing the tube with a special solvent. If you use foam, it is better to immediately buy this solvent.

Polyurethane foam will not only allow you to quickly and cheaply glue foam to a metal surface, but will also help seal the seams between the plates.

One-component polyurethane adhesive is also often used. It is also sold in cylinders, but requires additional costs for the purchase of a special pistol.

Some home DIYers glue foam using a combination of glue and liquid nails. The latter set quite quickly, making work much faster and more convenient than with simple glue. However, liquid nails are less reliable than glue, so using them alone is not recommended, especially if the foam is glued to an inclined metal surface or to the ceiling, for example, in a garage. In most cases, approximately 65-70% of the panel surface is treated with glue, and the remaining part with liquid nails. This allows you to work without using plywood supports, as required when working with glue alone.

If you need to cover a small metal surface with polystyrene foam, you can get by with simple double-sided tape. However, in monetary terms it is much more expensive than other adhesives, so it is advisable to use it only for very modest repairs.

If you can attach burlap to the metal surface before gluing the foam, it will make the rest of the job even easier. It will be possible to use ordinary construction PVA. This composition is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.

Using polyurethane glue

When thinking about how to glue foam plastic to metal, the consumer quite often chooses polyurethane glue; it is the most suitable for carrying out this work. The mixture is available in convenient cylinders, but you will also need a mounting gun. If the work is single, then it is best to purchase a cheap tool, because it will not be used constantly.

If you decide to resort to this technology, then you must follow a certain sequence of actions. The adhesive is applied to the surface of the thermal insulation in dots or strips; the distance between individual dots should be approximately 7 cm or less. After waiting a few minutes for the dots to dry a little, the plate must be carefully pressed against the metal surface. This is exactly the case when the slabs need to be supported with plywood or boards. After just 20 minutes, the support can be removed.

Feasibility of using foam

The use of foam as an adhesive makes working with foam faster and easier. Its use is advisable if all actions need to be carried out efficiently and quickly. The product is characterized by low consumption and excellent technical characteristics.

Advantages of using foam:

• ease of operation;
• there is no need for technical breaks - the work time is halved;
• no need to hammer in dowels or install a layer of reinforcement;
• installation work can be carried out even in the cold season;
• has increased resistance to fire.

Foam is more expensive than simple dry mixes, but is worth the expense. 1 cylinder is enough for 20-25 m2. Even a beginner can carry out installation work on gluing foam plastic to metal, subject to certain rules. By making the connection yourself, a novice master will be able to save money and also be confident in the quality of the work performed.

How to glue two pieces of polystyrene?

Today, for gluing polystyrene blocks together, most people prefer special adhesive foam. This is easily explained, because the foam is immediately ready for use. No additional components are required, and you do not have to prepare a solution. Foam is sold in cans, but to use them you need a mounting gun. With this single tool, even an amateur can apply foam to the surface in an even layer. Also, the advantages of glue include:

• ideal adhesion - superior to all dry mixtures;
• efficiency - minimal consumption of substance, one cylinder allows you to treat an area of ​​up to 15 square meters;
• versatility - used both for gluing blocks and for caulking joints.
• It can be added that it adheres perfectly even at very low temperatures.

Choosing glue for polystyrene

If you have a question about how to glue polystyrene, you need to pay attention to the primary characteristics of the glue that is offered to you. This:

• safety - avoid containing hazardous chemicals in the glue;
• moisture resistance - condensation and exposure to water should not affect the stickiness;
• grip on surfaces should not be below average;
• resistance to climate change;
• density - the glue must be thick enough so as not to drain from the surface;

The nuances of proper gluing and reinforcement of polystyrene

If you plan to glue products made of extruded polystyrene foam and conventional foam, the following nuances of the technology should be taken into account:

• polystyrene is processed using a needle roller for better adhesion;
• It is recommended to cover the foam with long-fiber paper.

If you need to solve the problem of how to increase the strength of a structure based on foamed polymers after gluing, you should use the following recommendations:

• in the case of interior decor or crafts made from foam plastic, the solution is to create an external reinforcing frame made of paper;
• if it is necessary to reinforce structural elements, it is advisable to use fiberglass.

Also, polystyrene foam can be “armored” using gypsum or acrylic plaster.

Polystyrene foam, penoplex, expanded polystyrene - are they the same thing?

The name “foam plastic” combines foamed materials based on polymers. The raw materials can be polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde plastics, as well as polystyrene. In everyday life, the polystyrene version (expanded polystyrene) is more common. This lightweight snow-white material is used for the manufacture of protective packaging, thermal insulation panels, disposable tableware, and elements of life jackets.

Another type of porous polymer is also made from polystyrene - extruded polystyrene foam. One of its trade names is penoplex. It has the same chemical composition as expanded polystyrene, but differs in production technology. To obtain it, the extrusion method is used - squeezing out a polystyrene mass foamed with a special agent.

Penoplex

Penoplex has the appearance of frozen foam of a yellowish tint. Penoplex blocks are used in construction to insulate walls, roofs and communications; model details and letters are cut out of them.

Installation technology

Before starting work, you need to check that you have all the necessary tools that may be needed throughout the entire foam installation process.

Below is a minimal list of what may be useful when working:

• Gloves and cloth material; It is better to have rubber or cloth gloves; the use of cellophane gloves is unacceptable.
• An industrial knife that will be used to separate sheets of foam.
• Tape measure for precise area measurements.
• Several spatulas.
• A piece of wood or plywood to support the foam boards.
• A grinding machine that thoroughly cleans metal.
• Surface degreasing agents: white spirit, gasoline or any other detergent.
• An adhesive solution that was selected in accordance with operating conditions.
• The required number of foam sheets.

First, you need to especially thoroughly clean the metal surface from any dirt, rust or paint residues on it, and then completely degrease the entire area of ​​the metal surface with any available means. The modern construction industry offers a huge number of adhesive materials, the use of which mainly depends on the personal desire of the installer. They all have both positive and negative sides.

Using polyurethane foam

Polyurethane foam is quite convenient and easy to use and does not require any special skills to use it. It adheres to absolutely any surface, but it dries quickly enough, so delay is unacceptable when working with it.

The foam is produced in small cylinders that have a convenient outlet tube. This helps to apply it quickly and ensures high quality installation. Polyurethane foam is the simplest material for working with foam and metal.

Application of polyurethane glue

This type of glue has become the second most popular for home use in small quantities. The form of release of polyurethane glue is identical to the form of release of polyurethane foam - small cylinders with a guide outlet tube, however, to work with polyurethane glue you need a special gun that squeezes the mixture onto the desired surface.

Polyurethane adhesive is usually applied in dots or stripes over the entire surface of the foam sheet.

Liquid nails for gluing foam to metal

Liquid nails have lower surface bonding strength than the previous option, but after the first contact of the surfaces there is no need to provide support for the foam sheet.

Using PVA glue

If you want to use PVA glue for installation, then this method will provide a fairly good degree of adhesion of the foam, but you will need to create an additional layer between the surfaces with burlap. To make the work easier, you can first glue the burlap onto the foam, wait until it dries, and then continue working.

For finishing small areas with polystyrene foam, it is possible to use double-sided construction tape. This type of connection is of very high quality, as well as a high price. If you are not afraid of excessive financial costs, then this method is for you.

So, as you can see, there are no particular difficulties when installing various types of insulation. Of course, if you are doing this for the first time, then you will need some time to develop the necessary skills, but, as practice shows, almost every person is able to do this work on their own. In this case, you will not only be confident in the high quality of the installation, but you will also be able to save a fairly large amount of financial resources that can be spent on more important things in your home.

How to prepare the surface

No matter what adhesive is used, the preparation process is always the same. If the metal is not properly processed, then no glue will provide reliable fastening of the foam.

Materials and tools for work:

• Metal brush . Used to clean the surface and remove rust and old paint residues. Instead of a hand tool, you can use a power tool - a drill or grinder with a special metal brush;

A special wire brush will help you quickly remove rust and paint from the metal surface.

• Paint remover . It is used if there are several layers of old paint on the surface, which does not adhere very well and may peel off later. The composition is easy to apply, but is toxic and requires compliance with safety measures;

Paint remover in aerosol packaging is very convenient to use

• Solvent. Used to degrease surfaces. Personally, I use the P-646 composition; it is inexpensive and well suited for preparing metal for further processing;

Solvent R-646 is used for cleaning and degreasing metal in preparation for insulation

• Composition “3 in 1” for metal surfaces . A special composition consisting of paint, primer and anti-corrosion treatment. After application, the surface will be reliably protected from rust for many years. If you have metal without pockets of corrosion, then you can use ordinary primer for metal, its price is much lower;

Special paints with anti-corrosion additives are the best preparation of metal for insulation

• Brush or roller . Used for applying paint. For large, flat areas, a roller is more suitable. For designs with many curves and angles, it is better to use a brush.

The brush should have thick bristles to ensure high-quality application of paint or primer to metal

Metal surface preparation:

How to glue foam to other materials?

Some types of glue designed to hold sheets of insulation together are not suitable for other materials. Therefore, when choosing a composition, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the surfaces to which the insulation sheets will be attached.

• Concrete. When insulating the walls of a house under siding, foam plastic is attached directly to the concrete. The most universal adhesive option for such insulation is polyurethane foam or PVA.
• Metal. Liquid nails, polyurethane glue, and PVA are suitable for attaching polystyrene foam to metal. Also, a good result will be when using double-sided tape if the area to be pasted is small.

PVA glue

• Textile. For gluing fabric surfaces, aerosol or universal glue and liquid nails are usually used.
• Glass. The best option for bonding polystyrene foam to glass would be epoxy, universal or spray adhesive.

Adhesive spray

Paper. To increase the thermal insulation of a room, the walls of the house are often insulated from the inside, after which cosmetic repairs are carried out

It is important to remember that you cannot glue wallpaper over polystyrene foam. It is necessary to cover the insulation with plasterboard

And for wallpaper, regular wallpaper adhesive is suitable. Tree. To glue insulation to wooden surfaces or plywood, instant or polyurethane glue and liquid nails are used.

Useful tips

Several recommendations for choosing material and gluing technology:

• before purchasing, check the composition of the glue and make sure there are no components that destroy polystyrene;
• buy glue with a small reserve in case of possible overuse;
• pre-test the adhesive composition on an unnecessary piece of foam;
• for better adhesion, sand the surface of the polystyrene foam with sandpaper, walk over it with a needle roller or make notches;
• on large parts, glue should be applied around the perimeter and pointwise, in several places - along the inner surface;
• When gluing with polyurethane foam, leave the fragments under pressure until completely dry.

I hope the material presented is enough to glue foam in any situation. The next video is about how to use hot melt adhesive to join polystyrene foam.

Features of working with dry mixtures

Scheme for applying glue to polystyrene foam.

The most budget option is gluing using a dry mixture, which is diluted with a certain amount of water immediately before use. Such mixtures are made on a cement base. Before gluing foam using this mixture, be sure to read the information on its packaging. It must be indicated that it is intended specifically for working with foam plastic. Such mixtures are reliable and durable. Before gluing foam plastic with them, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of various dirt, remove, if any, remnants of old plaster and any kind of delamination. Manufacturers of such mixtures recommend priming the working surface before gluing the foam.

The mixture can be applied to individual areas or as a continuous layer

It is important that there are at least 5 glue application points on each sheet of foam.

How can you not glue foam plastic, what destroys it?

Not just any glue is suitable for gluing this type of polymer. Some of the commercially available and quite popular adhesive compositions contain components that react chemically with the foam. When they come into contact with the polymer, it partially dissolves, leading to deformation. What can not be used to glue this type of plastic?

List of substances unsuitable for working with foam:

• compositions containing acetone (usually they are used for preliminary degreasing of the seam area before gluing);
• petroleum derivatives (gasoline, kerosene, xylene and their analogues, as well as types of glue containing them);
• alcohols (may be present in glue, primer or degreasing fluid).

Required Tools

The set of tools and auxiliary materials required for gluing foam depends on the fixing agent used. In any case, you should prepare:

• polystyrene foam of the selected thickness, its quantity should be equal to the area that needs to be covered plus 10% for waste;
• a small spatula and a rag to remove excess adhesive mass; if they are not removed, hard lumps will form;
• a primer for treating the main surface to which the foam will be attached;
• wide primer brush;
• knife for cutting foam.

If you plan to additionally secure the slabs with dowels, then you need:

• hammer drill with 10 mm drill;
• hammer;
• special dowels shaped like umbrellas (fungi).

Installation of polystyrene foam on the balcony

When using a dry mixture, the following are additionally required:

• tap water;
• plastic mixing container;
• construction mixer (drill attachment);
• spatula-comb for applying the composition to the foam.

If aerosol glue is used, then a special mounting gun is required into which the can is inserted.

What you will need

Pre-prepared:

• measuring device (tape tape), knife, spatulas;
• rubber (or cloth) gloves, burlap or clean rags;
• degreaser;
• grinding machine (for cleaning metal surfaces);
• adhesive composition;
• wooden support or plywood sheet for the foam board.

When using spray adhesive or foam, you should also stock up on cleaning fluid.

Expanded polystyrene - what's what and why?

The correct technical name for the well-known polystyrene foam is expanded polystyrene. If you look closely at this material from a short distance, you will find that it consists of many small balls that stick together - these are polystyrene granules that have been foamed under high pressure and temperature and compressed in a press.

Because of this technology, in the structure of the foam there are many invisible microcells in which air is located. Thanks to this, the material acquires airy lightness and the properties of a very good insulation. Consumers fell in love with it for its extremely low cost - in fact, it is the cheapest thermal insulator, and builders appreciated its technical characteristics. We will dwell on this in more detail, because along with the popularity of the material, like mushrooms after rain, numerous myths about its shortcomings also grew.

Polystyrene foam is very durable - polystyrene retains its shape for at least 25 years when used outside and for at least half a century when used inside. You will probably be surprised, because many people talk about its fragility. Indeed, ultraviolet radiation and constant exposure to moisture can shorten the service life. But these same factors can shorten the life of almost any building material, including various types of insulation.

Expanded polystyrene is not afraid of mold and fungi - thanks to this, it can also be used in a humid environment, for example, in a basement. Polystyrene granules practically do not absorb moisture. However, they say that all kinds of rodents can easily make holes in polystyrene foam. Again, this is only partially true - if rodents have something to eat, they will make holes even in concrete. Deprive them of food or kill them with poison, and you won't have to think about their relationship with the foam.

Foam plastic does not support combustion - no matter what they say, but this material is many times safer than the same wood. In order for it to ignite, the temperature is twice as high as in the case of wood, and when burning it produces much less heat. The material is safe for human health and the environment - among the common myths there is also the myth that the material is allegedly harmful to human health. But dozens of studies have already refuted this myth a long time ago. Look around you, there is a huge amount of much more harmful materials around you.

One of the disadvantages of polystyrene foam is its low strength - it breaks easily, and even a small blow can leave a dent on its surface. For this reason, it must be protected from mechanical damage - traditionally, plaster mixtures are used for this. They also protect the material from exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Review of popular brands

The adhesive composition used for gluing polystyrene foam sheets to metal must be characterized by:

• endurance to decrease in temperature;
• possibility of use for outdoor work;
• absence of any solvents in the product;
• guaranteed high degree of adhesion of bonded surfaces;
• ease of use.

It is preferable to choose a composition that contains composite mixtures, bitumen or plasticizers.

"Ceresit"

Due to their high quality, the brand’s products are respected by professional builders. Advantages of the adhesive composition "Ceresit":

• Ideally applied to foam blocks;
• good ductility;
• can be used for interior and exterior work, resistant to temperature changes and various atmospheric phenomena;
• impact-resistant, vapor-permeable composition;
• environmentally friendly;
• long period of adjustment (20-25 min.).

Disadvantage: The working solution must be used within 2 hours.

"Moment"

The Moment glue line is expanding every year. Positive properties of the composition:

• even with prolonged use, the adhesive seam does not crack;
• has excellent technical characteristics;
• does not shrink or deform when dried;
• frost resistance, water resistance, heat resistance;
• the adhesive is available in containers of different volumes;
• short drying period.

The disadvantages include the unpleasant odor of the glue (disappears only after complete drying), and is more often subject to counterfeiting (as a result of which the composition contains toxic components that are harmful to health).

"Master Termol"

Combined adhesive for polystyrene foam “Master Termol” has the following properties:

• long period of adjustment of slabs (up to 50 minutes);
• high adhesion and ductility;
• the composition is environmentally friendly;
• the lowest temperature for using the mixture is -5 ˚С, which allows installation work to begin earlier and finish later;
• the technological movement time is 12 hours, after which the foam can be doweled.

Time to use the finished composition is 30 minutes, material consumption per 1 m2 is 6 kg.

"Profline 3K-45"

An adhesive mixture for installing foam plastic and mineral wool, which is suitable for interior and exterior decoration. Positive properties of the composition:

• ease of use;
• moisture resistance, elasticity, frost resistance;
• economy;
• high adhesion;
• Shelf life of the finished mixture is 2 hours;
• environmentally friendly product.

During preparation of the composition, preventive safety measures should be observed. The dry mixture is characterized by increased dust formation, so it is necessary to protect the eyes and respiratory tract from it.

"Penoplex Fastfix"

Highly effective composition for installation of thermal insulation. Advantages of glue:

• universal - glues foam equally well to various surfaces, including metal;
• ease of use - time for preparing the adhesive is reduced;
• heat resistance – not afraid of temperature differences from -50 to +90 ˚С;
• after the glue hardens, thermal conductivity is not impaired;
• no shrinkage.

Those who have used Penoplex Fastfix adhesive consider the disadvantages to be the fact that the amount of work performed to cover the surface does not correspond to what is mentioned on the packaging; it is much less.

What varieties are suitable

In order to reliably connect puzzles into a single picture, various gluing means are used. Both special glue and those intended for other household purposes are used.

Specialized

Along with a set of puzzles, special glue is often placed in the box. It has a liquid consistency and is able to penetrate between elements and firmly connect them. The glue is odorless and colorless; it can form a glossy layer on the front side, after which the picture does not need to be varnished.

PVA

The properties of special glue and PVA are not very different. To reliably connect the assembled puzzles, PVA is applied to them along the front side with a brush, filling all the joints and gaps. After drying, white stains will become transparent and form a matte film on the surface of the glued picture.

Wallpaper for vinyl coverings

Elastic adhesion of the elements can be obtained after using glue for vinyl wallpaper. The advantage of the composition is the ability to prepare glue of different thicknesses.

Rating and review of the best brands

You can purchase several brands of puzzle glue in specialized stores. They differ in the quality of the adhesion and the appearance of the glued elements.

Step puzzle

Step puzzle glue is odorless, dries in 2 hours, 80 ml is enough to glue 1000 puzzle pieces. It is poured onto the front surface of the painting in two layers with a break of 1.5 hours. A thin transparent film is formed. If the parts were a little torn, thanks to Step puzzle they are neatly connected and become even. You should strengthen the picture on the back side by applying another layer of glue to it.

Ravensburger Puzzle Conserve

The glue is convenient to use because it comes in a can designed for 4000 elements. The liquid comes from it through a foam nozzle, which does not dry out and remains in working condition for a long time. Ravensburger dries in an hour, leaving a shiny film on the surface of the puzzles. After application to the front side, the painting does not need to be turned over, since the final quality of the connection is high.

KSK-M

Using a bottle of synthetic glue KSK-M, you can assemble a mosaic with an area of ​​at least 0.4 square meters. After applying several layers to the front surface, its drying time is about 2 hours. Until this happens, it can be washed off with a soap solution.

Educa

Glue for fixing puzzles is produced in a bottle, in the upper part of which there is a sponge, the composition is squeezed onto it and applied to the outer surface of the picture. The glue dries in an hour and leaves no marks or streaks. One can is enough to fix 5000 elements.

"Ginger cat"

The bottle of Red Cat glue has a dispenser through which the composition is squeezed onto the finished picture or onto a small piece of sponge. With light movements it is distributed over the surface of the assembled puzzles. Two hours after drying, the painting is placed on the base and in the frame.

Fix Puzzle Conserver Permanent

Using this brand of glue, you will not need a brush, since the bottle is equipped with a sponge spout. The picture made from puzzles is wiped and the composition is applied to the front part so that it gets into all the gaps and crevices. Shake the bottle first.