How to glue foam to concrete on the ceiling

White foam ceiling tiles photo

Foam insulation in the form of slabs has been used for a long time. There are many practice-tested options for finishing the ceiling surface. Among them, stretch and suspended ceilings made of plasterboard, structures made of eurolining and other materials are common. But foam board is popular. It is characterized by rigidity and density, durability, and is not exposed to moisture.

Foam ceiling tiles are environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing, resistant to aggressive chemicals, and have good noise and heat insulation properties. You can glue it yourself.

This is a very popular material in construction. Foam slabs are used to insulate house facades, ceilings and walls of apartments, loggias and balconies, and basements.

Foam plastic is well fixed on surfaces made of foam concrete and brick, glass magnesite and concrete, gas silicate, and it can also be glued to plywood and wood, plasterboard and OSB boards. for gluing the foam plastic depend on these characteristics .

Rules for choosing an adhesive composition

Today, dozens of types of adhesive compositions are presented in stores. Not everyone is suitable for polystyrene foam. Some substances simply corrode the material. You cannot purchase glue that contains the following components:

Alcohols.
Ketones.
Amines.
Gas derivatives: hexane, propane.
Substances obtained as a result of hydrocarbon processing: kerosene, gasoline.
Ethers.

When choosing glue, the location of the work is taken into account. Some compounds cannot withstand low temperatures and are therefore not suitable for insulating building facades. The means for fixing foam plastic to a concrete wall are liquid nails, dry mixtures, mounting adhesive - foam, PVA, adhesive mastic.

Preparing the ceiling for gluing

Installation of tiles begins only after cleaning the surface.

Remove old finishes from the ceiling - oil paint, whitewash, wallpaper.
Dents, wide and deep cracks, and significant irregularities are removed using putty.
Prime the surface for better adhesion to the material.

It is also recommended to prepare the tiles. 2-3 days before work, it is left in a warm, dry room. During this time, excess moisture evaporates and after gluing, no gaps form between the elements.

Immediately before starting work, the room is de-energized. Ceiling lamps are removed, the chandelier shade is protected with film or paper. Close all doors and windows to eliminate drafts.

If the tiles are too transparent, dark spots may show through the tiles and through the grout lines. In such cases, it is advised to first coat the ceiling with water-based paint or choose a white primer.

Liquid Nails

The first thing that comes to mind when answering the question of how to glue foam to concrete is liquid nails. They are made on the basis of synthetic rubber with the addition of polymers. Thanks to this, the composition hardens even in conditions of high humidity. This glue is suitable for cellars, basements and garages. The main condition for its use is that the concrete surfaces must be smooth.

Liquid nails have the following advantages:

They do not smell and do not release toxic substances into the air.
High adhesive strength.
The glue sets within 10-15 minutes. Complete drying occurs after 24 hours.
Minimum consumption.
Frost resistance. Liquid nails are used to insulate the external and internal surfaces of a building.

The disadvantage of this glue is its high price. The composition has a negative effect on the skin of the hands, and therefore you need to work with it with gloves.

Features of application

Before use, a bottle of liquid nails is placed in a special gun. The glue is squeezed out in portions. It is applied to each foam plastic slab at 8-10 points. There is no need to distribute it over the entire surface.

After applying the glue, the slab is immediately applied to the wall. You need to press it for 10 minutes. Otherwise, it will shift under its own weight. After finishing the work, the seams between the sheets are coated with sealant.

Trade marks

Not just any liquid nails are suitable for foam plastic. Many contain substances that destroy the structure of the insulating material. When choosing, you should give preference to the following brands:

The moment of installation . Packaged in 250 gram tubes. Bonding force – 70kg/m2. Sets in 15 minutes. It takes 24 hours to dry completely.
Stayer Professional . One tube contains 280 ml of glue. For every square meter of surface, 300 to 500 grams of such liquid nails are required. The composition sets in 12 minutes and takes 24 hours to dry completely.
Quelyd Mastifix Ultra. One package contains 450 grams of adhesive composition. It features increased adhesive strength up to 150 kg/m2. Sets in 10 minutes. Complete drying occurs 72 hours after application.

Since liquid nails are not cheap, before purchasing it is important to accurately calculate the required quantity, based on the size of the room.

How to glue foam plastic to the ceiling using markings

When applying markings, it is necessary to use a marking cord, because this greatly simplifies the installation process and also improves the quality of gluing. As a rule, two people are involved in the marking process. The cord is stretched from one corner of the ceiling to the other along both diagonals; the resulting point of intersection of the diagonals is the center of the ceiling surface, and it is from here that the gluing process must begin.

Foam tiles can be glued directly one after another, or by moving the panels halfway, it all depends on the individual vision (more: “What to glue ceiling tiles on”).

Dry mixes

If the insulated walls are uneven, have cracks and large cavities, then it is better to use dry mixtures to attach the foam. They are made on the basis of cement. Polymers are added to them to increase astringent properties. Such adhesives are easy to use and have a number of advantages:

Long service life.
Frost resistance.
Hardens in 20 minutes. This makes it possible to adjust the position of the foam sheet on the wall.
Low price.

Such adhesives cannot be used for installing slabs in low ambient temperatures. To get a high-quality result, it is important to follow the instructions for diluting the glue with water.

Terms of use

Before gluing foam plastic to concrete walls, they are properly prepared. To do this, all surfaces are cleaned of dirt and treated with a primer. It is better to fill deep cracks with putty first.

The dry composition is mixed with water in the proportions indicated on the packaging. Mix thoroughly with a construction mixer. The presence of lumps in the finished solution is not allowed.

If the walls are smooth, then the mixture is applied to a sheet of foam plastic in a thin layer with a notched trowel. If there are irregularities, apply glue in a thick layer.

The plate is applied to the wall. Press it for 15-20 minutes. It is important to ensure that the gaps between the foam sheets are minimal. They are subsequently sealed with putty or sealant.

Trade marks

The selection of dry mixtures in modern stores is huge. The following brands are popular:

Ceresit CT 83 . The composition is characterized by low consumption. One square meter of surface requires 5 kilograms of glue. Sets in 20 minutes. Dries completely in 90 minutes. The resulting adhesive layer does not lose its properties at temperatures from -50 to +70 degrees Celsius.
Knauf Flex. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The resulting adhesive joint can withstand temperature changes, dynamic loads, and moisture. Sets in 10 minutes. It takes 48 hours for the solution to dry completely.
Berghome MK-35 . Easy to mix and apply. The maximum layer thickness is 5 mm. Setting time: 10 minutes, complete drying after 48 hours.

Dry mixtures are packaged in craft bags of various sizes. To insulate walls with foam plastic, it is more economical to purchase packages of 25 kg.

There are several ways to glue foam:

Glue them to the surface and secure them with dowels.
You can first place the foam on glue, and then strengthen it with special umbrella dowels.
Place in the sheathing
Glue directly onto the ceiling plane
Mechanical fastening using mushrooms, anchors and studs, etc.

Bonding polystyrene foam ceiling tiles to the ceiling

The tile ceiling is done in stages. First you need to measure the surface area of the ceiling and calculate, taking into account the adjustment, how many slabs you need to purchase. Before you start gluing foam, you need to stock up on the necessary materials and tools.

Use a drill and a special attachment for a construction mixer to stir the mixture and glue.
With a spatula-comb.
With a narrow spatula.
Use a wide metal spatula to level the surface.
Primer needed to prepare the surface to be repaired
Hammer with a 10 mm drill.
A plastic container for preparing the solution if a dry mixture will be used.
Wide primer brush.
Knife or other tool for cutting slabs
With a hammer.

Mounting adhesive foam

Construction adhesive - foam is a one-component polyurethane aerosol. It is available in metal cylinders. They create high pressure, which helps to easily apply the composition to foam boards. This glue has a number of advantages over analogues:

No smell. The composition does not release toxic substances into the air.
Moisture and frost resistance.
High adhesion to building materials.
Possibility of use indoors and outdoors.
Mold resistant.
Use at low ambient temperatures.

The disadvantage of this glue is the need for its even application. As the foam dries, it increases in volume. If there is more of it in one place than in others, the slabs will be skewed.

Recommendations for use

Before using foam adhesive, protect your hands with gloves and your eyes with goggles. Contact of product components on mucous surfaces is hazardous to health. The container is shaken and filled into a special gun. Without it, it is impossible to control the release of the substance from the package.

Adhesive foam is applied directly to the wall or to a foam board. It is important that it occupies no more than 40% of the surface to be pasted. The composition is applied along the perimeter of the sheet or in separate fragments in a checkerboard pattern. The plate is applied to the wall and pressed for five minutes. The foam protruding from the edges is removed.

Is it possible to glue ceiling tiles in the bathroom?

It must be taken into account that there is always a high level of humidity in the room. Therefore, it is impossible to cover the ceiling with stamped tiles here - they do not tolerate such an environment. After installation, you can paint the surface with waterproof paint, but there is a more practical option.

Extruded laminated tiles are suitable for bathrooms and bathrooms. But the packaging must indicate that the product is resistant to humid environments. To do this, the manufacturer coats it with compounds with hydrophobic properties.

PVA glue

PVA glue is a cheap and easy-to-use means for fixing foam plastic to a concrete wall. It is an aqueous emulsion of polyvinyl acetate. Plasticizers and special additives are added to it, which improve the characteristics of the composition.

The advantage of this glue is its liquid consistency. It easily fills small cavities and levels the surface. The adhesive joint easily withstands low temperatures, and therefore PVA is suitable for facade work.

The disadvantage of the composition is the low degree of fixation. After a short time, the plates may simply peel off.

More often, PVA is used to pre-fix foam to the wall. After the slabs are finally secured with dowels.

Advantages and disadvantages of foam panels

Of course, at present, like many modern building materials, foam tiles have some disadvantages, one of which is fragility, which is especially typical for cheap models. With prolonged ultraviolet exposure, there is a possibility of yellowing of the tiles. In addition, there is the possibility of mold or mildew developing in damp areas, although this problem can be easily solved with a water-based coating.

However, a rather big disadvantage of such panels is their ability to allow steam to pass through, which makes the process of absorbing unnecessary moisture impossible.

As for the advantages of foam panels, in this case their number greatly outweighs the disadvantages:

Firstly, this is the ability of the material to stick to a variety of planes.
Secondly, unlimited choice of application location.
Thirdly, durability, because with the optimal choice, foam tiles can be in excellent condition for many years.
Fourthly, a large selection of adhesives and devices for gluing (from budget to the most professional and highly specialized).
Fifthly, there is relatively little resistance when cutting, which allows the panel to be mounted easily and easily.
Sixthly, the purity of the material.
And finally, seventhly, low cost, which is the key to wide distribution.

Adhesive mastic

Coating adhesive mastic is made from a mixture of petroleum bitumen, mineral fibers, organic solvent and various technological additives. It looks like a paste-like mass of uniform consistency.

This composition has the following advantages over analogues:

Mastic does not lose its properties in conditions of high air humidity.
Available in ready-made form, does not require dilution.
Allows you to create an additional waterproofing layer between the foam and the wall.
Dries completely in 20-25 minutes.
Provides a durable, reliable connection between the foam and the concrete wall.

Mastic is a flammable material. Its use near open sources of fire is not allowed.

Features of application

Before starting work, you need to carefully prepare the walls. To do this, they are cleaned of dirt and dust, and a layer of primer is applied. If there are traces of plaster or whitewash on the surfaces, they must be removed with a spatula.

The mastic is applied to the slabs in a thin layer. A comb spatula helps with this. The composition can be applied in strips or in separate sections.

Each sheet is pressed against the wall for 20 minutes. For this purpose, temporary supports are used. If the surfaces are uneven, the plates are additionally secured with dowels.

All work is carried out in calm, dry weather. The ambient temperature must be at least -5 degrees Celsius. It is prohibited to use mastic in a room where natural or forced ventilation is not equipped.

The range of products for gluing foam plastic to concrete is huge. When choosing, you need to focus on the size and characteristics of the visit, as well as financial capabilities. You should purchase glue from a trusted store with a good reputation. Only there you can buy safe and high-quality goods.

Types of ceiling tiles

Expanded polystyrene products can be glued to concrete, brick, and wood. The cladding hides minor surface imperfections. Another advantage is the thermal and sound insulation of the room. If an individual element is damaged, it is simply replaced without resorting to repairing the entire coating. The tiles are easy to care for. It can be cleaned with a dry cloth and a vacuum cleaner. Dirt is removed from laminated products using detergents; this does not cause them to become deformed.

Mostly white slabs are produced with various relief patterns that imitate stucco or decorative textured coating. Such products are intended for painting, but there are also colored laminated panels coated with a protective layer.

According to the production method, tiles are:

Extruded - made by pressing polystyrene. It has a smooth surface, without grain. They produce laminated material of different colors, with imitation of marble and wood. This is the most expensive option for ceiling tiles. It has high strength and noise absorption, is easy to clean and recovers from deformation.
Stamped - made of polystyrene foam. The surface is looser, grainier, polystyrene granules are clearly visible. It is cheaper than its analogues. The design is created using the stamping method. The tile does not tolerate moisture well and is not suitable for the bathroom and kitchen. Due to the wide pores, dirt gets clogged into it. It is inconvenient to work with stamped polystyrene foam because it is brittle and wrinkles a lot. To make the cladding last longer, it is painted.
Injection - made by sintering polystyrene foam in a special form. Features a clear pattern. This is an intermediate option between extruded and pressed products. The product is characterized by good noise absorption. The product is relatively resistant to moisture and tolerates painting well.

According to the method of edge design, they are distinguished:

Seamless tiles . It received this name because there are no seams during installation. It creates the feeling of a monolithic surface, as if the ceiling was painted or bleached.
With decorative edging . On panels of this type, a chamfer of various shapes and sizes is cast around the perimeter. When gluing, a small seam remains between the elements, which is intended solely for decorative purposes.

Seamless polystyrene tiles come in two types:

With curly edges (zigzag or wavy) - this way the joints are less visible to the eye.
With a calibrated edge - the edges of the tile are so smooth and perfectly sized that the joints between them are barely visible. Often such products are made with decorative filling - the front side is decorated with an ornament (leaves, flowers, waves), which visually distracts attention from the seams and makes them less noticeable.

Note! On an uneven surface it is difficult to lay tiles so that the joints are invisible. If you choose a seamless coating, you will need to first level the base.

Typically, square-shaped ceiling tiles measuring 50x50 cm are on sale. But other formats are also available: 30x60, 30x70, 40x40, 40x70 and 60x60 cm. The shape visually enlarges or reduces the room. The smaller the square, the larger the room appears.

One of the disadvantages of the material is that it fades or turns yellow when exposed to sunlight. Also, tiles can become deformed at temperatures above 80°C, so you should choose lighting fixtures that do not heat up, or place them at a sufficient distance from the ceiling.

When choosing tiles, consider:

correct shape of the products (straight edges, no broken corners, same size);
clarity of embossing;
quality of coloring, lamination;
homogeneity of the material, absence of voids, defects and irregularities.

It is better to purchase polystyrene foam tiles with a reserve. Different batches may differ in shade or design. For convenience, some models with decorative filling have markings in the form of arrows on the back side - these tips will help you perform installation in the right direction.

A selection of beautiful photos of ceiling tiles in the interior

Foam ceiling cassettes are a simple way to give your apartment comfort and beauty. Even a novice home craftsman can do the job with his own hands without outside help.

coffered ceiling tiles 2×4 Amazing 21 best Living Space Ceilings images on Pinterest

Why should you insulate a garage?

Foam insulation of the garage basement ceiling and main ceiling will help your car survive the cold season with minimal losses and comfortably. In order to understand what and how we need to do, let's figure out how the air moves in the garage:

The process of conduction is the process by which heat is transferred from a hotter material to a colder one;
The process of convection is the movement of warm air currents that help make the heating of the garage better;
And thermal radiation that helps heat the garage without moving air currents.

The best option today is considered to be classic insulation, which serves as an obstacle to convection and conduction and has a reflective effect. This finish is most suitable for a garage (see How to decorate the ceiling in a garage correctly), which is connected to a living space.

Using dowels

A simple, inexpensive, quick and durable glueless method of fastening polystyrene foam, however, requiring the use of a hammer drill and the required number of umbrella dowels. Their length is selected sufficient for reliable fastening of the slabs to the concrete base (taking into account the thickness of the sheets). On a clean, flat surface, a lower starting level is set, from which installation begins.

Each sheet is fastened with three dowels: one in the middle and two in the corners, so that their “umbrellas” press the corners of adjacent slabs. A gap of 3 mm is formed between the sheets - a deformation-temperature seam, which eliminates mutual deformation of the plates during daily and seasonal changes in temperature and humidity. Sealant is applied to the seams.

Recommendations for caring for ceilings made of foam boards

The white color of the slabs fades over time or acquires a yellowish tint. To prevent this undesirable effect, exposure to UV rays should be prevented, i.e. sunlight.

However, there is another option - after the seamless ceiling is ready, it is recommended to paint it with water-based paint.

This will not only extend its service life, but will also create a unique style in the room.

Caring for a foam ceiling is quite simple if it has a laminated coating, i.e. waterproof. Accordingly, a sponge and a damp cloth are enough for cleaning. If there is no such coating, then you only need to remove the foam with a vacuum cleaner.