Choosing adhesive for foam plastic and rules for its use

Let's understand what foam glue is. We list which compositions are made on the basis of polystyrene foam for painting, varnishing or gluing surfaces. We find out the scope of application of the material, as well as how to glue its sheets together and with other surfaces. Read to the end, and this information will allow you to learn more about the nuances of using foam glue, as well as compositions for its fixation. When communicating with a construction company, you will not have any misunderstandings, you will be able to formulate the order correctly, and also allocate the budget wisely.

Glue is applied to the slabs themselves, then applied to the wall Source www.wolfgroupweb.com

The concept of polystyrene foam: application of the material

The white material with a cellular structure is commonly called foam plastic. It is produced by foaming plastic masses, so it consists of 98% air. Micropores located throughout the entire area of ​​the material are isolated from each other, so the raw material has thermal insulation characteristics. Polystyrene foam is considered an environmentally friendly material; it has a long shelf life and does not ignite without a fire source. Light weight and low cost are the main advantages of this material.

Experienced craftsmen know how to glue foam plastic, so they use it in the following areas:

• insulation of buildings;
• production of refrigerators;
• protection against freezing of various communications;
• roof insulation;
• use for finishing purposes.

Foam material is often used to insulate houses Source 999111.ru
Foam plastic is used for finishing ceilings, walls and other surfaces. It is easy to paint, dries quickly, and does not crack. Cut the material using a sharp stationery or construction knife. It is often used as a base for preparing glue, paint or varnish for concrete or wood.

Fast but expensive

Many compositions require holding the glued slab for some time (sometimes long). How can you quickly glue a thermal insulator, thereby reducing downtime?

“Liquid nails” are used when it is necessary to insulate a small area of ​​a wall made of any material. Before gluing foam to concrete or other material, clean it of foreign deposits and cover it with a layer of primer.

The main advantages of this composition are:

1. versatility of use;
2. quick installation (long-term holding of the sheet is not required).

The disadvantage would be the fairly high cost, but you have to pay for convenience. “Liquid nails” are sold in 300 ml tubes. Squeezed out of the tube using a sealant gun.

How foam is glued to different surfaces

Depending on the type of work, foam plastic is glued to various surfaces. For example, when fixing to concrete walls, specialists use special foam. Since concrete walls are quite cold, they require insulation, and this material is ideal for this role. Foam glue is suitable when working with brick walls. This composition is a dry mixture, which the master subsequently dilutes with water. Dry mixtures are inexpensive and have low consumption. The specialist applies the finished composition to the wall or to a sheet of material, and the slabs themselves are glued from bottom to top.

Dry construction mixtures are used for gluing Source obystroy.ru

You can use polystyrene foam glue or PVA construction adhesive. It perfectly fixes the material on metal surfaces. First, burlap is impregnated with this composition, applied to a metal surface and waited for drying. As soon as the layer has dried, fix the foam material. In order for the slab to better adhere to the base, after applying it, it is pressed against the wall. At this time, the glue increases its thickness, and the specialist glues the next slab.

Ceiling mount

The main condition for such fastening is high-quality preparation of the ceiling, which includes cleaning of whitewash and dirt, as well as laying electrical wiring.

The foam is attached in one of the following ways:

1. Frame method.

The sheathing or frame for the ceiling is made of wooden blocks. In order not to cut the slabs, it is recommended that the size of the sheathing cells be shaped to match the size of the sheets.

Inside the cells, foam is attached with glue or fungi. All gaps are sealed.

We seal the gaps with foam

A vapor barrier film is placed on top of the insulation, which is held on the sheathing.

At the final stage, plasterboard sheets are attached to the ceiling.

1. Glue method.

This method is much cheaper than the one discussed earlier. The main thing is to choose and prepare the adhesive composition correctly.

When preparing the ceiling surface, in addition to cleaning, it is coated with a disinfecting solution and primer. When it is not possible to completely remove the whitewash, the entire ceiling is covered with an adhesive composition.

Glue is applied to the slab in broken lines. The slabs are laid from the middle of the ceiling with a shift.

Dowels are used for additional fastening.

A reinforcing mesh is attached to the laid insulation on top, which is then puttied and processed.

How to glue polystyrene foam

Extruded polystyrene foam is a separate type of material, similar to polystyrene foam, but with its own differences. This is a synthetic board raw material that is produced by foaming a polymer composition at the time of extrusion. 95% of polystyrene foam consists of air. The material is light and perfectly retains heat, and also absorbs sounds.

Regular polyurethane foam is suitable for fixation Source vikbud.ua

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in finishing and paintwork materials

Expanded polystyrene is used to decorate the walls inside and outside the house. Polystyrene adhesive comes in different forms:

• polyurethane - suitable for gluing the material to concrete, stone, wood, brick, metal, expanded clay, plaster;
• adhesive foam – resistant to moisture and aging, used for insulating facades from the outside;
• cement-mineral - available in dry or ready-made form, resistant to frost, therefore used for insulating the external wall;
• based on modified bitumen - suitable for fixing the material on brick, metal, stone and wood, relevant for outdoor work.

Before using the adhesive, the slabs are cleaned of debris, and the walls are prepared for work - dust and dirt are removed. Then glue is applied to the slab, pressed tightly against the wall and left for several minutes. The plate is released, meanwhile the glue sets, so the master can already work with the next polystyrene plate.

Attaching to wood

Polystyrene foam is attached to wood in different ways.

1. It has long been known that wood must “breathe”, otherwise rot will appear. Only thanks to the air flow, the tree retains its characteristics for many years.

To protect the wooden wall from rotting, foam plastic is laid with a ventilation gap. For insulation, a lathing is made from wooden blocks. The slabs are inserted between the bars. A vapor barrier layer made of foil film protects the insulation from condensation.

1. Special metal nails can securely hold slabs on wooden surfaces. Unfortunately, cold bridges appear at the fastening points, so high-quality putty is required.

   
   When plastic nails , the thermal insulation of the slabs is improved.

1. Fastening with adhesives is simple and reliable. The main thing is to choose the right glue that is resistant to changes in ambient humidity and temperature. A solution containing cement and glue has worked well.

How to glue foam together

It has already been found out how to glue foam plastic to other types of surfaces, but fixing two identical sheets also has its own nuances.

Polymer adhesives are suitable for fixing sheets together Source sevparitet.ru

There are several compounds that help with fastening:

1. Liquid nails are a strong composition, so specialists connect the parts as smoothly as possible.
2. Polyurethane spray - sprays evenly onto the slab and sets quickly.
3. Professional glue – ensures a strong seam.
4. PVA is the most affordable option, suitable for interior decor.
5. Polyurethane foam – fixation occurs within 40-60 minutes.

Before gluing the foam together, builders clean the material from dust and wipe it with a dry rag. Next, prepare the walls, making them smooth and uniform. Two slabs of polystyrene foam are covered with glue and fixed one by one on the wall. Press down a little and wait until the solution sets. The optimal time that craftsmen use to press the slabs is 60 seconds, then the material is left to dry.

Stages and nuances

Gluing foam plastic is carried out in several stages:

1. Disconnect power from the electrical wiring.
2. Clean the base from paint, whitewash, residual finishing materials and dirt.
3. Remove irregularities deeper than 1 cm, that is, level the surface. If this is not done, the foam boards will break during installation.
4. Treat the surface with a primer that contains antiseptics. This will improve adhesion and prevent the appearance of mold.
5. Wait for the primer to dry.
6. Foam boards are usually glued from a corner or lamp. During operation, the desired configuration is given using a mounting knife.
7. If aerosol glue is used, insert the can into the gun and cut off the tip. Apply the composition to the underside of the foam board in strips along the edges (step back 2-4 cm from the very edge) and diagonally. It is also permissible to squeeze out the glue in dots - in the center and in the corners.
8. Dilute the dry mixture with water until you obtain a homogeneous consistency and spread it on the stove with a small notched spatula, you should get a homogeneous thin layer. Another option is to apply glue pointwise around the perimeter and in the middle, spreading it evenly over the surface.
9. Press the foam onto the base and hold for a few seconds. Remove excess glue with a damp cloth or even spatula.
10. In the same way, glue the next plate end-to-end to the previous one. If a gap more than 2 mm wide has formed between them, fill it with foam or putty.

Foam plastic as a basis for adhesives

A strong adhesive is made from polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene to hold surfaces together. This composition can also be used as a paint or protective varnish. Based on small, light balls, the adhesive solution is strong and reliable.

Foam material produces a powerful fixing mixture Source i1.wp.com

Polystyrene foam adhesive

This solution has good adhesive properties and is used in the following cases:

• for sealing cracks and joints in the roof;
• for gluing interior items;
• for decoration of household products;
• for fixing ceiling plinths;
• for joining individual pieces of polystyrene foam.

Styrofoam glue becomes a lifesaver when there is no construction adhesive nearby. Experts make it themselves. They take a solvent such as xylene, acetone or gasoline. Gasoline dissolves foam perfectly, so it is considered the optimal component for glue. Then take pieces of polystyrene foam or expanded polystyrene: the larger they are, the more viscous the finished solution is. Polystyrene foam is gradually placed in a jar of solvent and the workpiece is stirred. As soon as the glue is ready, it is immediately used for its intended purpose.

The solvent instantly corrodes the foam Source mauro-gianvanni.ru

This composition is not stored for a long time, so it must be used immediately. Glue is applied to the surface and the desired material is glued. Experts make sure that there are no smudges on the product: ingrained composition is very difficult to wipe off after it dries.

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 is 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.

Methods for gluing ceiling tiles

So, we have determined where to start laying tiles, now we will look at what gluing methods exist. Everyone chooses the most convenient for themselves.

Snake

For this method, each subsequent row is laid around the previous one, as if entwining the central elements. The first fragments are glued in the center.

Crisscross

In this case, the panels begin to be laid crosswise. First, glue the first four squares in the center. Then straight lines are formed perpendicular to each of the walls. At the last stage, the resulting quarters are filled.

Rows from the corner

The first tile is placed in the far corner from the door. Next they move along the wall. After this, glue the next row parallel to the first. Work begins from the place that is best viewed upon entering the room. If you start working from the doors, you may find that in the most visible part of the room there will be an unsightly thin strip of scraps.

We attach the starting profile

Having studied the project, we calculate the location of the lower border of the walls, which should be insulated with foam plastic. Now we take a hydraulic level, measuring this boundary at all external and internal corners of the house. We pull the cord along these points. It is along this line that we have to install the starting profile on which the bottom row of slabs of heat-insulating material will be supported. Otherwise, until the glue dries, the slabs may move.

We select the size of the starting strip according to the width of our heat insulator. We fasten it with six-millimeter dowel nails, placing them every 30 or 35 centimeters. The expansion element for the dowels is driven nails, onto which washers should be placed. The joints of the starting strip at the corners of the house are made either with an oblique cut or using a corner connector.

To prevent temperature fluctuations from deforming the structure, we place plastic connecting elements at the ends between the base profiles. Overlapping profiles are not permitted.

To be on the safe side, check the level of fastening of the starting profile.

Methods for gluing foam boards

To increase the efficiency of thermal insulation, the plates must be glued together

At the same time, it is important to choose the right adhesive that does not contain components that damage the foam. These include:

• alcohol-based solutions;
• solvents containing acetone;
• Oil and gas products.

The best options for gluing foam boards are:

• "liquid Nails";
• polyurethane glue;
• PVA.

It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of what is the best way to attach polystyrene foam to a particular surface. This depends on a number of factors, including the conditions in which the insulation will be used. If any controversial issues arise while carrying out the work yourself, consult with specialists.

Preparatory work

First of all, you need to plan the scope of work. This will save time and resources in the future. First you need to thoroughly clean the walls. Using a special tool, it is necessary to remove the old cladding - plaster, paint, tiles, facing stone and other building material. Then the walls need to be leveled if there are strong differences.

Small irregularities can be removed using a mallet. Fill cracks and chips with putty. Nails, brackets and other fasteners must also be removed. After this work, the surface will need to be coated with a primer.

The next step is to calculate the required amount of materials. Be sure to take into account the sizes of doorways and windows, otherwise after insulating the walls, excess material will remain.

Adviсe

1. When choosing glue , give preference to trusted brands and manufacturers.
2. Pay attention to the packaging. It must have an environmental label. This is the only way you can be sure that the glue is safe for human health.
3. Select the composition based on the type of work to be performed - internal or external.
4. Do not choose glue with an expired sell-by date.
5. Do not purchase damp bags. The glue should be stored in a dry and warm place.
6. When purchasing glue , do not be guided solely by its cost. A low price hardly indicates a high quality composition.

Using dowels

Fastening polystyrene foam 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.

Requirements when choosing glue

Expanded polystyrene has long been valued by builders for its low thermal conductivity and resistance to moisture. Also, mold cannot grow. Sound insulation is excellent, as well as biological stability (not afraid of salts, acids, alkalis).

Polystyrene burns as long as it is in contact with an open flame. After cessation of exposure, the material completely self-extinguishes within 4 seconds.

Service life up to 30 years. Withstands exposure to many chemicals. But for some it becomes completely unstable.

Contact of the material with chemically aggressive substances is prohibited:

• organic solvents: acetone, turpentine, ethyl acetate and other paint solvents;
• saturated hydrocarbons: alcohol;
• petroleum products: diesel fuel, gasoline, fuel oil, kerosene.

These media dissolve foam upon exposure. Therefore, when purchasing glue, you should carefully ensure that it does not contain these ingredients.

Also, when choosing the adhesive composition, the following are taken into account:

• what kind of work is needed (external or internal);
• what surface the insulation will be glued to (metal, wood, concrete).

Structural foam is available in a variety of thicknesses. It is easy to apply any composition to a flat surface. They are very light, so gluing them is easy and quick.