How to glue polyethylene foam together

There are a large number of insulation options on the market. Foamed polyethylene is the most commonly chosen material because it has impressive vapor, heat and sound insulation properties. The choice in today's market is truly great. The proposed options may have a self-adhesive surface, may be foil-coated on one side or both. There are such types of foamed polyethylene on sale as isolon, polyfom, penofol. The insulation can be attached to different materials. And depending on all its characteristics, glue is selected.

The main advantages of foamed polyethylene

Despite the availability of thermal insulation materials on sale, the production of which began later than foamed polyethylene, insulation materials of the Isolon, Temaflex, Polyfom, and Penofol brands are in consumer demand because:

the material has low thermal conductivity;
the air-bubble structure of the insulating material prevents the spread of water vapor and the penetration of precipitation;
the small thickness and high flexibility of the material facilitates installation, and the adhesive for polyethylene foam ensures its reliable fixation on the surface of building structures;
if foamed self-adhesive polyethylene is used, installation of the heat-insulating layer is greatly simplified; it is carried out at the joint, over which aluminum tape is glued;
if foil-foamed self-adhesive polyethylene is used, then after insulating the surface of the building structure with Penofol, it even acquires a certain beauty.

Adhesive mixtures for polyethylene foam

Experts, when recommending how to glue foamed polyethylene, suggest two-component mixtures based on methyl acrylate. For example, the well-known mixture from “Easy-Mix PE-PP”, which demonstrates high adhesion, allowing you to work even with polypropylene and simple polyethylene.

They have proven themselves well:

“Quick-Bond” or “88-NP” (universal adhesive for this material;
Akrol contact;
spray "Neoprene 2136".

If you need to glue foamed polyethylene together, you can use:

Cerezit CT83;
Anserglob BCX 39;
polymer cement mixture called “Aqualit SK-106 P”;
"Master Super";
"Polymin P-20";
polyurethane aerosols “Stolit PC” or “Tytan Styro 753 O₂”.

The wall must be pre-cleaned, treated with an antiseptic, dried, and, if necessary, leveled. When fixing insulating material over large areas, we recommend using the adhesive mixture “Facade” or “Bolars” (packaged in 25 kg), pre-preparing the working solution in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.

Foamed polyethylene is often used for insulation and waterproofing, but for an effective and high-quality result, special glue must be used in tandem with polyethylene.

There are several types of glue:

— for exterior finishing and insulation, mounting adhesive for exterior work or liquid nails, which have a high degree of strength and are resistant to temperature changes and adverse weather conditions, are suitable;

- in a room with a high degree of humidity, in a bathhouse or bathroom, you will need MV-40 glue, which does not lose its adhesive qualities in a damp environment and has water-repellent properties;

— when insulating the inside of houses, apartments and other residential premises, you should choose non-toxic glue labeled “universal” or “express”.

There are also professional adhesive-based mixtures that have high performance and perform their functions perfectly. When dry, this mixture acquires a similar structure to the material, which gives solidity to the bonded surfaces. The correct choice of adhesive composition will help make the insulation of the room not only effective, but also durable.

Recommendations for gluing other materials to concrete

Penofol

You can solve the problem of how to glue penofol to concrete in the following ways:

using a special glue such as Weicon_EasyMix - a two-component composition based on methyl acrylate;
use of self-adhesive penofol.

The first method is more expensive because it requires the purchase of Weicon glue. However, it should be recognized that this composition is universal.

Weicon glue

This means that its remains after installation will be useful for solving other problems. In particular, if you are looking for how to glue isolon to concrete, then you can not purchase other adhesive materials, but use the Weicon composition.

Drywall

Gypsum putty should be used to attach this material to the concrete surface. It is applied to the plasterboard along its perimeter using a notched trowel. In addition, two or three lines are drawn along the center of the workpiece.

Gypsum putty

This method is only suitable for those walls that have deviations of no more than two centimeters. If this value is exceeded, then a different method of fastening will be required. It consists of using special dry mixtures, for example, Knauf Perlfix.

The prepared composition is applied in small piles, placed along the perimeter of the sheet every 20-25 centimeters. In the central part of the product, lumps of the mixture are placed at a distance of 30...40 cm from each other.

Ruberoid

Gluing roofing felt

One of the difficult questions encountered during the construction process is how to glue roofing felt to concrete. For this, bitumen mastic is usually used. It is applied to the concrete surface with a construction roller or brush.

Subsequently, it, together with the roofing material, is heated with a burner, after which the sheet is glued to the concrete

Please note that before gluing the roofing felt to the concrete, you should allow the mastic to dry thoroughly. This will help ensure a durable coating.

Plastic

The problem of how to glue plastic to concrete can be easily solved with the help of TITAN construction adhesive. This is a ready-to-use one-component composition with good adhesion, as well as water and frost resistance.

Another good option for gluing PVC to concrete is to use the Moment_Germent multi-purpose adhesive-sealant. It allows high-quality gluing of products made of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and other plastics.

Rubber

Glue 88CA

When deciding how to glue rubber to concrete, you can opt for 1 of 2 points - this is the use of a special adhesive mixture or mastic. An example is 88-CA glue. It is designed for cold gluing rubber to concrete, wood, metal or other substrates.

Features of choosing adhesive for polypropylene and polyethylene

At home, vapor and waterproofing can be done with ordinary foamed polypropylene (polyethylene). Polypropylene insulation, although primitive, is highly effective, allowing you to save on the purchase of more expensive analogues.

Adhesive mixture for polyethylene

But you can’t get by with polyethylene alone, since its use requires polyethylene glue. In rarer cases, other adhesive-based mixtures are also suitable. They are needed for fixing polyethylene (the so-called polyethylene gluing) on the surface of thermal insulation or any other building structure.

And among the many different adhesive-based mixtures, it is necessary to choose the most optimal and effective one.

In order to glue polyethylene to thermal insulation, experts recommend using a specialized adhesive-based mixture “Easy-Mix PE-PP”.

Preparatory work

First, you need to properly prepare the concrete for gluing, which will ensure a monolithic, uniform connection. They eliminate all defects, unevenness, cover up cracks, repair chips, and thoroughly clean the surface from dirt and dust. Cover the base with a primer and wait until it dries completely. All metal elements must be treated with an anti-corrosion compound.

Gluing stage

The glue is applied to the side without foil in a thin, even layer, spreading evenly over the entire surface. The edges are impregnated with glue as thoroughly as possible so that the penofol does not lag behind the concrete surface. The insulation must be held for 10-40 seconds so that the adhesive composition can set and fix the sheet to the surface more efficiently. Next, the sheet is pressed against the concrete, carefully smoothed, distributed evenly, additionally gluing the seams.

Choosing a suitable adhesive for gluing penofol to concrete is a very important task that must be approached seriously. It is advisable not to skimp on the composition, since the strength, reliability, and durability of the fixation will depend on its compliance with the requirements and operating conditions.

What glue to use for gluing polyethylene - composition

The easiest way is to purchase structural adhesive in the store, which contains methyl acrylate. Its properties ensure rapid softening of polyethylene and its further gluing. The glue also contains inorganic and organic acids and xylene, chromic anhydride and various additives.

The advantage of using the mixture is that no additional processing of the material is required. However, polyethylene glue is quite toxic, so it is recommended to carry out work outdoors. The glue acquires its best properties at a temperature of +35C; it is not afraid of moisture, but is flammable. It is better to buy it in specialized stores so as not to run into a fake.

If there is a need to combine polyethylene with polyethylene, it is more convenient and easier to resort to heat treatment.

This technique allows you to obtain a strong, unbreakable seam. Among the disadvantages of the method, it is worth noting the deformation of the edges of the product.

Mixtures for combining polymers are available for sale, with a consistency similar to a thick paste. An activator is included in the kit. After adding it to polyethylene glue, it acquires the necessary consistency and can be used for the near future.

Gluing polyethylene - step-by-step instructions

To glue polyethylene, you do not need special knowledge and skills. Even beginners can cope with the task at home.

The operating procedure is as follows:

Clean the surface and degrease it. Some manufacturers claim that this step is not mandatory, but experts still recommend spending a few minutes and under no circumstances skipping it.
Apply glue to the treated material. It will only take a few minutes for it to harden, so the parts need to be attached to each other without delay.
Leave the glued polyethylene elements for several hours until the glue completely sets.

In general, this algorithm is similar to working with any glue. However, you should take care to use protective gloves, since the glue can cause allergic reactions and is quite toxic.

It is more convenient to apply the adhesive using a glue gun, which can be loaded with ready-made cartridges. The mixture of them is distributed evenly, so it is easy to achieve the desired dosage. If you are planning a large amount of work, this device is worth investing in.

VIDEO ON THE TOPIC

How to glue foamed polyethylene

Foamed polyethylene has a porous structure, therefore it provides high-quality heat, steam and waterproofing.

Alternative types of materials

There is no alternative to isolon as such, but we would be wrong if we do not briefly talk about materials that in certain cases can replace it.

Cotton materials, which include mineral wool, glass and ecowool, have almost the same heat and sound insulation properties as isolon. Their manufacturers insist that their main advantages are:

Lightweight and easy to install.
Low thermal conductivity.
Strength under compression, mechanical stress, ruptures.
High sound insulation characteristics.
Not susceptible to fire.
Resistance to temperature deformation.
Biological and chemical resistance.

Mineral wool is available in the form of rolls and sheets and has different softness and thickness. It is extremely easy to install structures using various types of wool:

The walls must be covered with a steam or hydrobarrier using a stapler.
The next step is to assemble the frame from special metal profiles, the assembly step is 50 centimeters.
Then cotton wool is laid, carefully distributed throughout the entire space, avoiding gaps.
Then the cotton wool is fixed in any convenient way, the structure is covered with sheets of plasterboard, plastic panels, clapboard, fiberboard.
The final stage is finishing the walls; its type depends on what material you have chosen or what is available.

The disadvantage of the material is its allergenicity; you should work in protective gloves and a mask to prevent contact of the material with the mucous membranes and skin of the hands. It also requires additional vapor barrier, since it loses its properties from moisture. In principle, the technology is simple and you can easily do everything yourself without overpaying to contractors.

Foam plastic or its analogues

The undoubted advantages of polystyrene foam include the following:

Polystyrene foam is not afraid of moisture.
It is a good heat insulator.
Not susceptible to rotting, fungal or mold stains.
Easy to install and cut.
Has low weight.
Heat resistant to low temperatures.
Does not require waterproofing.

Polystyrene foam also has many disadvantages:

It is fragile, crumbles, and requires additional protection with a dense base.
Not breathing.
Easily destroyed and enters into chemical reactions.
We love rodents.

Polystyrene foam is used mainly in non-residential premises or for outdoor use. Installation is carried out using an adhesive mixture and requires additional fastening with “fungi”, careful coating of seams, plaster and subsequent painting.

Cork

The advantages of cork coverings undoubtedly include:

Excellent insulation of extraneous noise and heat conservation.
Waterproof properties.
Resistance to deformation and pressure.
Fire safety.
Resistance to the formation of fungus and mold.
Hypoallergenic.
Low degree of contamination.
A wide range of products available in slabs, rolls and mixtures.

There are no materials without disadvantages, cork has:

High cost of material.
Low durability of the protective coating.
The appearance of traces from heavy equipment or furniture.

The cork is mounted on glue - acrylic or contact, either with one-sided or double-sided application. The work is painstaking and requires endurance and attention, but it is quite possible to do it yourself. Installation requires a special temperature regime and wall humidity level - temperature not lower than 18 degrees, humidity not more than 3%. When gluing, avoid the appearance of air bubbles between the wall and the material. Before starting work, the material must stand in the room for at least 24 hours.

As we see, there is no material that is also universal and technically suitable. It follows from this that the modern material – izolon – will find application in any home and for any needs. Insulating walls from the inside with isolon is the most rational solution. Use new products with pleasure and provide yourself with increased comfort without spending fabulous sums on it!

Foil insulation has relatively recently appeared on the construction market, but is rapidly gaining popularity for various reasons. Next, we will consider the types of this material, the advantages in comparison with traditional insulation and how to use it correctly.

What kind of glue to glue foamed polyethylene with?

When choosing insulation, a special place is occupied by foamed polyethylene - a material with sound, heat and vapor barrier properties. Depending on the manufacturer, it can be penofol, isolon or polyfoam. The construction market offers different types: with one-sided or double-sided foil, as well as with a self-adhesive plane. The material on which the insulation is attached also varies. Based on all the parameters, you need to be able to choose the appropriate adhesive for polyethylene foam.

Features of penofol fastening

Penofol (isolon) is produced by special foaming of polyethylene. The insulation is covered with aluminum foil, which maximizes heat retention. It is used for internal and external work, in finishing production mechanisms, preserving heat in pipelines or air conditioning systems. It comes in rolls and individual plates. It may have additional characteristics – thickness, color. The bonding of foil to the plane of foamed polyethylene can be chemical or physical (cross-linked).

small thickness;
environmentally friendly;
does not require additional skin and respiratory protection;
there is no need for special tools;
ease of fastening.

Glue is used for penofol with foil on one side.

Double-sided insulation is used for thermal insulation of loggias, garages, and pipes. They are attached to the sheathing or purchased polyethylene foam with a self-adhesive surface.

Due to the lightness of the insulation material, the load-bearing capacity of the adhesive is not so important.

Types of isolon

This material is polyethylene foam, sold in the form of rolled sheets, sleeves or rolls.

The thickness of this material varies from 1 to 50 mm. There are two types of isolon: physically cross-linked, closed-cell (PPE) and non-cross-linked, gas-filled (NPE).

PPE isolon, the characteristics of which are in many ways superior to those of other insulation materials, should be supplemented with the following characteristics:

low specific gravity (which is important for the upper tiers of light frame structures) - from 30 to 200 kg/m³; good sound insulation properties (up to 68% sound absorption); ability to reflect thermal energy – up to 97%; softness and elasticity (allow you to fill hard-to-reach areas); durability (isolon is not afraid of insects and does not rot) - service life exceeds 90 years; environmental safety (non-toxic, does not emit odor, does not irritate the skin, chemically neutral); wide temperature range of application (from -60 to +75°C); versatility of use (used in residential, industrial premises, garages, warehouses, etc.); availability of the material (you can buy isolon at any hardware store); simplicity and ease of installation.

Izolon (sample photo attached below) NPE is different:

lower density (within 19 – 35 kg/m³);
thickness (up to 16 mm);
sound absorption does not exceed 13%;
thermal conductivity – at the level of 0.040 W/μ;
vapor permeability – about 0.001 0.001 mg/m×h×Pa;
water absorption – 0.2%;
temperature range of use – from -80 to +80°С.

Glue selection

The range of adhesives for penofol on the modern market is quite wide. Therefore, it is important to take into account the different characteristics of materials.

General rules

Penofol adhesive is selected based on the following:

the product has durable adhesive properties;
the thermal range coincides with the temperature characteristics of the insulation;
a non-toxic certified product is used in the interior decoration of residential premises (apartment, office);
for external finishing, you need glue that is resistant to temperature changes and weather conditions;
saunas and baths require mixtures with water-repellent properties;

Watch the video to understand better:

Water-based glue is not suitable for gluing isolon!

A water base will not create the required level of penetration into all the pores of foil polyethylene foam. The grip on the surface will be insufficient.

Types of glue

Choose what to glue with, also evaluating the surface:

Weicon Easy-Mix PE-PP 45. Bonds polypropylene and polyethylene. It hardens for a long time;
Titanium. Optimal for concrete base;
Atlas Stopter K-20 glue. Adheres to mineral substrates;
T-Avangard-K is used at high humidity;
Contact Acrol or Neoprene-2136 spray is glued to penoplex;
Ceresit and Olfix are universal - they are attached to any surface, including concrete;

The seams are treated with Tilite or special tape.

How to attach penofol

Attach penofol with the foil side facing the inside of the room. A greater thermal insulation effect is created by an additional air layer 1-2 cm thick (using a backing - sheathing).

By watching the video you will learn more:

Glue of different compositions for polyethylene foam can be ready-made or requires preparation on site. You must carefully read the instructions for the selected mixture:

The glue is applied in an even layer, paying special attention to the edges. Before sticking, you need to wait up to 1 minute so that the composition has time to be slightly absorbed. This ensures better adhesive properties. Attach the treated penofol to the insulated surface. The plates are fastened joint to joint, but not overlapping;
setting time varies depending on the characteristics of the glue (at least 15 seconds);
smooth the surface of the polyethylene foam, removing folds. Tape the seams, you can use foil tape;
glued insulation in residential premises requires additional decorative finishing. The last layer of the structure (plasterboard or lining) is installed on the sheathing.

Foil insulation for walls and floors

What is rolled foil insulation

This is a combined material for insulating walls, floors and ceilings, consisting of several layers:

Insulation made from familiar materials.
A layer of foil.

The material is rolled, therefore it has a relatively small sheet thickness. How does heat retention occur?

A thin working layer delays the penetration of cold air from outside,
The foil reflects heated air into the room.

Varieties

Roll insulation materials are classified according to the main material:

Foamed polyethylene with foil that can be attached on one or both sides.
Folgoizol is created on the basis of bitumen/rubber, mineral fillers and antiseptic.
Mineral wool rolls with one-sided foil surface.
Basalt lamella insulation,
Expanded polystyrene boards with one aluminum surface.

Each of the presented materials is intended for use in certain conditions.

Application

Penefol (closed cell polyethylene foam) is versatile in use. They insulate walls and floors in residential premises.

Foil insulation for pipes and roofing - foil insulation. It is also used in the construction of industrial facilities.

Rolls of mineral wool with an aluminum layer are used in the same way as conventional insulating mats: for insulating walls, floors and other structures. The difference between foil-coated mineral wool and regular wool is the built-in waterproofing; aluminum does not allow moisture to pass into the fibers, preventing the material from getting wet.

The ideal insulation foil for a bathhouse is based on basalt: it has a low heat transfer coefficient, is not afraid of humidity and large temperature changes. As you know, stone wool is a hard material. To roll it into a roll, the basalt is sawed into lamellas, which are laid on an aluminum base. This insulation is used to insulate various social and industrial facilities.

Foiled polystyrene foam is used for floor insulation.

All materials with a layer of aluminum foil have higher technical performance than their traditional form. The cost of foil insulation is an order of magnitude higher than the cost of conventional material; this is the main disadvantage of the “advanced” sample.

The first and most important question is which side to put the foil insulation on?

The first rule of installation: the reflective side should be directed towards the room. This will ensure natural heat reflection.

We insulate the walls

The structure of insulation and finishing must be thought out: in the case of walls, there must be an air gap between the insulation and subsequent finishing. When using a mineral wool base, it is necessary to insulate the material from the penetration of water; for this, a membrane is attached to the base, allowing steam to pass out.

How to attach foil insulation to a wall: roll out the insulator over the fixed membrane and fix it with guide rails, the thickness of which should exceed the thickness of the main insulation. The layers are connected with staples along the edges of the slats. Subsequent finishing of panels or lining is carried out along guides, which provide an air gap with their thickness.

Some craftsmen recommend protecting the foil with vapor-proof films to prevent moisture from entering the body of the mineral wool layer through possible holes in the metal.

We insulate the floor

For wooden and concrete floors, the algorithm of actions remains identical:

The base is cleaned of old coatings, and debris is carefully swept away.
Prime the subfloor with a concrete or wood primer.
After the primer has dried, measure out the required amount of roll insulation and roll it out. It is optimal to use adhesive-based material. The strips are laid with an overlap of 10 cm, the joints are taped with aluminum tape.
The finishing coating is laid on top.

If the room has an electric or water “warm” floor, the rolls are rolled out with the reflective side up, a reinforcing mesh is laid on top, then heating elements and a cement screed is produced followed by cladding.

Foil insulation for walls and floors

Let's look at the types of foil insulation, its advantages over traditional insulation, and how to use it correctly.

How to glue polyethylene foam: choosing glue

Foil insulation - purpose and properties

The main property of folgoizol is reflected in the name - heat preservation.

Unlike most analogues, insulation with aluminum foil consists of two components: in addition to the metal strip, it contains a mineral base. It is represented by three main types of polymers:

Polyethylene foam is the cheapest option for foil insulation and the thinnest of its types. Its thickness is 2–10 mm. Most often, foiled polyethylene foam is used as a substrate for laminate flooring.
Fiberglass is the most commonly used in construction. In addition to the ability of metal to reflect heat inside, this type of thermal insulation perfectly prevents the penetration of cold from the outside. This is achieved due to the low density of the fiberglass sheet, which has an air gap between the thin threads. This foil insulation is used to insulate floors, walls and ceilings of buildings.
Stone wool is intended for use in extreme temperature conditions: thermal packaging of pipes, saunas, steam rooms in baths.

The vast majority of all these materials are covered with aluminum foil on one side. The only exception is polyethylene foam: some seals are metallized on both sides.

Mounting features

Izolon (penofol) is covered with aluminum foil, which allows for the best possible retention of heat. Its adhesion to the surface of the insulation can be chemical or physical, that is, cross-linked. Izolon may have additional characteristics such as thickness or color. If you are looking for win-win insulation for your home, then this option will be the best choice. It is also perfect for insulating elements of air conditioning systems, pipelines, and production mechanisms. Foamed polyethylene is used for both external and internal work. The material has quite significant advantages.

Among them are:

small thickness;
ease of installation;
environmental cleanliness.

Installation of insulation is possible without the use of special tools. Working with foamed polyethylene does not require additional protection of the respiratory tract and skin. The material is so light that the load-bearing capacity of the glue will not be critical.

How to choose glue

There is a fairly wide range of different adhesives for sale for working with polyethylene foam. And it is advisable to make the choice using the following criteria.

The temperature range must match this characteristic of the insulation.
Adhesive properties must be extremely high.
If you plan to use glue for interior decoration, it must be certified and non-toxic.
If adhesive is selected for exterior finishing, it must be resistant to a variety of weather conditions and temperature changes.
If you intend to finish the sauna and bathhouse, then the glue will need to be mixed with water-repellent agents.

Water-based adhesive is absolutely not suitable for working with isolon, because it does not allow the adhesive to penetrate into all the pores of the insulation. Consequently, the level of adhesion will be insufficient.

Installation of the substrate

How to glue the backing to the wall:

the surface is freed from wallpaper;
remove water-based paint or whitewash;
the recesses are leveled with putty or alabaster;
The wall is primed with PVA glue
24 hours before sticking, the backing is cut and allowed to rest on a flat surface.

When working with non-woven backing, glue is applied not to it, but to the walls.

Tip: immediately remove excess glue from the joints with a napkin.

Pasting begins from the window and moves in a circle. At the junction of two walls, the sheets must be end-to-end - pasting a corner with one sheet with a bend is not allowed.

Types of glue

We list the currently most commonly used glue options.

For rooms with high humidity, MV-40 is suitable, which has moisture-resistant properties. You can also choose T-Avangard-K.
For residential premises, “Express” or “Universal” are usually used.
If we are talking about installing external building structures, then it is best to choose liquid nails or assembly adhesive. For example, Moment Montage would be suitable.

Titanium is good for reinforced concrete base.
Neoprene-2136 in the form of a spray or Acrol contact type are selected for gluing to penoplex.
Olfix and Ceresit are universal glue options. They are perfect for working with any type of surface, including concrete.

Atlas Stopter K-2 kley is selected if you plan to glue the insulation to a mineral base.
Weicon Easy Mix PE-PP-45 is selected for gluing polypropylene to polyethylene.

After the work, the seams will need to be treated using Tilit or adhesive tape specially designed for this.

The choice of adhesive is largely determined by the purpose of the room that you plan to insulate, whether you will attach it to wood, metal, concrete, etc. It can be difficult to choose on your own without much experience in construction and installation work. Therefore, it is always advisable to consult with specialists.

In the Remonstr store you will find a huge variety of glue options. If you find it difficult to choose, contact our consultants for help, who will promptly respond to your request, help with placing an order, and clarify all the important details regarding payment and delivery.