The popularity of indoor/outdoor living has been on the rise in recent years as homeowners take greater advantage of their decks, porches and patios. In response to this trend, which grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, flooring suppliers and vendors are marketing various products—from resilient flooring to area rugs—to take advantage of this valuable market opportunity. Likewise, adhesives companies are looking to get in on the action by developing new formulations that work seamlessly with interior and exterior surfaces.
Following are some of the latest indoor/outdoor solutions:
Ardex/Henry
This month Ardex Americas will introduce Henry 2575, a solvent-free, modified-silane polymer adhesive formulated to perform in challenging environments both indoors and out. The single-component technology relieves the complexity of two-component epoxies and is designed for heavy traffic, rolling loads and areas of frequent washing or direct sunlight.
Base King
The new ES-100 peel-and-bond system from Base King is designed to handle the most challenging indoor and outdoor projects where high relative humidity is an issue. Whether working on a patio in a humid climate or renovating a kitchen, the quick-curing moisture barrier primer and aggressive adhesive provides excellent protection for installations inside or out.
Schönox
Schönox Protect is the newest addition to the company’s adhesives lineup. This solvent-free adhesive is suitable for a variety of resilient products and can also be used in artificial turf in interior and exterior applications. The product boasts an open time of 30 minutes, with a waiting time of 20 minutes in non-porous applications.
Sika/Dri-Tac
SikaBond construction adhesive is a one-component, durable and flexible exterior grade polyurethane adhesive available in 10.1 and 19 fl. oz. cartridges. It is recommended for glue-assist wood flooring installations and has excellent adhesion on all cement-based materials, including brick, ceramics, glass, metals and wood. Featuring a fast cure rate and high weathering resistance, SikaBond construction adhesive is waterproof and water immersible after cure, resulting in the optimal outdoor solution.
Stauf
R701 Xtrem-Link Duo Adhesive is an optimal choice for interior and exterior flooring projects, especially in areas that experience heavy traffic. It is highly shear-resistant and does not require a flash time before installation, allowing work to commence immediately. Plus, R701 is durable and flexible enough to withstand seasonal changes.
Taylor Adhesives
Not every flooring adhesive works outdoors, but Taylor Resolute can. It is a moisture-cured adhesive that can install carpet indoors or outdoors. It works great with most carpet backings, including non-breathable backings such as urethane unitary. Designed with safe, single-part, moisture-cured chemistry, Resolute is a faster, more installer-friendly alternative to two-part epoxy systems.
TotalWorx
LokWorx 3800 from Shaw is a versatile indoor/outdoor commercial adhesive. The product’s high-solids, fast-grabbing, ultra-premium adhesive is built to save installation time. In addition, LokWorx 3800 is a solution for high moisture applications where hydrostatic pressure is not present. It performs up to 99% RH and is available in four-gallon pails.
