By Jacqueline Hinchcliffe—In much the same way that the different floor covering products and categories are constantly evolving and changing, so, too, are the wide variety of adhesives and glues utilized in the installation of those products. To keep up with the new, trendy flooring options, adhesive companies are updating their formulas and introducing innovative products that can be perfectly paired alongside the customer’s desired flooring.
When it comes to the development of new formulations, so much depends on the use and application. For example, if a customer is renovating her home and switching out her 20-year-old carpets for new high-end wood floors, she might stand to benefit from using one of the latest hybrid adhesive formulas from DriTac/Sika. Or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, if a client is looking to give back to their alma mater by installing an artificial turf for their local high school, it would behoove them to check out the newest adhesive options from Stauf or Schönox.
No matter the project, there’s an adhesive designed to tackle it. Following is a sampling of some of the latest formulations hitting the market.
DriTac/Sika
Since Sika acquired DriTac in March of 2021, the brands have worked together to create a seamless experience for its customers by making it easy to buy all their materials in one place. “They don’t have to get the glue from this supplier and maybe the sub-floor prep materials from this supplier,” said John Lio, director of marketing, Sika. “Instead, you’re getting one warranty from one company top to bottom.”
The latest adhesive products the company has to offer, according to Lio, includes new hybrid formulas such as DriTac 7700 Easy Clean and SikaBond T100. Being similar formulas, both products are eco-friendly, zero VOC, zero solvents and certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute for indoor air quality. Another feature, as one may have guessed from the name, is they are easy to clean off wood surfaces whether the adhesive is cured, dry or wet.
“Even if it’s past the cure time and the installer didn’t realize it and it was tracked on a plank or a few planks, you could take it off, rub it off, either with your fingernail or a putty knife and you’d be able to get it up without damaging the surface of the wood,” Lio explained.
In addition, DriTac7700 Easy Clean can be used as an adhesive only or as a 5-in-1 system adhesive; has moisture control up to 15 lbs./ASTM F1869 Calcium Chloride Test and 85%/ASTM F2170 Relative Humidity Test; and meets or exceeds all IIC and STC building code requirements for sound control.
Likewise, SikaBond T100 meets all local IIC and STC requirements for sound protection; has low moisture vapor permeability; and bonds up to 3⁄4-inch solid and engineered wood.
Stauf
The newest adhesive from Stauf USA is R731 Poly-Link, a user-friendly, environmentally conscious, VOC-free product designed for high moisture areas. Due to its strong green grab, it allows for fast installation—even with complicated patterns, according to the company. R731 Poly-Link can be spread easily with a notched trowel or via other methods when applying to seaming tape. R731 Poly-Link adhesive is suitable for indoor or outdoor applications, resists heat and cold temperatures and can be used for a wide-range of flooring, including sports floors, synthetic turf, carpet, rubber flooring, vinyl planks, vinyl tiles and sheet vinyl floors.
“It holds the ridges well, it’s easy to spread, there’s no flash time required, so it’s
ready to use right out of the pail,” said David Ford, vice president of sales and marketing, Stauf USA. “This product will never break down under any moisture conditions. That allows it to be used in applications where there’s no vapor barrier. This product is easy to use in both new construction and old construction applications where there’s no vapor barrier under the concrete.”
R731 Poly-Link is resistant against aging and is suitable for radiant heat systems, according to Stauf. It’s also freeze/thaw stable, solvent free and LEED qualified.
Schönox
The latest adhesive from Schönox’s adhesives lineup is Schönox Protect. This solvent-free, universal resilient adhesive can be utilized for sheet vinyl, LVT, VCT, sheet linoleum, sheet synthetic rubber coverings, rubber and cork granulated underlayments, as well as artificial turf in both interior and exterior areas. Being a one-part silane modified polymer (SMP), Schönox Protect is suitable for a variety of environments and ideal for heavy load areas. The product is also resistant to both moisture and a high mechanical load, is non-shrinking no matter the thickness of the layers applied and temperature-resistant after curing, according to the company.
Schönox Protect also offers environmental benefits. Due to its formula, it may help contribute to LEED v4 certification of projects in the following categories:
- EQc2 – 3 points – low-emitting materials
- MRc2 – 1 point – environmental product declaration
- MRc4 – 1 point material ingredients
Taylor Adhesives
Elevate, part of Taylor’s Signature Line, is a heavy commercial, non-flammable adhesive designed to install dryback LVT/LVP to walls. Wall adhesives is a brand-new space for the company to be in, according to Seth Gladden, director of marketing and commercial business development for Taylor Adhesives.
“We’ve seen that trending a lot more and we want to be sure that we have a product [for that],” Gladden explained. “The timing lined up to go ahead and bring that out.”
Elevate is approved for smooth, non-textured walls as well as drywall or gypsum board primed with a universal primer or flat paint and is made to be used for dryback LVP/LVT with a maximum thickness of 2mm and a smooth/non-embossed backing. This new product is freeze-thaw stable, features a quick flash time of 30- 60 minutes and boasts an easy rolling application.
