Feb. 17/24 2014, Volume 27/number 21
By Jenna Lippin
State-of-the-art technology not only takes floor covering products to the next level, it also advances installation methods, devices and products. With that said, adhesive companies represent a particularly important niche within the industry with new, progressive formulas that translate into faster, easier installations and also lend themselves to healthier indoor environments with low VOCs and various “green” certifications.
AAT
Advanced Adhesive Technology’s (AAT) most recent innovation is a new, thin-spread adhesive for VCT. The reformulated AAT-370 Ultra Premium Thin Spread offers a much faster drying adhesive, resulting in time saving of up to 25%. But, the most important feature of the new acrylic-enhanced formula is its ability to be used over slabs with an in situ RH of 95%. This enhancement will add a margin of safety for flooring contractors that choose AAT-370, without increasing their cost.
AAT-370 dries to a transparent film allowing layout lines to remain visible. It is also installer friendly—AAT-370 spreads easily, has an extended working time (up to 24 hours), and is water resistant and nonflammable. Furthermore, AAT-370 is protected by CleanGuard, a specifically formulated broad-spectrum, antimicrobial agent that protects AAT’s adhesives from microorganisms, such as mold or mildew, in both the wet and dry state.
The CRI Green Label Plus Adhesive Certification Program has certified AAT-370 as a low-VOC adhesive.
Anderson
New from Anderson is Bear Hug, a wood flooring adhesive offered in three formulas: Green Grab, Premium Urethane and 3X Triple Option.
With low odor/low VOCs, Green Grab’s new formula provides easy troweling and is proven to be a non-slumping formula. Further, it has a spread rate of up to 70 square feet per gallon and offers up to 15% more coverage per container than other brands.
Premium Urethane is a one-part, one-day system with permanent bond for on-, above- or below-grade installations. It is warrantied for up to 8 pounds of moisture vapor transmission with proper trowel. Premium Urethane can be applied to multi-ply engineered plank, acrylic impregnated plank and parquet, and plain-back parquet. It offers up to 20% more coverage per container than other brands, the company claims, and has a spread rate of up to 60 square feet per gallon.
Anderson’s third new formula, 3X Triple Option, is a 3-1 application made with 100% solids, has minimal odor and a spread rate of up to 60 square feet per gallon. It has an early quick grab and rapid strength technology in order to make the surface a true “work on” installation. Additionally, it meets the IIC and STC building code requirements for sound reduction. Triple Option is the only offering that is reusable once opened and provides up to 15% more coverage per container than other brands.
All Bear Hug adhesives can be used with any engineered or Envirocore Anderson product. The company also authorizes the use of Bear Hug on applicable engineered products from competitors.
Bostik
Bostik’s adhesive introductions include Ultra-Set SingleStep2 and GreenForce, both with the company’s AXIOUS Tri-Linking Polymer Technology for exceptional long-term durability and moisture protection.
SingleStep2 contains 1% recycled rubber material, contains zero VOCs and no water. It can be used to adhere all engineered, solid, bamboo, cork and parquet products designed and recommended by hardwood flooring manufacturers for gluedown applications. There is no restriction on plank width or length and may be used over all properly prepared substrates common to hardwood flooring installations. SingleStep2 can also be used to install plywood, ceramic tile, marble and stone inlays for light commercial or residential applications.
Offering unlimited moisture vapor protection, SingleStep2 protects hardwood flooring from damage caused by subfloor moisture in concrete slabs. It also offers sound abatement performance equivalent to ¼-inch cork underlayment.
Similar to SingleStep2, GreenForce is easier to spread and clean off prefinished flooring before and after cure, contains zero VOCs and no water. Its high-performance formulation is appropriate for the same flooring products and installations as SingleStep2.
DriTac
The current highlight from DriTac is 7700 Easy Clean 4-in-1, which is a completely green, premium MS polymer sound and moisture control wood flooring adhesive for use underneath engineered hardwood, solid plank and bamboo flooring installations.
By simply changing the trowel, 7700 Easy Clean can be utilized as a 4-in-1 sound and moisture control wood flooring adhesive or as an adhesive only. This type of product versatility and the exceptional green grab it offers help to set it apart from the competition.
Containing zero VOCs, zero solvents and zero isocyanates, 7700 Easy Clean is CRI certified for indoor air quality and has been specially formulated for easy clean up off hardwood surfaces when wet or dry. The product also spreads easily and has minimal odor.
HPS Schönox
Schönox’s current focus is on Roll and Go adhesive, catering to the growing popularity of LVT. According to Karen Bellinger, business development, the product has been approved by about 35 manufacturers for LVT installations. Because Schönox actually tests Roll and Go with each flooring product, the company can guarantee it will work with all approved LVT offerings.
When ready to install, a thin layer of Roll and Go is applied to a prepared substrate (Bellinger recommends a Schönox self-leveling product and primer) onto which tiles and/or planks can be installed immediately.
Roll and Go allows users to save time and money, and the overall process is easier on installers as they can remain upright when rolling on the product. The nature of Roll and Go also allows for a damaged plank or tile to be easily removed and repaired.