February 17/24, 2020: Volume 35, Issue 17
By Ken Ryan
The installation shortage has prompted many flooring manufacturers to develop products that render the installation process easier while saving time and money. Not to be left out are adhesives suppliers who are bringing products to market that cure faster while offering superior moisture protection capabilities.
Here’s a sampling of new adhesives entering the market.
DriTac
DriTac 7200 Crush is a single-component, premium “green” moisture control MS polymer wood flooring adhesive. It offers subfloor moisture control with no testing required, a lifetime bond warranty and a 10-year moisture warranty for multi-ply engineered plank wood flooring installations. DriTac said Crush is easy to clean off the surface of hardwood flooring wet or dry.
DriTac 2500 SG, 2600 LVT-CT and 2700 VCT SprayTac are water-based resilient spray adhesives designed for the installation of approved sheet goods, luxury vinyl tile/plank and carpet tile and vinyl composition tile, respectively. The sprays are suitable for both commercial and residential flooring applications. SprayTac is 100% recyclable and is highly moisture and pH resistant (up to 8 lbs. and 95% RH).
Henry
Henry 647 PlumPro and Henry 695 are now moisture resistant up to 99% RH. Henry 647 is a roller-applied, ultra-fast-track vinyl flooring adhesive that can receive LVT in minutes. Its purple color is easy to see and allows the installer to achieve even coverage during application. Applied with a notched trowel, 695 is ideal for vinyl sheet as well as LVT. Its versatility and overall performance make it suitable for all formats and sizes of vinyl-backed flooring.
Mapei
Mapei’s new Ultrabond Spray RFA and Ultrabond Spray CTA spray adhesives for carpet and resilient flooring installations are designed to replace trowel-applied adhesives. These aerosolized, water-based, high-performance, acrylic adhesives provide bond performance equal to traditional trowel-applied adhesives while using considerably less material in much less time. Ultrabond Spray RFA is recommended for solid sheet vinyl, solid vinyl tile, LVT and VCT, while Ultrabond Spray CTA is recommended for all types of carpet tile.
Mapei’s Tile & Stone Installation systems now includes Keraflex Super, a highly versatile mortar with a unique dry polymer designed for installing large and heavy tile on floors, walls and countertops. This new mortar can be applied over plywood as well as uncoupling, crack-isolation, sound-reduction and waterproofing membranes.
Mohawk
Mohawk V-One is a clear-set, solvent-free, multi-functional, pressure-sensitive adhesive for the installation of sheet, LVT/LVP and composite tile. It is formulated to have superior high-moisture capabilities up to 99% and an extended working time of 24 hours. The 99% RH tolerance and compatibility with all types of vinyl flooring mean this product can be used in most types of installs. The 24-hour extended working time, high-tack and fast-grab features make this product easy to use and install.
M-92X is a next-generation, moisture-cured adhesive for the installation of solid and engineered wood flooring. “This product has quickly become a beloved adhesive by our installer base due to the non-etching formulation, fast grab features and easy troweling,” said David Moore, senior director of accessories for Mohawk. “Easy-to-use features, plus the 90% RH high-moisture capabilities, make this an ideal product for a wide variety of solid and engineered wood flooring installations.”
Schönox
Schönox Protect is a high-strength, one-part silane modified polymer (SMP) suitable for sheet vinyl, VCT, LVT, sheet synthetic rubber coverings, sheet linoleum covers, rubber and cork granulated underlayments and artificial turf. This low-odor adhesive provides a moisture-resistant, non-shrinking, solvent-free layer for porous and non-porous floors and is ideal for heavy load areas as well as critical physical and climatic environments. A unit size of 2.5 gallons covers from 270 square feet to 550 square feet with a varying notched trowel.
Roll and Go is low odor, easy to apply and formulated for residential and commercial use. Floor installations can begin 15 minutes after application. Suitable for LVT over smooth subfloors in addition to underfloor heating systems. Roll and Go comes in a 2.7-gallon unit or a 1.06-gallon integrated kit. It can be applied from a standing position for a faster, cleaner, easier job for installers. The 1.06- gallon unit, provided as part of the Roll and Go kit, covers approximately 540 square feet, while the 2.7-gallon unit covers approximately 1,380 square feet.
Taylor
Taylor’s Resolute, a resilient flooring adhesive, includes a simple, one-part chemistry to achieve a faster, more install-friendly alternative to two-part epoxy systems. Engineered for heavy rolling loads and challenging environments, the waterproof design forms an unlimited moisture vapor barrier and can withstand the punishment introduced by topical liquids. Other benefits include unlimited moisture protection (porous slab), topical liquid resistance (water, spills, etc.), and six-hour cure (heat weld, wet mop, strip/finish).
Dynamic is a firm-set, modified transitional pressure-sensitive adhesive that saves time with its immediate access to light traffic. Dynamic provides the cross-linking benefits of a hard-set adhesive while temporarily retaining PSA-like surface tack. Other benefits include high-moisture tolerance, a ColorReady technology that improves install accuracy and the ability to install multiple flooring types.