Ultimate Guide to Wood Floor Glue Installation - Part One

When it comes to wood floor installation, there are three main methods, and gluing the wooden floorboards down is one of the most popular and reliable options. The goal of any installation process is to create a stable, structurally sound, and durable floor that will stand the test of time, even in high-traffic areas. Gluing down your wood flooring ensures you achieve exactly that—a long-lasting, resilient floor that remains beautiful for decades.

However, this installation method requires a considerable amount of precision, effort, and most importantly, the expertise of a skilled professional. A key factor that greatly influences the success of the glue-down method is choosing the right type of wood floor adhesive. The adhesive plays a crucial role in maintaining the floor's stability and longevity.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essentials of wood floor adhesives, their benefits, and how to make the right choices for a successful glue-down installation. Whether you’re planning the project yourself or working with professionals, understanding this method will ensure you get the best results.

Pros and Cons of Glued Down Floor Installation

As the name suggests, wood floor adhesives are used to bond the wooden floorboards directly to the subfloor. While floating wood floor installation has gained popularity in recent years due to its ease, speed, and cost-effectiveness, the glue-down method still offers significant advantages, especially for long-term durability.

Benefits of Glued Down Installation

• Durability and Stability: This method guarantees a more durable, stable, and long-lasting floor, making it ideal for high-traffic areas or commercial spaces where footfall is constant.
• Easier Sanding and Maintenance: Because the floor is securely fixed to the subfloor with adhesive, it allows for easier sanding in the future, prolonging the floor’s lifespan.
• Noise Reduction: A glued-down floor is generally quieter, eliminating the risk of annoying squeaky noises, which are common with other methods.
• Compatibility with Underfloor Heating: This installation type is particularly suited for homes with underfloor heating systems. Since the adhesive prevents air pockets between the subfloor and the boards, it improves thermal conductivity, making your floor more energy-efficient.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Difficult Removal: One downside to a glued-down floor is that it can be quite challenging to remove if needed. Replacing the floor in the future requires considerable effort and time.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a flooring installation method that provides long-term durability and high performance, especially in high-traffic areas or in homes with underfloor heating, gluing down the floor is a solid choice.

Wood Floor Adhesives on the Market

Choosing the right wood floor adhesive is crucial for achieving a durable and successful glued-down floor installation. Not all adhesives are the same, and selecting the wrong one can compromise the stability of your flooring. It’s essential to research and consult with a professional to ensure you’re purchasing the most suitable adhesive for your specific flooring type.

When selecting an adhesive, you must consider the type of wood floor and the substrate. Different adhesives are designed for different kinds of wood, and using the wrong one can affect the performance and longevity of your floor. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to confirm that the adhesive is compatible with your flooring material and subfloor. This step is critical to avoid problems down the line, ensuring the adhesive bonds properly and performs as expected.

Thanks to modern advancements in the flooring industry, today’s wood floor adhesives are of significantly higher quality. Many are formulated to be user-friendly, meaning even non-professionals can apply them with confidence. Additionally, they are now designed with health and environmental safety in mind. Unlike older products that contain harmful components, most contemporary wood floor adhesives are eco-friendly and non-toxic, making them safe for both the installer and the environment.

This shift towards more sustainable and harmless formulations is a substantial improvement, offering peace of mind when embarking on a flooring project. Not only do they meet environmental standards, but they also provide better performance and ease of use, ensuring a smooth and successful installation.

Types of Wood Floor Adhesives

The wood floor market presents a vast selection of different types and brands of wood floor adhesives. The adhesive you choose for your flooring installation project will depend on several factors, including the specific requirements of your project, your budget, and the type of flooring being installed. To help you navigate this array of options, here are the main categories of wood floor adhesives you will typically encounter:

Silane-based Adhesives

Silane-based adhesives are regarded as one of the most innovative and advanced types of wood floor adhesives available today. These adhesives are a hybrid mixture of MS polymer or modified silane, offering numerous advantages over traditional adhesives. Unlike older products, silane-based adhesives are solvent-, water-, and isocyanate-free, making them a safer and more environmentally friendly option. They are also moisture- and UV-resistant, making them highly durable in various conditions.

In recent years, silane-based adhesives have gained considerable popularity, often replacing solvent-based adhesives, which are now banned in many countries due to their harmful effects on health and the environment.

One of the standout features of silane-based adhesives is their flexibility and elasticity, even after they have fully cured. This characteristic is crucial for wood floors, as it allows the flooring to expand and contract naturally without causing damage. As wood flooring reacts to changes in moisture, humidity, and temperature, this elasticity prevents issues like cracking, warping, or buckling.

Because of their flexible nature, silane-based adhesives are ideal for almost all types of real wood flooring. They are also a perfect match for underfloor heating systems, as they provide a stable bond while allowing the flooring to adjust to heat fluctuations without compromising structural integrity.

Reaction Resin Adhesives

Reaction resin adhesives are another reliable category of wood floor adhesives that are both safe and effective. These adhesives are primarily available in two forms: one-component PUR adhesives and two-component PUR adhesives, each offering specific benefits depending on the type of flooring and the area of installation.

• One-component PUR adhesives remain elastic and flexible after curing. This flexibility is important for wood floors as it allows them to shrink and expand without experiencing damage. This feature makes one-component PUR adhesives particularly suitable for stress-bearing wooden floors and areas with high foot traffic, ensuring the floor can handle everyday wear without compromising its structural integrity.

• On the other hand, two-component PUR adhesives cure with no elasticity. These are used in cases where a shear-resistant bond is required, meaning that they provide a rigid and strong connection. This type of adhesive is ideal for applications where the flooring needs to be extra durable and stable, but where movement or expansion of the floorboards is minimal or not a concern.

Both types of reaction resin adhesives are commonly used in various flooring installations and are trusted for their strength, durability, and versatility in challenging environments.

Dispersion Adhesives

Dispersion adhesives are another widely used option for wood floor installation, particularly favoured for shear-resistant bonding of solid wood flooring. These adhesives are typically water-based and contain little to no solvents, making them a more eco-friendly choice compared to some older adhesive types. However, once fully cured, dispersion adhesives do not remain elastic, meaning they provide limited flexibility for the floor to expand or contract over time.

While they offer a strong, durable bond, working quickly during installation is crucial when using dispersion adhesives. Their properties require fast application and fitting of the floorboards to ensure optimal results. One important consideration is that dispersion adhesives are not suitable for areas exposed to high moisture or humidity, such as bathrooms or basements. The water content in the adhesive can lead to excessive expansion of the floorboards, potentially causing damage or gaps over time.

Despite these limitations, dispersion adhesives are a cost-effective and reliable solution for many solid wood flooring projects, particularly in areas of the home that are dry and stable.

Powder Adhesives

Powder adhesives are a unique category of wood floor adhesive, typically composed of plastic powder, plaster, or cement, mixed with various fillers. A key benefit of this type of adhesive is that it is solvent-free, making it a more eco-friendly choice. Before use, the powder must be mixed with water to form the adhesive, resulting in a versatile solution suitable for certain types of wood flooring.

Powder adhesives are particularly ideal for the installation of low-stress and low-traffic wood floors, such as mosaic flooring, multi-layer flooring, and pre-finished wood floors. Due to their relatively lower bonding strength compared to other adhesive types, they are best used in residential settings where the floors won’t experience heavy foot traffic or significant stress. This makes them a great option for areas like bedrooms or low-traffic living spaces.

However, it’s essential to note that this type of adhesive may not provide the level of durability needed for high-traffic areas or commercial spaces. The mixing process is also important, as achieving the right consistency is crucial for optimal performance.

Solvent-Based Adhesive

Although the trend in adhesive technology leans toward solvent-free products, solvent-based wood floor adhesives remain available on the market. These adhesives contain solvents that help to improve their bonding capabilities and curing times. However, it is essential to note that solvent-based adhesives are not the ideal choice for most flooring projects and should be used only as a last resort or for specific applications where their unique properties are required.

Solvent-based adhesives can offer strong adhesion and are sometimes used in high-performance applications or under conditions where other adhesives might fail, such as in extreme temperatures or environments with high humidity. However, the use of these adhesives comes with certain drawbacks:

1. Health Concerns: Solvent-based adhesives can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which may pose health risks if inhaled. Proper ventilation is crucial during installation to minimise exposure.

2. Environmental Impact: The environmental footprint of solvent-based adhesives is greater compared to their solvent-free counterparts, making them less eco-friendly.

3. Difficult Application: The installation process may require more skill and experience, as the adhesive can set quickly and may be less forgiving if mistakes are made.

Given these factors, it is advisable to consult with a flooring professional before deciding to use solvent-based adhesives. If selected, ensure that all safety precautions are followed, including wearing protective gear and ensuring adequate ventilation during the application process.