When it comes to installing engineered hardwood flooring, choosing the right adhesive is crucial for ensuring a successful and long-lasting result. With a variety of options available, selecting the best adhesive for your project can be challenging. In this guide, we’ll explore the different types of hardwood flooring adhesives and help you determine which one is most suitable for your specific needs.
Types of Hardwood Flooring Adhesives
You may be familiar with many different types of adhesives – but they are not all created equal (not when it comes to budget or durability). Below are the common types:
- Water-Based Adhesives: Water-based adhesives are environmentally friendly and easy to clean up with water. They offer a strong bond and are suitable for most hardwood flooring installations. Water-based adhesives have a low odor and emit fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them a popular choice for indoor projects.
- Solvent-Based Adhesives: Solvent-based adhesives provide a strong and durable bond, making them ideal for high-traffic areas and commercial applications. However, they typically have a stronger odor and higher VOC emissions compared to water-based adhesives. Proper ventilation is essential when using solvent-based adhesives.
- Urethane Adhesives: Urethane adhesives offer excellent moisture resistance and flexibility, making them suitable for installation in areas with high humidity or moisture levels, such as basements or bathrooms. They provide a strong bond and are compatible with most types of hardwood flooring.
- Epoxy Adhesives: Epoxy adhesives are known for their exceptional strength and durability. They are commonly used for bonding hardwood flooring to concrete subfloors or other non-porous surfaces. Epoxy adhesives require careful mixing and application and may not be suitable for all DIY projects.
- Silane-Modified Polymers (SMP) Adhesives: SMP adhesives offer the benefits of both urethane and epoxy adhesives, providing a strong bond, excellent moisture resistance, and flexibility. They are suitable for a wide range of hardwood flooring installations and offer easy cleanup with water.
Our Choice for Hardwood Adhesives
Our team at City Floor has a lot of experience helping contractors and professionals choose the right adhesives for flooring projects. Because of this experience, we are proud to recommend two that will help you provide professional installation with a promise of durability and satisfaction.
Sausage Adhesives
Sausage adhesives, like Bona R850T, are commonly used for hardwood flooring installations due to their ease of use and convenient packaging. These adhesives come in sausage-shaped containers that can be easily loaded into a caulking gun for application. While many are water-based adhesives, the Bona product offers a durable, silane-based option.
Bona R850T offers a strong bond and is suitable for bonding hardwood flooring to a variety of subfloor materials, including concrete, plywood, and existing hardwood. It provides excellent adhesion and is compatible with both solid and engineered hardwood flooring.
Larger Format Adhesives
On the other hand, larger format adhesives, such as Bostik Greenforce, are designed for glue-down
installations of engineered hardwood flooring. These adhesives typically come in larger containers, such as buckets or pails, and require specialized tools for application.
Bostik Greenforce is specifically formulated to provide superior moisture control, making it ideal for installations in below-grade environments like basements. It offers exceptional bond strength and flexibility, ensuring a durable and long-lasting installation. Additionally, Bostik Greenforce is low in VOCs, contributing to healthier indoor air quality.
Trust the Expert Team at City Floor
When choosing a hardwood flooring adhesive for your project, consider factors such as the type of wood flooring, subfloor material, moisture levels, and environmental considerations.
Schedule a consult with one of our expert team members at City Floor – or just come in and chat with us. We can help you determine the best adhesive for your specific needs and ensure a successful installation. With the right adhesive, you can enjoy beautiful and durable hardwood floors for years to come.
