Ceiling tile adhesive: types and application

The smoothness of the ceiling surface and the absence of unpleasant surprises in the form of endless alterations depend on the glue. Renovation with decorative finishes will be successful if two factors are taken into account. Firstly, the tiles correspond to the design idea and the purpose of the room. And secondly, the installation on the ceiling is made without gaps and distortions, with the correct adhesive composition.

It should be noted that the tiles are made of polystyrene and expanded polystyrene. These are lightweight and brittle materials with a thickness of 0.6 to 1.4 mm. Depending on the massiveness, the size of the elements, the composition of the glue is selected. It is not necessary to buy a universal fixer, but the tile materials and ceiling surfaces should be mentioned in the instructions for use.

When choosing glue for ceiling tiles, you should be guided by:

• Viscosity. Too liquid composition will not hold even light tiles, but deforms too thickly and permanently damage the product during installation.
• At the time of adhesion to the surface. Ideal for work at height - less than 30 seconds. You do not need to stand for a long time with outstretched arms over your head and to adjust the position of the tile, remove excess glue, the period is quite sufficient. A faster drying rate will not provide such a chance.
• Health safety. This is important for the decoration of living rooms. The most environmentally friendly among water-based adhesives.
• The color. White and transparent compounds do not shine through a thin surface, are not noticeable at the joints. For dazzling white tiles, this characteristic is almost of paramount importance, because instead of a beautiful decor, attention will focus on dark spots on the ceiling.

Regardless of the type, the glue is produced in various forms: universal in plastic bottles, glue-mastic, in a cartridge for a gun. When choosing a fixing compound, pay attention to the adhesion characteristics that are suitable specifically for your room. The smell matters. In winter, it will not be possible to work with open windows, which means that you will have to be in an environment hazardous to health for a long time.

A general idea of ​​fixing compositions for flow tiles will allow you to make a smart choice:

• Polymer - represent a substance in the form of a plastic mass, which is suitable for adhesion to almost any surface. Of the three types of polymer adhesives for interior work, only compositions based on aqueous solutions and dispersions are used. These include PVA or "Bustilat", compound adhesives - epoxy, polyurethane and others.
• Water-soluble adhesive polymers. Includes formulations with very different characteristics. PVA and the like have low viscosity and adhesion. The liquid consistency requires more consumption, the seams dry for a long time - 24 hours for full setting. Disadvantages are partially neutralized by the lack of smell and environmental friendliness. Of the modern representatives of this group, products under the Titan brand have the best characteristics.

• Compound adhesives. Their distinctive feature is the ability not to spread, to acquire the shape of materials, which allows you to hide surface irregularities up to 9 mm. The compositions provide high-quality fastening, corrosion protection. If it is not possible to make good waterproofing of the ceiling, you should opt for this type. Some species have a very thick consistency. If there is no desire to dilute, a spatula and some skill will be required for application, since their high adhesion speed is an important advantage.

• Liquid Nails. Produced on a water basis and using a solvent. Compositions under this general name differ:

1. high strength - 20-70 kg / cm2
2. good adhesion - it takes a few seconds to dry;
3. resistance to fire and temperature extremes;
4. plasticity, allowing to hide surface imperfections.

• Acrylic putty. In some cases, it is used as an adhesive for foam tiles. Possesses high rates of adhesion to various surfaces, resistance to deformation and temperature extremes, water resistance, environmental friendliness and durability.
• Hot melt adhesive. It is a thermoplastic polymer in the form of granules, balls, powder with various additives. Installation is carried out using a special pistol. The technology requires laying tiles at high temperatures - 65-200 ° C, then the glue acquires a viscous-flowing state and quickly adheres to the surface.

The answer to the question depends on the priorities: the most budgetary option, the maximum ease of work, the special operating conditions of the room, or the need to hide irregularities with the help of foam plates.

Inexpensive construction PVA is rarely used for such situations. The connection will be unreliable, but you will have to hold on to the finish for a long time, irregularities of more than 3 mm cannot be hidden. The best application is for bonding skirting boards and rosettes.

The main advantage of water-based universal polymer adhesives is the optimal balance between cost and quality of joint joints. They are thick and plastic, resistant to high humidity and temperature extremes. The adhesive labeled "for interior use" can only be used in dry rooms.

For the purpose of prevention, the walls and ceiling are pretreated with an antibacterial composition. For putty and plastered walls, a reinforcing primer is suitable, for brick and concrete - with an increased ability to penetrate deeply into the ground.

Not the most budgetary, but effective option is acrylic putty. It will not only glue the styrofoam, hide irregularities, but also neatly hide the seams before painting. It is sold ready-made, does not shine through the thinnest material, does not shrink, is frost-resistant, adheres to almost any type of surface.

Environmentally friendly acrylic glue is suitable for the living room, bedroom and kitchen. This water-soluble type of liquid nails is used for lightweight foam forms, including porous ones. The best option for rooms with large temperature fluctuations and high humidity is made of synthetic rubber based on organic solvents. The second option dries faster, but it should not contain toluene.

Hot melt adhesive is best suited for adhering small parts of decoration or in rooms where serious cleaning of the ceiling is periodically carried out. It is easy to work with compound glue, but efficiency is required: adhesion is maximum from the first seconds. The formulations are toxic and require the use of protective equipment.

Modern adhesives for ceiling tiles are produced in a ready-to-work form. The issue with dilution can arise when using putty: it is diluted with water until a viscous mass is obtained. To enhance adhesion, a mixture is prepared: 100 grams of PVA is added to the prepared solution of the finishing putty (1 kg). One has only to consider that the homemade preparation shrinks after drying.

Sometimes the glue thickens from prolonged or improper storage. How to dilute a specific composition is written in its instructions. For example, benzene is used for PVA construction options, and acetone and dimethyl sulfoxide are used for Moment. If the universal "Titan" has thickened - medical alcohol. The diluted composition dries longer, but adheres better, since it penetrates into small cracks.

The instructions for adhesives recommend applying them to leveled, cleaned surfaces for a reason. Opposite reviews about the stickiness of the same solution are most often due to non-compliance with this rule.

A thin layer of whitewash is fixed with a primer, thick - washed off with water or cleaned with a spatula. During this procedure, weak parts of the plaster may fall off, and potholes may form. Taking advantage of such a favorable moment, the flaws are sealed with fresh putty, then the new and old parts of the ceiling are primed. When gluing on drywall, concrete, various types of building boards, there are no problems.

If the old wallpaper is firmly attached to the ceiling, you can glue the tiles directly onto them. The glue layer should be minimal. But it should be borne in mind that the color pattern will shine through thin plates. In this case, the wallpaper will have to be removed.

The sequence of use is necessarily printed on the packaging, so it is not difficult to attach the foam with your own hands.

During installation, the following rules should be observed:

• It is better to coat polystyrene tiles around the entire perimeter and diagonals, spreading them out on a flat surface.
• After applying a water-based polymer glue to the sheet, it must be pressed against the ceiling, then set aside, after a while (determined by the instructions, on average 30 - 40 seconds), finally attached in place.
• Only liquid nails can be applied in a thick layer (up to 9 mm), in all other cases it makes sense to economically distribute the composition along the lines marked in the instructions.
• Liquid formulations are required to be applied to both bonded surfaces.
• Putty should cover a small area of ​​the ceiling with an even and thin layer, then apply tiles to it.
• The gaps formed from inaccurate joining must be sealed with a sealant or putty.
• It is better to wipe off excess glue at the joints with a damp cloth immediately, without waiting for them to dry.

French company Leroy Merlin is considered the founder of the Axton brand. Under this brand, a whole line of adhesives for ceiling products is produced: polymer, styrofoam, in cartridges, bottles and in the form of mastic. Packages come in different capacities - from 0.5 liters to 4 kg.

Glue "Axton for ceiling products polymer" produced in soft plastic packaging, closed with a special cap, which is hermetically sealed when pressed. After applying to the surface, you need to wait 2 - 4 minutes and you can press the tiles to the ceiling. The time for complete drying depends on the surface - from 12 to 24 hours. The thickened polymer can be diluted with industrial alcohol. Ventilation is required during operation. Consumers assess the reliability of the composition as high.

Deserved positive feedback "Axton mounting universal white": odorless, thick and elastic, invisible at the joints. A 290 ml tube is sufficient for a 15 meter strip. Reviews indicate a drawback: it hardens longer than the time indicated on the package.

Russian company Selena East already produces more than a dozen of titan-branded assembly adhesives and continues to develop new polymers, focusing on European safety standards and new technologies. Reviews of the Titan line are mostly positive.

Among the novelties of recent years:

• Power Flex - combines the properties of polymer glue and sealant;
• Vector MS 1000 - based on MS polymer, has a strong initial adhesion of 5 seconds, no solvents;
• SBS 100 Multi-use - one-component, based on synthetic rubber, equally easily adheres to surfaces and finishing materials;
• Classic Fix - universal, even in the updated version it is not suitable for expanded polystyrene;
• Hydro Fix is ​​transparent, well suited for interior work.

In 2017, the company launched the production of a new product TYTAN Professional Gallop Fix... The declared advantages: the possibility of using in rooms with high humidity, despite the absence of solvents; 3 hours is enough for a curing of 240 kg / m² at a layer thickness of 0.5 mm. The adhesive creates an elastic bond that is resistant to vibration. The cost is 180-450 rubles per package of 310 ml.

Foam glue Tytan Professional 60 seconds is an innovative universal product, unlike foam, it does not expand after application, does not require a primer, adhesion is 500 kg / dm2. Economical: one can is enough for 40 meters of glue line. Fully cures in 24 hours, allows for adjustment of the tile location. Consumers have noted only pluses so far. The cost of one cylinder is 400 rubles.

Products of the Moment brand from the Henkel company have been produced in Russia since 1979, there are more than 100 names. Most consumers note the quality and ease of use.

There are many options for foam:

• Moment Editing "One for everything" Super strong. With ultra-fast adhesion, there is a possibility of adjustment within a few minutes, can be applied to damp surfaces. It is recommended to treat the ceiling with wood glue diluted with water 1 to 1 before pasting.
• Moment Installation express decor MV-45 - solvent-free, moisture and frost resistant, hardens in 48 hours, fills gaps up to 10 mm.
• Moment Univesal. Ideal for tiles: the gentle chemical composition does not corrode expanded polystyrene with optimal viscosity and adhesion values. An important feature is that one of the surfaces must easily absorb water. The cost of the cartridge is from 200 rubles. for 380g.

This list is provided as an example, does not reflect the full variety of brands and properties of goods. For any novice builder, the best glue will be the one that will help you get the job done quickly and beautifully the first time.

How to quickly apply ceiling tiles, see below.