Today, foam plastic is quite actively used as a building material for thermal insulation of buildings. It is also used for interior surfaces. This is what raises the question of how to glue the foam to the metal on the ceiling. Initially, its area of application was the transportation of equipment and furniture, where it acted as a seal. Today, foam plastic is installed on various surfaces, including metal. This choice is justified, because polystyrene foam is durable, it can retain its shape for 25 years, as for external use; but if you install it indoors, it will last for half a century. However, ultraviolet radiation and exposure to moisture can shorten the service life of the material. These factors shorten the life of almost any building material.
Expanded polystyrene is completely resistant to fungus and mold, so it can be used even in a damp environment, such as in basements. Insulation granules almost do not absorb water, but foam plastic sometimes attracts rodents, where they make burrows. Polystyrene foam does not support combustion, it is many times safer than wood. In order for it not to catch fire, the temperature must be twice as high as in the case of wood. When burning, it releases less heat. The material is completely safe for the environment and human health.
However, this thermal insulation has disadvantages, they are expressed in low strength, because the material breaks easily even with a slight impact. For this reason, its surface after installation needs mechanical protection; for this, various mixtures are applied to the base that protect against ultraviolet radiation. Having familiarized yourself with all these features, you can begin gluing the insulation to the metal surface, but it is also important to choose the right composition that will be the most effective.
Types of glue for installing polystyrene foam boards
Adhesive compositions for installing insulation boards of this type are of two types: specialized and universal. The first type is intended for installation of only a specific insulation. Universal adhesives are more preferable because... they not only qualitatively fix the insulation to the wall surface, but also create a reinforcing layer. Glue can be made on the basis of bitumen or a cement-polymer substance.
Mastic-based solutions are capable of creating a waterproofing layer due to the high bitumen content in their composition. However, the application of such adhesive must be carried out continuously, without visible breaks. Among other things, such adhesive does not require thermal exposure before installation, and the adhesive mass is always highly plastic.
Adhesives based on cement-polymer materials are used for all types of work. They do an excellent job of installing polystyrene foam on concrete, brick foam concrete surfaces, as well as on drywall. Before carrying out work, it is necessary to thoroughly prime the surface.
Insulate from the outside or from the inside?
In modern construction, there is a rule: insulate a house from the inside only if it is impossible to do it from the outside. And not by chance. With external insulation, the walls are protected from external influences - atmospheric and temperature, from hypothermia (and freezing), condensation, and extraneous noise. Accordingly, with facade insulation, the building is more durable. This means that in this case the adhesive for insulation should be chosen, intended only for external use.
From all of the above, the logical conclusion follows that the preferred type of home insulation today is facade insulation, using mineral wool insulation. All that remains is to figure out the installation: choose the adhesive for mineral wool and use it correctly.
Attach penofol with the foil side facing the inside of the room. A greater thermal insulation effect is created by an additional air layer 1-2 cm thick (using a backing - sheathing).
By watching the video you will learn more:
Glue of different compositions for polyethylene foam can be ready-made or requires preparation on site. You must carefully read the instructions for the selected mixture:
- The glue is applied in an even layer, paying special attention to the edges. Before sticking, you need to wait up to 1 minute so that the composition has time to be slightly absorbed. This ensures better adhesive properties. Attach the treated penofol to the insulated surface. The plates are fastened joint to joint, but not overlapping;
- setting time varies depending on the characteristics of the glue (at least 15 seconds);
- smooth the surface of the polyethylene foam, removing folds. Tape the seams, you can use foil tape;
- glued insulation in residential premises requires additional decorative finishing. The last layer of the structure (plasterboard or lining) is installed on the sheathing.
Nothing brings satisfaction more than a job done correctly and skillfully. If you follow all the recommendations, attaching the insulation will not cause much trouble.
Tips and instructions for gluing foam
First of all, you need to remember a number of general rules for gluing foam plastic, which must be taken into account regardless of the chosen adhesive composition:
Before gluing the sheets, you need to prepare the surface. First of all, it is cleaned of old paint, dirt, rust, etc., and then degreased.
Silicone, liquid nails and similar mixtures are applied pointwise or in stripes in increments of 5-7 cm.
It is this distance that allows for the most reliable gluing of the foam to the metal surface. If dry mixtures are used, the sheet will need to be additionally pressed over the entire area with plywood.
For work you will need the following materials:
During work you will need the following tools:
Gluing is very simple, everything is done in the following sequence:
Thus, working with foam is simple, easy and profitable. The set of tools and materials is minimal. Before purchasing a composition, be sure to make sure that it is suitable for use in your climate zone and does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. Good luck!
How to prepare the surface
No matter what adhesive is used, the preparation process is always the same. If the metal is not properly processed, then no glue will provide reliable fastening of the foam.
Materials and tools for work:
- Metal brush . Used to clean the surface and remove rust and old paint residues. Instead of a hand tool, you can use a power tool - a drill or grinder with a special metal brush;
A special wire brush will help you quickly remove rust and paint from the metal surface.
- Paint remover . It is used if there are several layers of old paint on the surface, which does not adhere very well and may peel off later. The composition is easy to apply, but is toxic and requires compliance with safety measures;
Paint remover in aerosol packaging is very convenient to use
- Solvent. Used to degrease surfaces. Personally, I use the P-646 composition; it is inexpensive and well suited for preparing metal for further processing;
Solvent R-646 is used for cleaning and degreasing metal in preparation for insulation
- Composition “3 in 1” for metal surfaces . A special composition consisting of paint, primer and anti-corrosion treatment. After application, the surface will be reliably protected from rust for many years. If you have metal without pockets of corrosion, then you can use ordinary primer for metal, its price is much lower;
Special paints with anti-corrosion additives are the best preparation of metal for insulation
- Brush or roller . Used for applying paint. For large, flat areas, a roller is more suitable. For designs with many curves and angles, it is better to use a brush.
Adhesive for fixing polystyrene foam
Speaking about how to glue polystyrene foam to wood, you should know that this can be done using various ready-made adhesives.
Polystyrene foam has low adhesion to many materials: wood, concrete slabs, brick. However, polystyrene foam can be easily glued to these materials using any of the following compositions: cement and dry adhesive solutions, frost-resistant adhesives, sealants for external surfaces, etc. You will need to make a reliable adhesive connection that will prevent the formation of mold and mildew. In addition, the connection should not impair the beneficial properties of wood and polystyrene foam boards.
Cement-based dry foam adhesive is a durable and inexpensive option.
One of the most durable and budget-friendly mixtures is dry foam glue, which is made on the basis of cement. Before use, it must be diluted with water. This mixture has high adhesion to almost any material. There is a fairly large assortment of polymer cement-based solutions on sale, which are intended for gluing polystyrene foam boards on all types of substrates. To secure external thermal insulation, you can use an effective polymer-cement composition with mineral fillers. Compositions from some manufacturers can be used to provide protection to polystyrene foam on the front side. The only drawback of such mixtures is that they will harden for approximately 3 days.
You can also use special aerosol mixtures based on polyurethane. They can be suitable both for gluing insulation and for filling seams and voids between slabs. Similar polyurethane-based solutions can be used to secure expanded polystyrene to the internal and external bases of walls, roofs, floor bases, and facade elements. The relatively high cost of such adhesive mixtures is offset by the ease of use and reduction of setting time. You should know that foam plastic boards can be fixed within 2 hours after applying the glue. Additionally, the slabs must be secured with façade anchor bolts.
Polyurethane-based adhesives are fire-resistant, retain their performance characteristics over a wide temperature range and do not emit harmful fumes. All this was achieved thanks to special technical techniques for producing compounds.
In some cases, it may be necessary to glue foam boards together. To do this, you can use any wet or dry adhesive mixture that does not contain solvents.
Each of the adhesive mixtures has its own advantages and disadvantages. You need to choose based on your needs.
How to choose glue
There is a fairly wide range of different adhesives for sale for working with polyethylene foam. And it is advisable to make the choice using the following criteria.
- The temperature range must match this characteristic of the insulation.
- Adhesive properties must be extremely high.
- If you plan to use glue for interior decoration, it must be certified and non-toxic.
- If adhesive is selected for exterior finishing, it must be resistant to a variety of weather conditions and temperature changes.
- If you intend to finish the sauna and bathhouse, then the glue will need to be mixed with water-repellent agents.
Water-based adhesive is absolutely not suitable for working with isolon, because it does not allow the adhesive to penetrate into all the pores of the insulation. Consequently, the level of adhesion will be insufficient.
Is it advisable to use foam?
With the help of foam, you can simplify and speed up working with foam several times over. It is perfect for those cases when you need to do everything quickly and efficiently. It features high technical characteristics and low consumption. Sold in cylinders, making it easy to transport and use. Compared to simple dry mixtures, it is more expensive, but it pays off, because... 1 cylinder is enough for an average of 20-25 square meters.
The main advantage over aerosol adhesives is that you do not need to use water, electricity or any special equipment to work with foam. During the insulation process, it is possible to save up to 50% of time compared to other popular compounds.
There is no need to take technical breaks, there is no need to install a layer of reinforcement or drive in dowels, you can work even in cold weather. The foam is characterized by excellent adhesion to polystyrene foam. Resistant to fire and high humidity. Does not support combustion and does not emit substances harmful to human health.
Properties of foam plastic
Foamed polystyrene is a lightweight white polymer consisting of tightly compressed balls containing air. Polystyrene foam is very popular due to the following advantages:
- affordable price;
- ease of processing;
- non-toxic;
- inability to burn independently;
- waterproof;
- high thermal insulation potential;
- frost resistance;
- good sound insulation;
- resistance to fungus and other microbiological factors.
Styrofoam
What is most often used for gluing foam?
When figuring out how to glue polystyrene foam to a metal surface, you need to start from a number of basic points, taking into account which you can choose the most suitable composition. First of all, it is necessary to consider the type of surface to which the material will be glued.
You should definitely pay attention to the type of foam itself. Otherwise, the choice of composition with which it would be possible to glue foam plastic to a metal surface comes down to determining the most economically advantageous option
Before choosing a suitable adhesive composition, you should take into account the type of foam and pay attention to the surface to which the material will be attached. Polystyrene foam can be glued to metal using various dry mixtures, aerosol adhesives, silicone sealants, polyurethane foam and any other materials that do not react with foam plastic.
It is important that the glue does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. They will simply “burn through” the material
When choosing a composition, pay attention to its components and price
Polystyrene foam can be glued to metal using various dry mixtures, aerosol adhesives, silicone sealants, polyurethane foam and any other materials that do not react with foam plastic.
It is important that the glue does not contain gasoline, acetone or other solvents. They will simply “burn through” the material
When choosing a composition, pay attention to its components and price
Currently, one of the most widely used materials for gluing foam is polyurethane foam. It is able to adhere to any materials and has many positive properties, namely:
The only drawback of this material is that it dries out very quickly, as a result of which the tube may simply become clogged before the entire composition is used. This problem is solved by washing the tube with a special solvent. If you use foam, it is better to immediately buy this solvent.
Polyurethane foam will not only allow you to quickly and cheaply glue foam to a metal surface, but will also help seal the seams between the plates.
One-component polyurethane adhesive is also often used. It is also sold in cylinders, but requires additional costs for the purchase of a special pistol.
Some home DIYers glue foam using a combination of glue and liquid nails. The latter set quite quickly, making work much faster and more convenient than with simple glue. However, liquid nails are less reliable than glue, so using them alone is not recommended, especially if the foam is glued to an inclined metal surface or to the ceiling, for example, in a garage. In most cases, approximately 65-70% of the panel surface is treated with glue, and the remaining part with liquid nails. This allows you to work without using plywood supports, as required when working with glue alone.
If you need to cover a small metal surface with polystyrene foam, you can get by with simple double-sided tape. However, in monetary terms it is much more expensive than other adhesives, so it is advisable to use it only for very modest repairs.
If you can attach burlap to the metal surface before gluing the foam, it will make the rest of the job even easier. It will be possible to use ordinary construction PVA. This composition is relatively inexpensive and easy to use.
Using polyurethane glue
When thinking about how to glue foam plastic to metal, the consumer quite often chooses polyurethane glue; it is the most suitable for carrying out this work. The mixture is available in convenient cylinders, but you will also need a mounting gun. If the work is single, then it is best to purchase a cheap tool, because it will not be used constantly.
If you decide to resort to this technology, then you must follow a certain sequence of actions. The adhesive is applied to the surface of the thermal insulation in dots or strips; the distance between individual dots should be approximately 7 cm or less. After waiting a few minutes for the dots to dry a little, the plate must be carefully pressed against the metal surface. This is exactly the case when the slabs need to be supported with plywood or boards. After just 20 minutes, the support can be removed.
Feasibility of using foam
The use of foam as an adhesive makes working with foam faster and easier. Its use is advisable if all actions need to be carried out efficiently and quickly. The product is characterized by low consumption and excellent technical characteristics.
Advantages of using foam:
Foam is more expensive than simple dry mixes, but is worth the expense. 1 cylinder is enough for 20-25 m2. Even a beginner can carry out installation work on gluing foam plastic to metal, subject to certain rules. By making the connection yourself, a novice master will be able to save money and also be confident in the quality of the work performed.
Installation technology
Before starting work, you need to check that you have all the necessary tools that may be needed throughout the entire foam installation process.
Below is a minimal list of what may be useful when working:
First, you need to especially thoroughly clean the metal surface from any dirt, rust or paint residues on it, and then completely degrease the entire area of the metal surface with any available means. The modern construction industry offers a huge number of adhesive materials, the use of which mainly depends on the personal desire of the installer. They all have both positive and negative sides.
Using polyurethane foam
Polyurethane foam is quite convenient and easy to use and does not require any special skills to use it. It adheres to absolutely any surface, but it dries quickly enough, so delay is unacceptable when working with it.
The foam is produced in small cylinders that have a convenient outlet tube. This helps to apply it quickly and ensures high quality installation. Polyurethane foam is the simplest material for working with foam and metal.
Application of polyurethane glue
Polyurethane adhesive is usually applied in dots or stripes over the entire surface of the foam sheet.
Liquid nails for gluing foam to metal
Liquid nails have lower surface bonding strength than the previous option, but after the first contact of the surfaces there is no need to provide support for the foam sheet.
Using PVA glue
If you want to use PVA glue for installation, then this method will provide a fairly good degree of adhesion of the foam, but you will need to create an additional layer between the surfaces with burlap. To make the work easier, you can first glue the burlap onto the foam, wait until it dries, and then continue working.
For finishing small areas with polystyrene foam, it is possible to use double-sided construction tape. This type of connection is of very high quality, as well as a high price. If you are not afraid of excessive financial costs, then this method is for you.
So, as you can see, there are no particular difficulties when installing various types of insulation. Of course, if you are doing this for the first time, then you will need some time to develop the necessary skills, but, as practice shows, almost every person is able to do this work on their own. In this case, you will not only be confident in the high quality of the installation, but you will also be able to save a fairly large amount of financial resources that can be spent on more important things in your home.
Preparatory stage - what is important to do before gluing?
Polystyrene foam can be glued to almost any material. Gluing concrete, wood, plastic and polystyrene will take place without any special incidents - almost any glue or putty mixture will do. But with metal things are somewhat more complicated. It is attempts to glue these materials that lead builders to numerous mistakes.
The most common mistake is choosing an adhesive that contains acetone, gasoline or another solvent. Gluing foam boards using such adhesive bases leads to the destruction of the boards themselves. The second type of error is an insufficient amount of adhesive. It must be applied to the back side of the foam boards in at least five places - in the corners and in the middle. In order to save money, many builders apply glue at only three points, which is fundamentally wrong and violates the entire technology.
It doesn’t matter which adhesive base you choose - before gluing the foam to the metal, you should definitely prepare the surface. First, you should thoroughly clean the metal surface of rust, dirt and paint. Any sanding machine - belt or vibrating - is best suited for this. After cleaning, the surface should be degreased with any suitable means.
How to glue foam to other materials?
Some types of glue designed to hold sheets of insulation together are not suitable for other materials. Therefore, when choosing a composition, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the surfaces to which the insulation sheets will be attached.
PVA glue
Adhesive spray
Paper. To increase the thermal insulation of a room, the walls of the house are often insulated from the inside, after which cosmetic repairs are carried out
It is important to remember that you cannot glue wallpaper over polystyrene foam. It is necessary to cover the insulation with plasterboard
And for wallpaper, regular wallpaper adhesive is suitable. Tree. To glue insulation to wooden surfaces or plywood, instant or polyurethane glue and liquid nails are used.
What glue should I use to glue foam?
Insulation of housing with expanded polystyrene has become a popular phenomenon as a result of the special characteristics of this finishing material.
The reliability of this method of wall cladding has been tested for decades, thanks to which the demand for it is steadily increasing, both in mass and private construction. To choose the most rational fastening method, you should know its characteristics. In construction, many types of foam adhesives have been developed for permanent bonding. When choosing, you should start from the basic requirements that will help you acquire the desired composition. The first step is to decide on the type of surface on which the thermal insulation will be attached. It is also recommended that the adhesive does not contain benzene, dimethyl ketone or similar solvents that may react chemically with the foamed plastic material.
Features of working with dry mixtures
Scheme for applying glue to polystyrene foam.
The most budget option is gluing using a dry mixture, which is diluted with a certain amount of water immediately before use. Such mixtures are made on a cement base. Before gluing foam using this mixture, be sure to read the information on its packaging. It must be indicated that it is intended specifically for working with foam plastic. Such mixtures are reliable and durable. Before gluing foam plastic with them, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the surface of various dirt, remove, if any, remnants of old plaster and any kind of delamination. Manufacturers of such mixtures recommend priming the working surface before gluing the foam.
The mixture can be applied to individual areas or as a continuous layer
It is important that there are at least 5 glue application points on each sheet of foam.
Required Tools
The set of tools and auxiliary materials required for gluing foam depends on the fixing agent used. In any case, you should prepare:
If you plan to additionally secure the slabs with dowels, then you need:
Installation of polystyrene foam on the balcony
When using a dry mixture, the following are additionally required:
Expanded polystyrene - what's what and why?
The correct technical name for the well-known polystyrene foam is expanded polystyrene. If you look closely at this material from a short distance, you will find that it consists of many small balls that stick together - these are polystyrene granules that have been foamed under high pressure and temperature and compressed in a press.
Polystyrene foam is very durable - polystyrene retains its shape for at least 25 years when used outside and for at least half a century when used inside. You will probably be surprised, because many people talk about its fragility. Indeed, ultraviolet radiation and constant exposure to moisture can shorten the service life. But these same factors can shorten the life of almost any building material, including various types of insulation.
Expanded polystyrene is not afraid of mold and fungi - thanks to this, it can also be used in a humid environment, for example, in a basement. Polystyrene granules practically do not absorb moisture. However, they say that all kinds of rodents can easily make holes in polystyrene foam. Again, this is only partially true - if rodents have something to eat, they will make holes even in concrete. Deprive them of food or kill them with poison, and you won't have to think about their relationship with the foam.
Foam plastic does not support combustion - no matter what they say, but this material is many times safer than the same wood. In order for it to ignite, the temperature is twice as high as in the case of wood, and when burning it produces much less heat. The material is safe for human health and the environment - among the common myths there is also the myth that the material is allegedly harmful to human health. But dozens of studies have already refuted this myth a long time ago. Look around you, there is a huge amount of much more harmful materials around you.
Polystyrene foam, penoplex, expanded polystyrene - are they the same thing?
The name “foam plastic” combines foamed materials based on polymers. The raw materials can be polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, phenol-formaldehyde and urea-formaldehyde plastics, as well as polystyrene. In everyday life, the polystyrene version (expanded polystyrene) is more common. This lightweight snow-white material is used for the manufacture of protective packaging, thermal insulation panels, disposable tableware, and elements of life jackets.
Another type of porous polymer is also made from polystyrene - extruded polystyrene foam. One of its trade names is penoplex. It has the same chemical composition as expanded polystyrene, but differs in production technology. To obtain it, the extrusion method is used - squeezing out a polystyrene mass foamed with a special agent.
Penoplex
Penoplex has the appearance of frozen foam of a yellowish tint. Penoplex blocks are used in construction to insulate walls, roofs and communications; model details and letters are cut out of them.
Review of popular brands
The adhesive composition used for gluing polystyrene foam sheets to metal must be characterized by:
It is preferable to choose a composition that contains composite mixtures, bitumen or plasticizers.
"Ceresit"
Due to their high quality, the brand’s products are respected by professional builders. Advantages of the adhesive composition "Ceresit":
Disadvantage: The working solution must be used within 2 hours.
"Moment"
The Moment glue line is expanding every year. Positive properties of the composition:
The disadvantages include the unpleasant odor of the glue (disappears only after complete drying), and is more often subject to counterfeiting (as a result of which the composition contains toxic components that are harmful to health).
"Master Termol"
Combined adhesive for polystyrene foam “Master Termol” has the following properties:
Time to use the finished composition is 30 minutes, material consumption per 1 m2 is 6 kg.
"Profline 3K-45"
An adhesive mixture for installing foam plastic and mineral wool, which is suitable for interior and exterior decoration. Positive properties of the composition:
During preparation of the composition, preventive safety measures should be observed. The dry mixture is characterized by increased dust formation, so it is necessary to protect the eyes and respiratory tract from it.
"Penoplex Fastfix"
Highly effective composition for installation of thermal insulation. Advantages of glue:
Those who have used Penoplex Fastfix adhesive consider the disadvantages to be the fact that the amount of work performed to cover the surface does not correspond to what is mentioned on the packaging; it is much less.
What varieties are suitable
In order to reliably connect puzzles into a single picture, various gluing means are used. Both special glue and those intended for other household purposes are used.
Specialized
Along with a set of puzzles, special glue is often placed in the box. It has a liquid consistency and is able to penetrate between elements and firmly connect them. The glue is odorless and colorless; it can form a glossy layer on the front side, after which the picture does not need to be varnished.
The properties of special glue and PVA are not very different. To reliably connect the assembled puzzles, PVA is applied to them along the front side with a brush, filling all the joints and gaps. After drying, white stains will become transparent and form a matte film on the surface of the glued picture.
Wallpaper for vinyl coverings
Elastic adhesion of the elements can be obtained after using glue for vinyl wallpaper. The advantage of the composition is the ability to prepare glue of different thicknesses.
Rating and review of the best brands
You can purchase several brands of puzzle glue in specialized stores. They differ in the quality of the adhesion and the appearance of the glued elements.
Step puzzle
Step puzzle glue is odorless, dries in 2 hours, 80 ml is enough to glue 1000 puzzle pieces. It is poured onto the front surface of the painting in two layers with a break of 1.5 hours. A thin transparent film is formed. If the parts were a little torn, thanks to Step puzzle they are neatly connected and become even. You should strengthen the picture on the back side by applying another layer of glue to it.
Ravensburger Puzzle Conserve
The glue is convenient to use because it comes in a can designed for 4000 elements. The liquid comes from it through a foam nozzle, which does not dry out and remains in working condition for a long time. Ravensburger dries in an hour, leaving a shiny film on the surface of the puzzles. After application to the front side, the painting does not need to be turned over, since the final quality of the connection is high.
Using a bottle of synthetic glue KSK-M, you can assemble a mosaic with an area of at least 0.4 square meters. After applying several layers to the front surface, its drying time is about 2 hours. Until this happens, it can be washed off with a soap solution.
Educa
Glue for fixing puzzles is produced in a bottle, in the upper part of which there is a sponge, the composition is squeezed onto it and applied to the outer surface of the picture. The glue dries in an hour and leaves no marks or streaks. One can is enough to fix 5000 elements.
"Ginger cat"
The bottle of Red Cat glue has a dispenser through which the composition is squeezed onto the finished picture or onto a small piece of sponge. With light movements it is distributed over the surface of the assembled puzzles. Two hours after drying, the painting is placed on the base and in the frame.
Fix Puzzle Conserver Permanent
Using this brand of glue, you will not need a brush, since the bottle is equipped with a sponge spout. The picture made from puzzles is wiped and the composition is applied to the front part so that it gets into all the gaps and crevices. Shake the bottle first.
