Selecting the appropriate glue for foam block construction is essential to creating a sturdy and long-lasting structure. Because of their insulating qualities and light weight, foam blocks require a particular kind of adhesive to adhere well. With the aid of this guide, you can sort through the available options and choose the ideal glue for your project.
There are various adhesive kinds made specifically for foam blocks, and each has advantages of its own. Certain products are designed to withstand outdoor conditions, while others are more appropriate for use indoors. In the long run, understanding the differences can save you money, time, and effort.
A crucial part of the procedure is figuring out how much glue you’ll need. While underestimating could cause project delays, overestimating could result in wasteful spending. To assist you in making an accurate estimate, we’ll break down the important factors to take into account, such as the size of your blocks and the overall area you plan to cover.
Finally, knowing how much various glue options will cost will help you plan your construction project’s budget. Depending on the type, brand, and quantity of adhesive you select, prices can differ significantly. This guide will give you a thorough rundown of expenses to assist you in making a wise choice.
- What adhesive composition is required?
- How much is needed, how to calculate correctly?
- Which one is better to choose for laying foam concrete blocks??
- For external carriers
- For internal carriers
- For partitions
- Average price for adhesive compositions in the Russian Federation
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What adhesive composition is required?
Depending on the season of the year that this material can be used, all types of glue can be separated into multiple categories.
The item includes:
- Portland cement;
- fine quartz sand;
- modifiers and polymers.
The mass gains strength and quickens its hardening process from the cement. Hydrophilic modifiers are necessary because they hold onto moisture and stop cracks from forming when temperatures fluctuate.
To enable the master to apply a thin layer of adhesive solution when placing stones, fine quartz sand is added to the mixture. The product also needs polymers to become plastic and effectively fill the stone’s pores.
There are several types of adhesive compositions based on seasonality:
- Summer. You can work with this glue at temperatures from +5 to +30 degrees. Once prepared, it must be used within 2 hours. It will then begin to polymerize and become very hard. Made from white cement.
- Winter. It is used in temperatures from -10 to +5 degrees. Tends to harden half an hour after preparation: when working, the master prepares the solution in small portions.
Dry powder adhesive compositions are packaged and sold in paper bags. Osnovit, Volma, and Ceresit are the most well-known manufacturers.
For instance, the Ytong company manufactures a range of adhesive solutions for winter that contain salt additives. As a result, the composition is finely dispersed and the foam block can be covered with a very thin layer of glue.
Ceresit produces CT21 glue, it has:
- high adhesive properties,
- good frost resistance, although not used for winter masonry.
The Volma company manufactures adhesive compositions with coarse grains. This helps the masonry to bond well and enables the solution to be used as a plaster mixture to level walls. Winter adhesive solution Osnovit Selfr T112 is made in 20 kg bags and fully solidifies 2.5 hours after preparation.
How much is needed, how to calculate correctly?
It is required to follow the directions on the glue package in order to independently calculate the adhesive mixture’s consumption.
The primary measurements for future masonry are square meters and cubic meters. You should always include a margin in your computations when using indicators. For example, if the master functions for the first time, the 100% cost will go up.
A single cubic meter of foam block masonry with a 2 mm seam thickness is used for the computation rate.
The future wall’s perimeter multiplied by its thickness is used in the calculation. Since the foam block’s original dimensions are known, all sizes are known. The most common stone size is 600x300x200 mm; the wall’s thickness is indicated by the final indicator.
The formula that results is subtracted from the volume of future masonry. Furthermore, the glue’s flow will vary depending on the circumstances. For instance, the seam thickness may vary if you install windows, doors, interior jumpers, or partitions. According to builders’ experience, 1 cubic meter will typically require 15–23 kg of adhesive composition.
One can compute the wall’s square footage in addition to the material consumption. With a joint thickness of 1 mm, the average consumption per square meter of masonry is between 1.4 and 1.7 kg.
Which one is better to choose for laying foam concrete blocks??
The uses for powdered foam block adhesive vary depending on the variety. The manufacturer frequently specifies the recommended packaging and the material’s intended use. It is worthwhile to use these suggestions to select the ideal composition for building projects.
For external carriers
Winter glue or universal should be preferred when building external load-bearing walls because they may be constructed in an area with a severe winter climate.
Strong external walls are necessary, thus the foam blocks’ pores should be fully filled. This is a composition that works well with coarse sand. This type of adhesive solution is made by Volma. The Volma-block option for outdoor work is part of their line.
His attributes:
- can work at temperatures up to +5 degrees;
- suitable for indoor and outdoor use;
- designed for thin-seam masonry;
- reduces the total area of cold bridges;
- seam thickness 2-3 mm;
- Available in packs of 25 kg.
Water is added to volta-block in a ratio of 200 milliliters per kilogram of mixture. After 2.5 hours, the gray powder hardens completely. You have 10 minutes to make the correction, so you have to get to work fast. F35 is the frost resistance of such a solution.
For internal carriers
Maximum adhesion is still needed for the construction of internal load-bearing walls, but since work is frequently done indoors, temperature regime observation is no longer necessary. Ceresit ST21 adhesive is appropriate for these tasks.
His attributes:
- has good adhesion;
- resistant to water, so you can make masonry for the bathroom;
- resistant to low temperatures;
- used both indoors and outdoors;
- creates a durable layer between foam blocks;
- seam thickness 2 mm;
- sold in 25 kg bags.
The mixture is plastic and user-friendly because it contains polymer modifiers and mineral fillers. For every 25 kg of dry weight, 6 liters of water are needed. Within two hours, the prepared solution needs to be used.
Because it is easy to use and even a beginner can handle it, this option is great for building load-bearing internal walls. The operating temperature range is +5 to +30 degrees, and the correction time is 10 minutes.
For partitions
You no longer need to have as much strength when building partitions as when building main walls. You’ll need Osnovit Selform Mc112 glue for this. It is only appropriate for indoor partition installation.
It is less expensive than earlier adhesive solutions and, when applied, forms a thin layer. Osnovit is a cement grade M100 that possesses good adhesion and a two-hour usable life. The adhesive composition is available in 20 kg bags; one square masonry requires 8 kg of adhesive for a 3 mm seam.
It’s important to take the size of the blocks, the type of construction, and the surrounding environment into account when selecting glue for foam blocks. The right glue guarantees good adherence, longevity, and simplicity of use. To prevent unnecessary waste or shortages, you must also determine the amount based on the project’s scale and block dimensions. Additionally, since costs can differ depending on brand and quality, knowing the financial ramifications aids in creating an effective budget. This guide will assist you in navigating these factors to guarantee a project that is both profitable and successful.
Average price for adhesive compositions in the Russian Federation
You must be aware of the average cost of the material in Russia in order to accurately estimate the cost of construction work:
- Ceresit – from 300 to 350 rubles;
- Volma – from 193 to 230 rubles;
- Founder – from 200 to 250 rubles;
- Ytong – from 275 to 350 rubles;
- KREISEL – from 200 to 275 rubles.
The majority of formulas are offered for sale in 20 or 25 kg paper bags as powder. This packaging is ideal for use in masonry projects.
Glue Type | Description | Quantity Needed | Cost |
Polyurethane Foam Adhesive | Fast-drying, high bond strength, suitable for quick projects | 1 can per 10-12 sq. meters | $8-$12 per can |
Cement-Based Adhesive | Traditional choice, strong and durable, longer drying time | 25 kg bag per 10-15 sq. meters | $10-$15 per bag |
Ready-Mix Adhesive | Convenient, no mixing required, good for small areas | 20 kg bucket per 8-10 sq. meters | $20-$30 per bucket |
Selecting the appropriate glue for foam blocks is essential to guaranteeing the robustness and longevity of your building endeavor. The three primary categories of adhesives that are currently in use are dry mixes, polyurethane, and cement-based, each having specific benefits. Affordability and strong bonding are hallmarks of cement-based glue, whereas polyurethane adhesive provides excellent thermal insulation and speedy application. Dry mixes are a convenient option for many builders because they are adaptable and simple to store.
The size of your project and the particular needs of the adhesive you select should be taken into account when calculating the required amount of glue. The coverage area per unit of glue is usually specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. You should generally use one bag of cement-based glue for every square meter of foam block wall in a typical construction project. This can change depending on things like the thickness of the adhesive layer and the size of the blocks.
The price of foam block glue can differ significantly based on the kind and brand you choose. The least expensive glues are usually those that are cement-based, costing between $10 and $20 per bag. The cost of polyurethane adhesives is higher; a canister usually costs $20 to $40. In the middle of the spectrum, dry mix adhesives typically cost between $15 and $25 per bag. To guarantee you get the best results for your money, it’s critical to strike a balance between cost and quality.
In conclusion, choosing the best glue requires taking your project’s particular requirements into account, as well as the advantages of each type of glue and your financial situation. You can make an informed choice that guarantees a sturdy, long-lasting construction by carefully considering the amount of glue required and comprehending the financial ramifications. A successful build can be achieved by adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions and applying glue correctly, regardless of whether you choose to use cement-based, polyurethane, or dry mix adhesives.