When you’re laying rubber flooring, choosing the right glue can make or break your job. You want something that’ll keep that floor stuck down for years, no matter what gets thrown at it.
Bond Strength
First up, you need an adhesive with some real muscle. We’re talking about a bond that can handle heavy foot traffic, equipment being moved around, you name it. But here’s the catch – rubber isn’t static. It expands when it’s warm and contracts when it’s cold. So your glue needs to be flexible enough to move with it, or you’ll end up with a floor that’s peeling at the edges.
Moisture Resistance
Now, think about where you’re installing this floor. Is it a gym where people are going to be sweating? A kitchen where spills are common? You’ll want an adhesive that laughs in the face of moisture. And while we’re at it, it should be able to handle chemicals too. You never know when someone’s going to drop a bottle of cleaning solution.
Tack
Here’s something many folks overlook – how quickly the glue grabs. Rubber’s not like wood or concrete; it doesn’t soak up the adhesive. You want something that grips fast, even on a smooth surface. That’s why a lot of pros go for solvent-based stuff or those fancy reactive adhesives like epoxies or polyurethanes.
Wakol’s Recommendations
Now, let’s talk about a couple of products. First off we have WAKOL D 3320 PVC Adhesive. Don’t let the name throw you – it works great for rubber too. It’s good for single-layer rubber flooring (what the tech folks call “homogeneous”) up to 2.5 mm thick. Think of those solid rubber tiles you see in gyms or industrial settings. It also works for multi-layered rubber flooring (that’s “heterogeneous” in catalog-speak) up to 4 mm thick – like those fancy decorative rubber tiles with different layers for wear, design, and backing.
Another option is WAKOL D 3360 VersaTack. This one’s a bit of a Swiss Army knife. It’ll handle rubber flooring up to 2.5 mm thick, whether it’s single-layer or multi-layer. And it gives you plenty of time to work, which is great when you’re dealing with a tricky installation.
Both these adhesives are water-based, which means easier clean-up and less fumes – your lungs will thank you. But remember, no matter how good your glue is, it won’t do squat if your subfloor isn’t prepped right. Make sure it’s clean, dry, and level before you even think about opening that adhesive bucket.
So, that’s the lowdown on rubber floor glue. Does any of this spark some questions about your next flooring job? Send us a message and we will be happy to help you source all the materials you need to lay the perfect floor!