Why, what and how to glue polystyrene foam to concrete: choice of material and technology of work

Polystyrene foam is frequently adhered to concrete using adhesives in building and remodeling projects. Because of its superior insulation qualities, polystyrene foam is frequently used in buildings to increase energy efficiency. However, cautious material selection and appropriate application methods are necessary to guarantee a strong and long-lasting bond between the foam and concrete.

Selecting the appropriate adhesive is essential. Not every glue can be used with concrete and polystyrene foam at the same time. While some adhesives might stick to the concrete surface well, others might dissolve the foam. It is crucial to choose a product made especially for this use in order to guarantee a solid and long-lasting bond.

The project’s success is also greatly influenced by the application process. It’s crucial to properly prepare the concrete surface and apply the adhesive. For best adhesion, the surface has to be dry, clean, and clear of dust and debris. A tight bond can be achieved by pressing the foam firmly into place and applying the adhesive in an even layer.

You may make sure that your polystyrene foam sticks to the concrete firmly and offers the required durability and insulation by realizing how important it is to select the right materials and apply the right methods. We’ll walk you through the process of choosing the best adhesive products and applying them successfully step-by-step in this article.

Why polystyrene foam is glued to concrete

This is done to enhance the concrete surface’s ability to insulate against heat and noise. Foam sheets adhere readily to nearly any surface with adhesive. This is particularly important if creating a rigid sheathing is not feasible. They can cover the object’s exterior, or facade, in addition to the interior walls or ceiling. There are various materials that can be used to fasten sheets of material:

• glue;
• dowels;
• liquid nails;
• foam.

Application of glue

Combine foam sheets with powdered glue. Adhesive compositions for ceramic tiles and facades are an alternative. Binding polymers are added to cement, which serves as their primary component. Before using, the glue is diluted with warm water. These kinds of compositions offer trustworthy adherence to the concrete surface. They are resilient to temperature fluctuations, moisture, and wear and tear.

Note that you should use the adhesive at room temperature. Lump formation can be prevented by mixing the composition using a drill bit attachment. Stir the mixture once more after allowing it to settle for a few hours. The adhesive then needs to be applied within two hours. Press the sheet into place and hold it there for two to three minutes to secure it to the surface after applying the adhesive composition directly to the foam. The variations in unevenness on the concrete affect the application method selection:

1. If they are no more than 50 mm, then apply the adhesive mixture in wide strokes.
2. If they do not exceed 15 mm, then lay the adhesive composition in intermittent stripes, leaving an indent of 20 mm from the edges of the slab. A little glue should be applied to the middle.
3. If the concrete is almost flat (height difference up to 3 mm), then use a notched trowel to lay the glue.

Remove the accumulation of air traffic jams beneath the foam sheet. After the slab has been fixed, you have two to three minutes to adjust its location. After roughly three days, the composition will finally freeze (depending on the brand). To remove excess depressed from under the material, use a moist cloth.

Foam adhesive can be purchased pre-made, meaning you won’t need to dilute it. Additionally, there is a bitumen composition that is characterized by its combustibility and resistance to frost. Preheat to 20 °C before applying. At zero degrees Celsius, the air should be. It is not necessary to heat bitumen-latex mastic. Dimethylpolysiloxane is a dense liquid that is made using rubber as an alternative.

Fixing with dowels

Use dowels instead of adhesives if you’d prefer; however, a hammer drill will be required in this scenario. It takes umbrella products to adhere foam to concrete. They ought to be long enough to ensure that the slabs are anchored to the concrete base as firmly as feasible. Take into account the material’s thickness as well. The following is the work process:

1. Pre-clean the surface.
2. Put down a level from which you will start covering the concrete with foam.
3. For fastening, drive in 2 dowels in the corners and 1 in the middle. Do this so that the “umbrellas” of the product press the corners of the adjacent slabs.
4. A gap of 3 mm is needed between the foam slabs so that the material does not deform with temperature fluctuations and decreases and increases in humidity.
5. At the end, fill all the gaps with sealant.

Liquid nails for gluing

This method is only suitable for flat concrete surfaces. Select a suitable composition depending on the information on the packaging, which indicates the purpose, operating conditions. Liquid nails are a polymer paste-like composition, which is supplemented with components that improve the adhesive properties. Due to this, they are stronger than powder glue and harden even at high humidity levels. Such compositions are poisonous, so work with gloves.

The oblong tubes that liquid nails come in must be put into mounting guns. This makes it possible to quickly and simply attach foam plastic to concrete. A good composition takes 20 to 40 minutes to set and takes a day to solidify. If the foam sheets are not glued, the liquid nails won’t have enough time to set. Pressure must be applied evenly throughout the surface for an extended period of time. When the material is affixed to the ceiling, this becomes challenging to achieve. The seams require treatment with a sealant after setting.

An efficient method of surface protection and insulation that ensures durability and energy efficiency is to glue polystyrene foam to concrete. To achieve a strong bond, this process entails choosing the appropriate adhesive, prepping the concrete surface, and correctly applying the foam. Whether for building projects or home improvements, knowing the right tools and methods will help you finish this task professionally.

Gluing with foam

A common solution for attaching foam plastic to smooth concrete is glue-foam. It will require at least some time. Alternatively, mounting foam can be used. In this instance, remember that you will need to wait for the slabs to set and press them firmly against the surface. Guidelines for applying foam adhesive:

1. Make sure that the contents of the tube are intended for polystyrene foam, not foam concrete. Then shake the contents and insert the can into the mounting gun.
2. Place the foam strips along the perimeter of each slab. Apply the foam to the center in a zigzag pattern, especially if the surface is not smooth enough.
3. Allow a little time for the mixture to soak into both surfaces. Remove any foam that has come out.

Make sure you take the necessary safety measures to keep foam particles out of your eyes. Remember that this composition needs to be shielded from UV light as well. It is advisable to wash the mounting gun if you take extended breaks from your work.

One workable solution for energy efficiency and insulation in construction is to glue polystyrene foam to concrete. This technique provides an affordable means of improving a building’s thermal performance, increasing comfort and lowering energy expenses. Although the procedure is simple, to guarantee long-lasting results, careful material selection and adherence to recommended techniques are necessary.

Selecting the appropriate adhesive is essential. Adhesives specifically made for polystyrene foam offer a robust hold without causing any harm to the substance. The work is completed more quickly and effectively because these adhesives are frequently simple to use and set quickly. For optimal results, it’s crucial to adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions.

The preparation of the surface holds equal significance. The concrete surface needs to be dust- and grease-free, dry, and clean. This guarantees a strong bond between the adhesive molecules. Using a primer on the concrete can also increase adherence, giving the polystyrene foam a more stable place to stick.

It works best to apply the adhesive with a notched trowel, spreading it evenly over the surface. Hold the polystyrene foam in place while applying pressure firmly until the adhesive hardens. In order to prevent gaps that could reduce the effectiveness of the insulation, proper alignment is crucial. Additional adhesive or tape sealing the edges can improve the insulating properties even more.

All things considered, attaching polystyrene foam to concrete is an easy process that can greatly increase a building’s energy efficiency. You can get an insulating solution that is long-lasting and efficient by selecting the right materials and adhering to the right instructions.

Video on the topic

How to attach polystyrene foam to a wall?

Instructions, fixing insulation panels, MAKROFLEX construction foam adhesive, NBI Production