The structural integrity of any structure is how well the joints and materials are bonded together. A bond that breaks, spells disaster for your construction company. It's crucial to make sure that you are using the best methods and materials available to ensure a quality build. However, did you know that before modern-day screws and nails, carpenters used a method called "pegged wood construction"?
"Pegged wood construction" involved using horsehide glue. The first adhesives were not enough to hold two pieces of material together with the strength needed. Pegs, made of wooden dowels were used to pass through both materials to create a stronger mechanical bond. This gave rise to modern-day nails and screws which became the go-to for commercial and residential construction.
New-age adhesives are more powerful than ever before and have become an increasingly popular alternative to nails and screws that will make the job much easier and faster, not to mention your build will be more durable. Thanks to evolving technology adhesives are designed for specific construction purposes. Let's take a look at the benefits of adhesives in construction.
Benefits of Adhesives in Construction
There is no question that traditional fasteners have their well-earned place in the construction industry. There are better options on the market that can be either used as an alternative or in conjunction with fasteners. Adhesives offer significant advantages in terms of strength and durability, including:
- Provide an increased load-bearing maximum weight across the entire surface
- The ability to bond two materials that are different together
- Will not corrode or rust like metal screws, nails, and stables
- Adds additional strength to the bond because it covers the entire surface end-to-end
- The ability to absorb more energy without fracturing under stress
- Make the material less vulnerable to temperature changes
- Increase in long-term durability
- Improved sealing properties due to the continuous contact between the two materials (e.g., two pieces of flooring)
- The ability to fill small gaps if need be
- Improved thermal and electrical insulation and conductivity
Additional Considerations for Adhesives
It is important that engineers and contractors still carefully plan the application of construction adhesives. Joint designs, preparation requirements, and curing recommendations should be taken into consideration before applying adhesives in construction. Furthermore, there are many types of adhesives available specifically tailored to various construction materials. The right one for your build will depend on the types of materials that you are bonding together (e.g., subfloor adhesive and drywall adhesives).
It's Not All or Nothing!
There is no doubt that adhesives have definite advantages over traditional fasteners. Sometimes the best methods aren't just one solution or another. It is using two or more methods to produce the highest-quality build. This is true when it comes to construction. There are situations in which the best solution is to use adhesives in combination with fasteners. This route gives you the best of both worlds. For example, if you are installing subflooring into either a residential or commercial building, think about how much stronger and durable the flooring will be if there are not only screws attaching the two pieces of subflooring but a quality adhesive between the two types of materials.
Superior Professional Grade Construction Adhesives
When it comes to residential and commercial builds, you only want to use the highest quality professional-grade construction adhesives. Katabatic is North America's premier manufacturer of superior construction adhesives for construction needs, including drywall, general construction needs, and engineered floors. Our adhesive solutions are not only as strong as the material you are bonding together but increase your crew's productivity and efficiency.
Our superior subflooring adhesives securely bond each layer of flooring which increases the maximum load-bearing weight and prevents the layers from rubbing against each other, which reduces annoying creaks and moans as people move across the surface. Not to mention, the friction causes unnecessary wear and tear on the materials used, meaning they will have to be replaced sooner. Our Katabatic experts are here to answer questions you might have to decide which products will work best for you. Browse our line of professional-grade construction adhesives today!
