How to glue decorative concrete panels on the wall?
Would it be possible to install decorative concrete panels on the wall without drilling? When drilling is not the best option, whether because of the risk of damage to electrical wiring or noise, you need to find another, less invasive solution. With help comes the strongest mounting adhesive with hybrid technology — FIX2 Turbo GT.
What is hybrid technology, and how does it help install decorative concrete panels?
Hybrid technology combines the best features of different types of adhesives and sealants, such as silicone, acrylics and polyurethanes. Hybrid adhesives are extremely strong and, in addition, flexible, so they absorb vibrations and “work” together with the surfaces to be glued, without losing adhesive strength. You will use them in areas exposed to changing weather conditions and where there are high mechanical loads. An example of an ideal application for hybrids is the installation of decorative concrete panels on the wall.
Installation of concrete panels for the wall step by step
Decorative concrete panels for the wall is an enduring trend in interior finishing. It is also not uncommon to find concrete panels mounted on the wall outside the building. Due to their size and weight, the installation of such panels requires a suitably strong mounting adhesive. How strong? Imagine an adhesive that will hold as much as 400 kg per cm². Such power is possessed by the hybrid mounting adhesive FIX² Turbo GT from Tytan Professional. Thanks to it, even the largest decorative concrete wall panels can be installed quickly and without problems.
Let’s say your challenge is a standard concrete panel measuring 100 × 50 cm, 1cm thick and weighing more than 15kg! How to approach such a task?
Prepare the substrate and concrete panels for the wall
Whether you are installing decorative concrete panels on the wall in the living room or on the facade of a building, always start by preparing the surface, which must be clean and decently vacuumed. When installing concrete panels for a wall, remember to prime, both the surface and the concrete panels. Moreover, the surface must not only be clean, but also stable. If the substrate raises your doubts because, for example, it makes a deafening sound when tapping, it is best to reinforce it. Even the strongest mounting adhesive will fail if the substrate is unstable, dirty, and dusty.
Apply mounting adhesive directly to the concrete panel
When the substrate and concrete panels are prepared, it’s time to apply the super-strong FIX² Turbo GT mounting adhesive. Remember to properly use the applicator attached to the cartridge. This applicator, with a V-shaped tip, is designed to facilitate even application of the adhesive. Position the tip at 12 o’clock, that is so that the notch is pointing directly upward, which allows the glue to form a pyramid shape. This shape is key, as it provides the maximum contact area between the glue and the surface to be glued, which increases the strength of the bond.
The mounting adhesive should be applied in longitudinal lines, every 7 cm apart. These lines should be parallel and spread evenly over the entire surface of the board. It is important to keep about 3 cm distance from the edge of the concrete panel. This will prevent the hybrid mounting adhesive from leaking out to the sides when pressing the panel against the surface. It is critical to remember that the thinner the glue joint, the stronger the initial grip and, therefore, the stronger the pressing of the panel, the better the sticking of the element. The recommended thickness of the glue strip for larger elements such as architectural concrete panels is 5-6 mm.
Glue the decorative concrete panel to the wall
After applying the mounting adhesive, take the concrete panel and apply it to the wall. Press it down and start gently moving the panel up, down and side to side. “Vibrating” the concrete panel in this way will help the adhesive to spread better under the surface of the panel, eliminating any air bubbles that could weaken the bond. This avoids a situation where the glue is concentrated in one place and missing in others. Evenly distributed glue ensures the stability and durability of the installation of the decorative concrete panel on the wall.
Will the hybrid mounting adhesive keep the concrete panel on the wall?
If you took care at the preparation stage to thoroughly prepare the substrate, and then used the right amount of glue and pressed the concrete panel decently, you don’t have to worry about the concrete panel falling off.
The super-strong FIX² Turbo GT hybrid adhesive is particularly suitable for installing heavy components on vertical surfaces. The adhesive has a strong initial grip and starts working immediately after application. On the other hand, you don’t have to worry about this quick grip — you have a maximum of 10 minutes to correct the panel placement. This is crucial when you’re installing concrete panels on a wall and need to get everything perfectly aligned.
After 30 minutes, the adhesive begins to pre-set, and after 3 hours it reaches full-strength and full cure. The advantage of hybrid technology is also that you don’t have to worry about supports. Heavy items, such as decorative concrete panels, will adhere securely to the selected surface without the need for additional supports.
Keep in mind that the specified values refer to a situation where the temperature is 23 °C, the relative humidity is 50% and the joint is 0.5 mm thick. If the temperature and humidity are lower and the joint is thicker, the curing time will increase.
FIX² Turbo GT mounting adhesive = zero drilling
A huge advantage of super-strong hybrid adhesives is the ability to minimize work that requires drilling, making assembly quiet and clean. This is ideal if you work in office buildings, schools, or hospitals. If, in turn, you are operating at height, you don’t have to worry about access to electricity and tangled cables. Installation is fast, efficient, and safe, allowing you to work in various conditions.
Another advantage is the durability of the FIX² Turbo GT mounting adhesive after curing. The bond is resistant to degradation over time and has high resistance to breaking and shear forces.
Hybrid adhesives are chemically neutral and safe for sensitive surfaces such as mirrors, marble, aluminum or just architectural concrete. They contain no solvents or isocyanates. They are also resistant to UV radiation and changing weather conditions — temperatures from -40°C to +90°C (in the case of FIX² Turbo GT).
As you can see, the installation of decorative concrete panels on the wall is possible with the modern strongest mounting adhesives. Hybrid products will change your approach to installation, making it faster, cleaner and more efficient.