Reclaimed flooring is not only an eco-friendly choice but also adds a unique, rustic character to homes and commercial spaces. Whether it’s aged oak, pine, or other hardwoods, reclaimed timber needs special care during installation to ensure it stays in place and maintains its structural integrity for years to come. The right adhesive can make all the difference, particularly with the natural quirks of reclaimed wood, which can sometimes be warped, brittle, or uneven. In the UK market, there are several flooring glues that stand out for their effectiveness, durability, and suitability for reclaimed flooring. We have listed a few options below but as always seek advice from your floor fitters before fitting your boards.

SikaBond T54 – Flexible Wood Flooring Adhesive

SikaBond T54 is renowned for its flexibility and strength, making it an ideal choice for installing reclaimed wood. Reclaimed timber often comes with a level of natural expansion and contraction due to moisture and environmental factors. The flexibility of SikaBond T54 allows the wood to move slightly without compromising the integrity of the installation.

This adhesive is perfect for bonding engineered and solid wood floors to a variety of surfaces, including concrete and screed. Its superior flexibility means that it absorbs impact noise, which can be a concern with older floors. Furthermore, it’s solvent-free, making it a safer choice for indoor applications.

Pros:

• High flexibility, perfect for reclaimed wood’s natural movements.

• Solvent-free and low emissions.

• Can be used with underfloor heating.

Cons:

• A bit more expensive than other adhesives.

SikaBond T54 – Where to purchase

Amazon £132.08 Free Prime delivery Click here

Bona R848 – Hard Elastic Adhesive

Bona R848 is another popular choice for those working with reclaimed wood. This one-component, silane-based adhesive provides a strong yet elastic bond that’s perfect for the imperfections and variations found in reclaimed timber. Its elasticity ensures that it can handle the natural movements of wood without cracking or damaging the floor.

Bona R848 is easy to apply, has excellent bonding strength, and is moisture resistant, making it a great choice for older reclaimed wood that may be more susceptible to moisture issues. This adhesive works on various subfloor types and does not require a primer in most cases, reducing installation time.

Pros:

• Strong and elastic, allowing for wood movement.

• Suitable for a variety of subfloors.

• Easy to apply and works with underfloor heating.

Cons:

• Slightly longer curing time compared to some other adhesives.

Bona R848 – Where to purchase

Amazon £96.00 Free delivery Click here

Lecol 5500 – Solvent-Based Adhesive

Lecol 5500 is a tried and trusted solvent-based adhesive known for its strong bonding properties. While it may not be as flexible as some of the newer silane-based adhesives, its strength is hard to beat when working with particularly difficult or irregular reclaimed boards. If you are dealing with particularly uneven, warped, or thin pieces of reclaimed wood, Lecol 5500 provides the kind of robust adhesion needed to keep everything in place.

The solvent-based formula ensures rapid setting, meaning you can walk on the floor within a day, making it ideal for fast-paced installations. However, because it’s solvent-based, proper ventilation is crucial during application.

Pros:

• Very strong bond.

• Quick drying, ideal for fast installations.

• Proven reliability with reclaimed wood.

Cons:

• Solvent-based, so ventilation is necessary during use.

• Less flexible than silane-based adhesives.

Lecol 5500 – Where to purchase

Amazon £69.89 Free delivery Click here

Key Factors to Consider

When selecting an adhesive for reclaimed flooring, there are several factors to keep in mind:

1. Flexibility: Reclaimed wood, especially solid wood, naturally expands and contracts with humidity and temperature changes. Adhesives with flexible properties, such as silane-based or polyurethane adhesives, can accommodate this movement.

2. Bonding Strength: Reclaimed wood can be uneven or worn, making it essential to use an adhesive with strong bonding properties to ensure the floor stays in place over time.

3. Moisture Resistance: Some reclaimed wood might already be more prone to moisture damage. A moisture-resistant adhesive can help prevent future issues like swelling or warping.

4. Eco-friendliness: As sustainability is often a consideration with reclaimed wood, many homeowners and installers prefer low-VOC or solvent-free adhesives, which are better for both indoor air quality and the environment.

5. Ease of Application: Depending on the project, you might need an adhesive that is easy to apply and has a quick drying time, especially if the flooring needs to be ready for use within a short timeframe.

Conclusion

Installing reclaimed wood flooring adds character and charm to any space, but it requires the right adhesive to ensure a stable and lasting installation. In the UK, products like SikaBond T54 and Bona R848 offer flexible and eco-friendly options, while adhesives like Lecol 5500 and UZIN MK 200 provide exceptional strength for more challenging applications. Selecting the best glue ultimately depends on the specific conditions of your reclaimed wood and the installation environment, but any of the top adhesives listed above will provide you with a high-quality, professional finish.

Once last thing before we go Remember that if you are fitting on a subfloor you need to also explore options to seal the floor and protect your boards from damp by using products like FBall F75 two part liquid DPM.

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