A Guide to Choosing Various Adhesives for Home Decoration

Adhesives are substances that bond surfaces together and play an irreplaceable role in home renovation. However, adhesives are also one of the major sources of indoor air pollution in home decoration. Many adhesives contain trace amounts of toxic substances such as formaldehyde and benzene, and low-quality adhesives often have even higher concentrations of these harmful chemicals. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that homeowners pay close attention to adhesives during renovation and avoid simply leaving their selection up to the renovation team. It’s best to gain some basic knowledge about commonly used adhesives in home decoration, which will help ensure that your home renovation is environmentally friendly and healthy.

 

I. Things to Know When Selecting and Using Home Decoration Silicone Sealant

         When it comes to the most commonly used adhesive in home decoration, glass sealant is undoubtedly the answer. Glass sealant plays a crucial role throughout the entire renovation process, with the installation phase seeing the highest demand for its use. While other adhesives are typically chosen by the construction team, glass sealant is usually purchased directly by homeowners. As a result, homeowners can more easily assess its quality—and thus, they really can’t afford to be unaware of the proper knowledge regarding its selection and application.

 

         1. Things to Know About Silicone Sealant Classification

         Glass sealant is a commonly used household adhesive—a material designed to bond and seal various types of glass and other substrates. Its main components include sodium silicate, acetic acid, and organic silicone. There are many different types of glass sealants available on the market, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish among them. So, let’s start by learning about glass sealants and their classifications.

         Glass sealants can be categorized into two types based on their product packaging: single-component and two-component. Single-component glass sealants cure simply by coming into contact with moisture in the air, whereas two-component sealants require mixing the two components together before they can cure. In home decoration, single-component glass sealants are more commonly used. Additionally, based on their chemical properties, glass sealants can be further divided into acidic and neutral types. Acidic sealants have stronger adhesion but also greater corrosiveness; therefore, neutral glass sealants—with weaker corrosivity and moderate adhesion—are more frequently employed in home decoration.

         2. Things to Know When Choosing Silicone Sealant

         In home renovation, silicone sealant primarily serves to bond and seal. However, if you use low-quality silicone sealant, its lifespan will certainly be short, and it will contain more toxic substances. Over time, it’s prone to cracking and mold growth. Therefore, homeowners should be cautious when selecting silicone sealant and avoid purchasing low-priced products at all costs. It’s best to opt for branded silicone sealant products whenever possible.

         In addition, when making your purchase, be sure to carefully check whether the packaging of the silicone sealant product clearly displays the product name, manufacturer’s name, specifications, place of origin, color, and date of manufacture; whether it includes a certificate of conformity, a warranty certificate, and a product inspection report; whether the instructions on the tube—covering intended uses, application methods, and precautions—are clear and complete; and whether the net content is accurate. Manufacturers are required to indicate the specifications, model number, and net content on the packaging.

 

         3. Notes on Using Glass Sealant

         Most silicone sealants come with packaging that clearly indicates the types of materials they are suitable for bonding. Some even specify the exact bonding strengths when used to bond different materials. When purchasing silicone sealant, consumers would do well to carefully read the instructions for use. There are also several precautions to keep in mind when applying silicone sealant; otherwise, the sealant’s service life could be affected.

         Applying silicone sealant also involves specific methods and steps. When applying the sealant, first remove any contaminants from the joint surface, such as moisture, grease, dust, and other debris, ensuring that the surface is thoroughly clean and dry. Next, cut open the tip of the sealant tube and attach a nozzle applicator. Then, cut the nozzle at a 45° angle according to the size of the joint to be filled. After that, attach the caulking gun, hold it at a 45° angle, and carefully extrude the sealant along the joint, making sure the sealant makes close contact with the substrate surface. If the joint width exceeds 15 millimeters, you’ll need to apply the sealant multiple times in repeated layers.

 

II. Classification and Selection of Woodworking Adhesives for Home Decoration

         Nowadays, in home decoration projects, woodwork often relies on joining sheet materials rather than solid wood blocks. To connect these sheet materials, large amounts of adhesives are frequently required. It’s recommended that homeowners whose homes involve extensive woodwork take the time to thoroughly understand the types of adhesives being used before construction begins, so as to avoid using low-quality adhesives that could lead to serious indoor air pollution. Let’s take a look at some commonly used adhesives in woodwork construction.

 

         White latex

         1. Introduction to White Latex Glue

         One type of glue commonly used in woodworking is white latex glue. It’s a milky-white, thick liquid produced by synthesizing vinyl acetate from acetic acid and ethylene, followed by emulsion polymerization. White latex glue cures at room temperature, sets relatively quickly, and exhibits high bonding strength. The adhesive layer boasts excellent toughness and durability and is resistant to aging. White latex glue is primarily suitable for bonding wooden furring strips and wooden substrate boards, as well as finished wood surface panels. In addition, white latex glue is also ideal for adhering wall wallpapers and wall primers, enhancing their adhesive strength.

 

         2. Selecting White Latex Glue

         Since white glue is a petroleum-derived product, its cost fluctuates with oil prices. To cut costs, counterfeiters often mix substances like starch into genuine products, and there are many such fake white glue products on the market. Therefore, we recommend that homeowners be sure to purchase products from well-known brands and carefully check for proper documentation when making their selection. In addition, when buying white glue, pay close attention to its quality: smell it to see if it has a pungent odor; also check whether the glue is uniformly mixed, free of layering or sedimentation; and ensure that the cured glue film is transparent.

 

         3. Notes on Using White Latex Glue

         When using white latex glue, be sure to maintain the application temperature between 7°C and 95°C. Depending on the specific application, white latex glue can be diluted with water; however, before diluting, first heat the glue to above 30°C and then gradually add it to water heated to over 30°C while stirring thoroughly. Do not dilute with cold water below 10°C. In general, white latex glue is safe to use, but it must not be swallowed or allowed to come into contact with the eyes. If it accidentally gets into your mouth or eyes, immediately rinse thoroughly with plenty of clean water.

 

         All-purpose glue

         All-purpose glue, also known as 309 glue, is often used in woodworking projects. The solvent in all-purpose glue typically consists of nitro thinner (nitro-based thinner), which contains large amounts of toxic substances such as benzene. Therefore, in woodworking operations, it’s best to avoid using all-purpose glue whenever possible.

All-purpose glue is primarily used for bonding finished wood veneer panels. It features high bonding strength, long service life, and is resistant to delamination. When using all-purpose glue, both surfaces to be joined must be coated with glue. After allowing the glued surfaces to sit for ten to twenty minutes—until they no longer feel sticky to the touch—join them together.

 

         Floor adhesive

         When installing mosaic tiles, cork flooring, or composite flooring, you can use the direct-glue installation method to bond the flooring directly onto a cement floor. The adhesive used in this process is known as flooring adhesive. Flooring adhesive installation is extremely convenient and quick. However, compared to the joist installation method or the floating installation method, using adhesive results in relatively higher levels of pollution. Therefore, it’s recommended that when purchasing flooring, you opt for flooring that doesn’t require adhesive, thus minimizing your reliance on glue-based installation methods.

         Floor adhesive is primarily suitable for wooden flooring panels. It has a relatively short curing time—typically setting within 1 to 3 hours. It boasts high bonding strength and a long service life. When selecting floor adhesive, be sure to check its environmental friendliness to avoid purchasing low-quality products. Before applying floor adhesive, ensure that the floor surface is thoroughly dry, clean, and smooth.

 

III. Selecting Wallpaper Adhesive

         Wallpaper, with its rich textures and patterns, is beloved by many households and has become one of the key finishing materials for walls. To apply wallpaper to walls, adhesive is essential. Today, let’s take a look with the editor at the various types of adhesives available for wallpaper installation—and learn how to choose the most environmentally friendly wallpaper adhesive.

 

         1. Introduction to Wall Base Adhesive

         Before applying wallpaper, the wall surface must be prepared by applying putty and other treatments. During the application of wall putty in renovation projects, in addition to adding white latex, it is also essential to incorporate other adhesives with longer fibers to enhance its strength. Typically, two types are used: 107 glue and cooked glue powder.

         Wall base adhesive

         107 Glue: Slow to set, not used alone, low bonding strength, exhibits shrinkage; fibers are relatively long; flame-retardant; soluble in water.

         Mature glue powder: slow to set, not used alone; low bonding strength, with shrinkage; longer fiber than 107 glue; flame-retardant; soluble in water.

         Due to its severely excessive formaldehyde content, 107 glue was listed by the Ministry of Construction in July 2001 as a building material product to be phased out and banned from use. However, it is still being sold on the market. In home decoration, it’s best to avoid using 107 glue altogether and instead opt for pre-mixed adhesive powder.

 

         2. The three common types of wallpaper adhesive

         Starch glue

         Starch glue is typically a two-component product. The package includes a box of starch and a separate adhesive paste. To use it, first pour the starch powder into a container filled with water—ideally leaving some water aside—and gradually add water while stirring until you achieve a consistency similar to rice paste. Then, add the adhesive paste and mix thoroughly to enhance the glue’s viscosity.

         The powder component of starch glue is generally relatively environmentally friendly, but it’s much more difficult to ensure the environmental friendliness of the glue paste itself. Therefore, when purchasing starch glue, you should pay close attention to the environmental friendliness of the glue paste and check whether the paste has a product testing certificate or other relevant documentation.

         Glutinous rice glue

         Glutinous rice glue is a high-performance adhesive specifically designed for wallpaper applications. It first gained popularity in Japan and subsequently spread to other regions, which is why it’s also known in the industry as “Japanese glue.” Glutinous rice glue is made from pure, natural edible starch and high-performance plant-based materials, using leading formulations and technologies developed by Japan’s top adhesive industry. As a convenient, all-natural plant-based adhesive, glutinous rice glue requires only the addition of water and thorough mixing before use—no need to add any additional thickening agents or adhesives.

         When purchasing imported glutinous rice glue, since the product packaging instructions and other documentation are all in Japanese, exercise extra caution when making your selection to avoid being deceived by counterfeit products. It’s best to ask to see the product’s customs declaration, certificate of origin, Chinese labeling, and environmental testing report.

         Barrel-packaged adhesive

         Bucket-packaged adhesives are typically packaged in plastic buckets, with the adhesive itself directly contained within the bucket, allowing the state of the adhesive to be readily observed. Most of these adhesives are imported from Europe and the U.S. Bucket-packaged adhesives offer significant advantages in terms of environmental performance and bonding strength, but they also tend to be relatively more expensive. When purchasing these imported adhesives, it’s equally important to carefully review relevant documents such as the product’s import customs declaration, certificate of origin, and environmental testing report.

 

IV. Other Types of Adhesives You Should Know

         The preceding section mainly discussed three common types of adhesives used in installation: glass sealant, woodworking glue, and wallpaper adhesive. However, in home decoration projects, there are many other applications that require various other types of adhesives—so numerous that it’s impractical to go into detailed descriptions of each one. Nevertheless, let’s take a brief look at some of the other adhesives commonly used in home decoration projects.

 

         1. Stone adhesive

         Stone adhesive is suitable for bonding marble and granite slabs to wall surfaces. Using stone adhesive to install natural stone on walls is simple and convenient, with easy application that eliminates the complicated procedures involved in dry-hanging stone installations.

There are various stone adhesives available on the market, including marble adhesive, AB adhesive, and silicone sealant. Among these, marble adhesive is relatively widely used. It is a paste-like, viscous adhesive formulated with a base of epoxy resin and other synthetic polymers. It is suitable for bonding materials such as marble, granite, mosaics, ceramic tiles, and other stone products to cement substrates.

 

         2. Tile adhesive

         Tile adhesive, also known as ceramic tile bonding agent, is primarily used for adhering materials such as tiles, facing bricks, and floor tiles. Its key features include high bonding strength, excellent water resistance, freeze-thaw durability, good aging resistance, and ease of application. In home decoration, simple cement mortar is typically used instead of tile adhesive—mainly because tile adhesive has relatively poorer environmental performance.

 

         3. Specialized PVC adhesive

         Suitable for bonding PVC pipes and fittings. Specifically designed for PVC, it cures quickly; boasts high adhesion and long service life; exhibits slight expansion but lacks elasticity; offers excellent waterproof performance; is flammable and slightly toxic.

 

         4. Electrical-specific adhesive

         Suitable for bonding plastic conduit and fittings, as well as for insulating and sealing. Specifically designed for electrical work, it features fast curing, high adhesion strength, long service life, no expansion, no elasticity, excellent insulating and sealing performance, and flame retardancy.