Durably attached

Facade panel bonding based on 35 years of global experience

Facade panels are becoming increasingly popular. Not only because of their long service life, but also because they are easy, quick and clean to install. "Moreover, facade panels can be used to achieve an aesthetically high-quality and seamless building facade," says Free Van hulle, Technical Account Manager Façade at Bostik. "Our Paneltack panel bonding system is designed to support 10 times the weight of the panel. In addition, the system resists wind loads and absorbs cyclic expansion and contraction due to environmental and weather influences. With three types of Paneltack adhesive, we ensure durable bonding of wall panels in a wide variety of material types, such as stone wool board, HPL and fiber cement board."

Bostik has been at the forefront of the market for 35 years with the Paneltack system, which ensures worry-free bonding of cladding systems, eaves finishes, awnings and ceilings. "The system includes a select range of primers, adhesives, a cleaner and a foam tape, which have evolved into a complete and proven solution thanks to our years of international R&D efforts," Free said. "Our adhesive products are tested and certified according to KOMO as well as internationally according to a European Technical Assessment (ETA). This means that our adhesives can be used without additional mechanical fixings. This saves time and costs."

That's why gluing!

Gluing facade panels offers great advantages over screws, for example, he says. "A major advantage is the blind fastening without visible screws or covers. In addition, leakage marks (dirt streaks) are not an issue and fracture stress is prevented. Because wall panel bonding uses a vertical support structure, where the wall panels are bonded to vertical battens, the stress field is significantly better distributed. Point loads as with screws do not apply. This makes it possible to glue even thinner panels without risk of breaking or cracking."

Three panel types, three adhesive systems

Facade panels made of rock wool board, HPL and fiber cement board each have their own specific properties, Free knows. "For example, thermal and hygric movement (shrinking and expanding due to temperature fluctuations and humidity, ed.) differs. Therefore, the bonding of these panels also requires specific adhesive systems, with specific elasticity. For example, to absorb deformation of the wall panels." Bostik provides this with three adhesive systems (Paneltack, Paneltack S970 S and Paneltack HM) with corresponding primers. "The adhesion of the panels in combination with our adhesive systems is invariably examined in collaboration with the manufacturers. Then we also have the combination tested by an independent test institute and we make specific processing instructions per manufacturer and per type of panel, which guarantees a reliable adhesion for a long time."

Four processing steps

Complete adhesive systems are used in the bonding of siding, which include all the treatments and materials necessary for proper bonding. From adhesives to primers and a foam tape. "A major advantage of our adhesive systems is the limited number of processing steps," Free emphasizes. "Intermediate steps such as cleaning and dry rubbing are not an issue. This allows processors to save considerable time without sacrificing quality and reliability."

Preparation of the substrate is important for proper adhesion of the adhesive. For example, the battens must be free of dust and grease. "An adhesion promoter in the form of a primer is also needed. Apply the primer to the battens and panels and respect the drying time, as indicated on the package." A foam tape on the battens serves for initial adhesion and as a spacer for the adhesive. "The foam tape must be applied vertically, uninterrupted and over the entire panel length. It is also essential to press the tape down well and to leave the release liner in place until just before the wall panel assembly." Next, it's time for bonding. "For this, apply a straight, even and unbroken triangular glue bead (9x9x9 mm), keeping the application gun at 90° to the battens and respecting the maximum opening time. After applying the adhesive bead you have - depending on the weather conditions - a maximum of 10 minutes to fix the wall panels. After this, a skin film will form, which prevents correct initial bonding. After applying the adhesive bead, remove the protective film from the foam tape and attach the panels, by gently pressing and rubbing them against the tape."

Project warranty

To ensure correct bonding, Bostik supports professionals in the bonding industry with project start-up and work plans. Account managers provide advice on the right products for each project and panel type. Comprehensive processing instructions per panel type are also available on the website. In addition, Bostik can issue a project warranty for projects of 150 m2 or more. The basis of this project warranty is a complete project care. From the design phase up to and including the delivery, where Bostik advises on the correct products and provides on-site training on their correct application. "During bonding, we make several visits to the construction site to take stock of whether all product instructions are being followed or whether adjustments may be needed. All processing steps are accurately recorded and bundled in a file, which is handed over to the client after completion and including a warranty certificate." The standard project warranty is 10 years.