Buying the Right Cladding Adhesive

When installing cladding to your walls, it’s important to ensure that you use the correct equipment and materials. Cladding, such as PVC hygienic cladding, can offer many years of durable service when installed correctly, but you will need to use specific products in order to get a secure seal to your walls. In this guide, we’ll look through some of the top cladding adhesive options available for PVC hygienic cladding, bathroom cladding, and external stone cladding. When used correctly, cladding adhesive can help give you defined, beautiful walls that will maintain their strength long into the future.

What is Cladding?

PVC hygienic cladding consists of sheets of PVC that can be attached to walls with adhesives and trims, offering a consistent covering. It can also be used as a ceiling cladding. PVC cladding is mainly used in environments where hygiene is of the utmost priority, such as hospitals or kitchens. It is antimicrobial, mould-resistant, waterproof, and easy to clean. It can come in a range of stylish colours. PVC cladding can also be used as a bathroom cladding, to give a completely waterproof cover of the wall. This is considerably cheaper than tiling and can be installed in a range of styles and colours. There are also larger solid wall claddings made for bathroom use, giving the appearance of tiling.

Stone cladding is the installation of panels covered with stones, to give the appearance of a solid stone wall. It is mainly used as exterior cladding. Stone tiles can offer the visual benefits of natural stone without the costs or weight. Brick slips are also available, giving the look of a brick wall.

Hygienic Cladding Adhesives

Hygienic cladding will need to be secured to a wall with a designated adhesive. There are other adhesive options available, to help prime a wall, and to seal gaps between sheets or joins at their edges. 

Two-Part Adhesive

Two-part adhesive will come in a single tub, and is the standard cladding adhesive for hygienic PVC cladding. Part A is the paste within the plastic tub, and Part B is the hardener which will come in a foil bag. The two will need to combined in the tub and mixed with a drill mixing attachment or a power mixer. You will need to mix the two for between 2 and 3 minutes. Before installation all surfaces  will need to be carefully cleaned. Two-part adhesive should be evenly spread across the reverse side of your hygienic cladding using a 4mm notched trowel, making sure to leave a gap of around 15mm around the outside edge.

Primer

Primer can be used as part of the cladding adhesive process, to ensure a longer-lasting product. It does this by creating a smooth and clean surface on your wall. It also inhibits moisture absorption and cracking, making your hygienic cladding walls look better for longer. 

Silicone Sealant

Silicone sealant is a cladding adhesive used for filling and sealing joints between sheets. This helps to ensure strong, clean, and neat joins and edges for your cladding walls.

Weld Rod

Welding rods are used to provide seals between sheets. They can be applied with a welding gun, and trimmed with a quarter moon knife to give a neat finish. Weld rods come in many colours, allowing you to choose a colourful wall cladding and a matching weld rod.

Butyl Tape

Some types of wall cladding will call for butyl tape to be used to seal along their side laps. Butyl tape is an adhesive tape that can bond with most surfaces.

Bathroom Cladding Adhesive

PVC bathroom cladding is normally solid unlike hygienic wall coverings. It can come in different effects like tile effect or marble effect. You can use a solvent free silicone sealant as a cladding adhesive, attaching the solid pieces of bathroom cladding to your wall. Bathroom cladding tiles tend to use tongue and groove design allowing them to neatly slot together on your wall.

Best Adhesive For Exterior Stone Cladding

Stone cladding can be adhered to external walls using a flexible rapid setting exterior cladding adhesive, such as a tile adhesive. A good example of an external wall cladding flexible adhesive would be Everbuild EVBRAPID10. You can also used a cement based wall cladding adhesive. You must make sure that the stone adhesive you use is suitable for exterior cladding work, and moisture resistant.

Our Range of Hygienic Cladding and Adhesives

Building Materials Nationwide offers a wide range of hygienic cladding and PVC cladding adhesives for sale. Through our website you’ll find our own range of Hi-Clad hygienic cladding alongside a selection of Altro Whiterock cladding. We stock all the cladding adhesives you’ll need for fitting, with 2-part adhesives, silicone sealant, and other products. Our full range can be delivered across the UK, and is sold at competitive prices.

We offer trade accounts for our customers in the industry, getting you access to a dedicated account manager, our full product range, and our express delivery options. Sign up for a trade account through our website today.

Shop from our comprehensive hygienic cladding range today.