Glue down vinyl plank glue options

[nmantas]

My buddy is giving me a sweet deal on enough commercial Armstrong planks to do my basement. Armstrong, of course, recommends their glue (S-288, S-240, S-310, S-980, or S-1000). Since Armstrong is out of business their glue is hard to get....and pricey. Does anyone recommend a substitute like the Henry/Roberts line at the big box stores or should I pony up hundreds of dollars for the Armstrong glue? Product brochure attached (ignore the green highlighting).

 

[The Cobbler]

you will void any warranty by not using their glue. I didn't realize Armstrong is out of business. Roberts has a line of premium LVT glue. don't recall the number now. . we always spread it a little heavier and didn't let it flash as long as instructions said . it bonded better . sometimes with the recomended specs we had planks lift a bit

 

[RPH]

Out of business? Warranty went with the business and it’s out. Get some adhesive that is comparable. Try a couple test pieces on a piece of wood or stone. Verify that the adhesive doesn’t react with the product and actually works.

 

[nolimits76]

It appears AHF is the new parent company. Select lines will be shutdown while others will continue to exist. It appears the LVT on the product page you shared is part of their Natural Creations line which is slated to continue.

Sounds like your warranty will likely be worthless and should be factored into your buy price. Effectively AHF is stating any product not manufactured by them either before or after July 2022 (date of takeover) is defunct of warranty. While odds are slim it’s still worth double checking to see if the lots sold to you may have fallen under AHF manufacturing (yet labeled Armstrong).

Getting to adhesive, I would contact AHF, explain the situation and ask what they recommend.

Armstrong Flooring Bankruptcy and Acquisition by AHF Products – What Buyers Need to Know - Continental Flooring Company

There has been plenty of buzz around the floor covering industry about the bankruptcy of Armstrong Flooring and the acquisition of some of Armstrong’s assets by AHF Products. We have been asked a lot about products that may have been dropped and how things look going forward. We would like to...

www.continentalflooring.com

 

[mike93lx]

Getting to adhesive, I would contact AHF, explain the situation and ask what they recommend.

Would you really expect them to offer a recommendation that isn't their own product?

 

[nolimits76]

Would you really expect them to offer a recommendation that isn't their own product?

I don't have any special inside information. From what I've read, AHF intends to keep select product lines and can still utilize the Armstrong name. Sweet deal for them. The real "magic" is how they side stepped the liability associated with honoring existing warranties. That had to burn some relationships and torque quite a few people.

Reading further, it appears AHF has been buying up quite a few other popular brands as well.

I'm not really sure if the right to continue manufacturing and selling the various associated adhesives were part of these deals or not. So while it seems logical they would say "use Armstrong product X, Y or Z" I think it's completely plausible they streamline and instead say "you can use previously recommended Armstrong products (if available), and if not then utilize AHF adhesives A, B or C".

If they do the latter, this may open up some additional options for the OP that I hope is more budget friendly.

Sadly, the Armstrong adhesive pricing is likely suffering from an influx of rightfully concerned & also over-reacting consumers that is creating an artificially inflated demand of product that is stronger than the current supply, which is driving prices upwards.

 

[duneslider]

Henry 647 should work just fine and should be available at a local HD or Lowes. Warrantees are only as good at the company offering it and in this case worthless.
Just follow the directions on the bucket and you will be good. I generally recommend not spreading too much out at a time since you are new to this. Too much open time creates issues with bonding.

The problem I see when people try to spread it thicker and not let it flash long enough is glue coming up between joints which can be a pain/mess. However, an old trowel or a slightly dirty one that isn't spreading the correct amount and too much open time also leads to bonding issues. I buy a new trowel for nearly every job (depending on size of job) and clean the trowel really well while waiting for glue to flash. Rarely is the glue the problem...

 

[nmantas]

Right now I'm finding an installer, as the floor needs to be skim coated after asbestos abatement grinding and that doesn't sound fun. I just wanted to make sure I shouldn't buy the Armstrong glue and have him use my glue or just let him use what he is comfortable with.

I do have a guy locally selling 20 one gallon buckets of Roberts 7399 and 7350 for at least half off but I know nothing about the glues as I know they all have different application methods and different strengths and weaknesses. I know 7399 pushes the moisture resistance which whatever glue I get I do want it to have high moisture resistance just in case I get a little water that comes up through the floor drains (basement).

 

[mike93lx]

Let the installer spec it, IMO

 

[nmantas]

Let the installer spec it, IMO

I'm with you too but wanted to make sure no one was going to say the Armstrong was going to be far superior and that I should order it since it is no longer found locally.

 

[Armorpoxy]

Armorpoxy has a large qty of commercial grade Henry epoxy adhesive we can make you a great deal on due to a cancelled cusotmer order. Contact us directly at below, not PM please. Ask for Arthur.