Uncategorized

For anyone carrying out insulation work, one of the most important tools is a tape that provides perfect sealing and adhesion. For this reason, we have created ZOOM vapor barrier tape, featuring unique adhesive properties which can bond to a variety of surfaces while the elastic base guarantees optimal tightness.

Single-sided adhesive ZOOM vapor barrier tape is designed to ensure a long-term, completely sealed connection between water vapor insulating materials, as well as with wall and roof structures. Due to its unique adhesive properties, it can be bond with various surfaces – from plywood and chipboards to vapor barrier and sealing films.

ZOOM vapor barrier tape is mostly used in performing various insulation works, such as insulating the facade, internal walls and roof. Craftsmen who already value the properties of ZOOM vapor barrier tape will use it even in places where ventilation pipes are connected.

This vapor barrier tape stands out from similar products, surpassing them in many useful features. ZOOM vapor barrier tape is extremely elastic and can stretch even up to three times its initial position. The tape’s elastic base ensures optimal tightness on various surfaces and overlaps.

The product is also perfectly suitable for both indoor and outdoor use as it is resistant to ultraviolet rays, and the lowest working temperature reaches -20 degrees.

In order to achieve the best results when using ZOOM vapor barrier tape, it is important to prepare properly and follow the instructions for use. Water, dust, grease and any other dirt build-up must be removed from the surfaces which need to be bonded, and all residue from cleaning agents or other auxiliary materials must also be removed with a clean, dry cloth.

If the work is carried out at a lower temperature and in order to obtain the best possible adhesion, the tape should be at room temperature – this way the glue activates effectively. It is also important to comply with the recommended operating temperature, and the tape used must be properly pressed to the bonded surfaces without leaving air gaps. In the case of improper bonding, it is necessary to remove and bond a new tape.

The materials to be bonded must also be properly attached in accordance with the techniques specified in DIN 4108/11. When it is not possible to ensure application without increased stretching of the material, the materials must be additionally reinforced by mechanical means.

ZOOM vapor barrier tape also meets the strict requirements of EnEV (DIN 4108/11) for the permanent sealing of a hermetic vapor barrier sheet.

This product is an excellent choice when looking for professional and top-quality help with insulation or other work. See for yourself how you can achieve the perfect adhesion and tightness!

Water can do a lot of damage to various types of buildings: it may cause an infestation of mould, bad smell or destructive cracks, as well as damaging the finish. However, all these challenges can be resolved through waterproofing. Waterproofing protects buildings against water damage and helps you avoid time-consuming, labour-intensive and costly repairs in the future. Our Product Manager Robertas Matusevičius explains the importance of quality waterproofing and the stages of this process, also listing the main errors and the solutions for rapid, reliable and effective results.

Serious challenges to be expected down the line

Waterproofing buildings, in essence, is preventing later challenges that can be caused by water damage. Therefore, waterproofing must be done properly, conscientiously and at the right time. Otherwise, water may cause irreversible damage to the building. Fixing this damage, R. Matusevičius points out, will be both complicated and costly.

“In areas where water seeps through or moisture accumulates, one should always expect to see certain damage such as mould, bad smell or damage to the finish. Add to this the effect of cold and we end up with cracks that are destructive to the building. Therefore, proper waterproofing is crucial when building a house, as failing to do so will result in defects that will not only present a financial challenge, but also require a lot of time and effort. Suppose water seeps through the basement wall. You would then need to dig out around the outside of the wall and mess up the tidy surroundings. Or if water starts accumulating on, say, a flat roof, it will be very difficult to locate the exact spot of leakage, as roof insulation will have become saturated with moisture. Now, drying that is a tough challenge indeed,” says R. Matusevičius.

Resolving issues like that is a difficult task. However, according to Matusevičius, proper waterproofing prevents these problems from occurring in the first place.

Five-step process

When asked how to ensure proper waterproofing, R. Matusevičius explains that there are multiple ways of doing so. However, with respect to liquid bituminous coating in particular, the process is divided into 5 steps.

“First, you need to prepare the surface. The base surface needs to be dry or lightly damp. You should then clean the surface to make sure it is free of dust or mechanical particles. If it is noticeably uneven or there are cracks, these should be taken care of, too. The second step is priming. For this, you will need a primer that permeates the surface and binds it, ensuring better adhesion and durability of the waterproofing coating. Next, you apply the filler. If there are any small imperfections or cracks, these should be taken care of. Corners, vents and joints must be coated with a bituminous filler, which is viscous and highly elastic. In these areas, the use of a filler reduces the likelihood of cracks appearing as the building moves over time,” says Matusevičius.

The fourth step, according to him, is applying a waterproofing mastic. Usually, two, three or four layers of this coating are applied on the base surface. We recommend applying every new layer crosswise to the earlier one, and if one is working with a flat roof, a polyester fleece should be embedded in the first layer.

“A polyester fleece is used as reinforcement, much like a reinforcement mesh for concrete. I would then recommend applying mineral dry shake hardener on the last layer of the waterproofing coating, which will increase its UV resistance and improve the durability of the roof. Once these steps are completed, you proceed to the last one, which is thermal insulation. For example, if you need to thermally insulate a basement wall after waterproofing, you will need to use PS and XPS insulation boards. These are fixed to the wall using a bituminous glue-mastic. Finally, once the wall is thermally insulated, you apply a special membrane and cover it with soil,” says R. Matusevičius.

Mistakes to avoid

One should not only follow these steps to ensure proper waterproofing, but also take care to avoid the most common mistakes, the expert says. Asked what those mistakes are, R. Matusevičius points out that, first and foremost, people tend to forget to clean the base surface, which then compromises adhesion.

“Another common mistake when waterproofing is the failure to take care of all kinds of cracks and to use a primer. Many are unaware that it should be used, and others try to save money. To give you a parallel: people sometimes fail to use a primer before painting walls, which causes the paint to peel off some three years later. The same goes for waterproofing,” he says.

When waterproofing the foundation walls, one should carefully assess how many layers of the coating are needed, Matusevičius emphasizes. Two layers provide light protection. They protect against moisture and temporary soil saturation when soil permeability is high. The thickness of this waterproofing coating is between 1 and 1.5mm.

“Medium waterproofing, on the other hand, consists of 3 layers. This is the preferred option when soil permeability is not very good, which leads to the accumulation of rainwater in the soil for an extended period of time. Its thickness is between 2 and 3mm. Finally, heavy, 4-layer waterproofing is used when soil permeability is poor, with constant accumulation of rainwater and pore water pressure. The thickness of this waterproofing coating is between 4 and 6mm. There is also another common mistake. Thermal insulation boards should never be attached to the foundation using mushroom-head fasteners. If you drill a hole in the wall to insert a mushroom-head fastener, you compromise the waterproofing coating. When applying a seamless waterproofing coating on the roof, it is important to embed a polyester fleece in it,” says R. Matusevičius.

Offering an innovative solution

We are launching a new waterproofing system in Lithuania’s market, which ensures rapid, high-quality and eco-friendly waterproofing.

This our innovative Fome Flex product line, which lets you complete the work in as quickly as one day. These are water-based emulsion products, which means that they dry quickly, odourless and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The innovative bituminous waterproofing system consists of four products, R. Matusevičius explains.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Primer bituminous primer. It effectively permeates the base surface, binding the dust and other impurities that remain after cleaning. The primer is less viscous than a mastic, which ensures better surface penetration. If a mastic is applied without a primer, its adhesion will always be compromised, and the mastic may even detach from the surface over time. This will likely lead to the accumulation of moisture and cold, which will cause further damage to the waterproofing coating.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Filler bituminous filler. This filler is purposely made to be viscous and highly elastic, which allows it to fill any gaps and even out the imperfections. Using the mastic alone will not be enough to seal any cracks that are wider than 1 or 2mm. The mastic will never be able to completely fill such gaps. This may lead to the accumulation of moisture and cold, which would in turn cause damage to the waterproofing coating. The filler is also essential for sealing various corners and joints (such as chimneys or vents on the roof). In these spots, the likelihood of cracks appearing as the building moves over time is greater. A thicker layer of the filler acts as a buffer here, preventing the cracks in the waterproofing coating.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Mastic bituminous mastic. This is the product that creates the waterproofing coating itself. It is neither too liquid (the primer itself does not provide sufficient protection), nor too viscous (while the filler can, in theory, be used for waterproofing, doing so would slow down the work and increase the costs). The mastic can be applied to large surfaces in a very short time, dries quickly and ensures reliable waterproofing.

FOME FLEX Hydro Defence Glue-Mastic bituminous glue-mastic. In Lithuania, the foundations are usually waterproofed using bituminous-based mastics. Then, PS and XPS thermal insulation boards are often fixed to the wall using polyurethane foam adhesives; however, not every adhesive of this kind ensures good adhesion with the waterproofing layer. This is why the safest option for thermal insulation of the foundations is the bituminous glue-mastic. This product ensures excellent adhesion with both the waterproofing layer and the PS and XPS thermal insulation boards.

“All of these products are safe for the environment, solvent-free, non-flammable and odourless. They can be applied on damp surfaces. These products are also very simple to use: compared with thinner-based solutions, the Fome Flex products are much more liquid, which makes them much easier to apply and distribute evenly. One may use putty knifes, rollers, brushes or air compressors to accomplish this. Also, when all work is done, there is no need to clean the tools with a solvent. If the substance has not yet hardened, you can simply wash it off with water and a sponge; if it has hardened, you can scrape it off with a putty knife. It is important to bear in mind that these products provide a 1.5 to 2.5 greater output by weight and offer UV protection, yet their greatest advantage is the speed of work. The Fome Flex range allows you to complete the waterproofing process – that is, apply the primer, the filler and 2 to 3 layers of the waterproofing coating – within a single day or 6 to 10 hours,” explains R. Matusevičius.

For those looking for a reliable and high-quality sealing of structural and expansion joints in facades, roofs and floor walkways, we have a unique innovation.

This is the new generation of Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM, a professional single component polyurethane sealant and adhesive. This versatile product is perfectly suited for roofing applications and complies with the NFP 85-610 standard, so it can be used for clay tiles, as well as for the bonding of panels, window sills, doorsteps and filters. Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM also seals welded joints, glass constructions, lacquered surfaces and dampens noise in wagon formations. It can be used on metal or porcelain joints, steel, stainless steel, plastic, painted wood, concrete and brick.

Here are our experts tp explain more of its features:

Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM is a new generation of HM ( high modulus) single component, polyurethane sealant and adhesive. Specifically designed as a multi-purpose sealant, its unique properties are unmatched by other products of its type and purpose on the market.

One of the main advantages is bubble-free curing. The sealant can be applied to wet surfaces and left to dry in the sun. Its innovative GEL technology is also unique, allowing for a convenient, even and easy application of the product.

This new generation sealant has a pleasant almond scent rather than the typical pungent acetone smell. It also contains a reduced content of isocyanates, making it healthy and environmentally  friendly.

This sealant is also suitable for wider joints than conventional similar sealants. While comparable products have a maximum seam width of up to 35 mm, Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM allows the product to be used for seams almost twice as long, up to 60 mm. The sealant is also permanently elastic, maintaining 25% seam flexibility and 500% tear strength.

As well as offering a wide range of advantages, the product also really easy to use. Follow our expert recommendations to unlock the full potential of your sealant.

First, clean and degrease the surfaces. Then cut off the tip of the cartridge top and screw on the nozzle included in the kit. Next, insert the cartridge or the 600 ml foil pack into the gun and fill the nozzle with the sealant by squeezing the trigger of the gun several times.

The seam depth/width ratio for seams up to 10 mm is 1:1. Minimum width and depth is 5 mm. For joints wider than 10 mm, the formula is simple: depth is width divided by 3 plus 6 mm.

Deeper joints require the use of a sealing gasket, while wider joints should be coated in triplicate, covering both sides followed by the bottom of the joint. It is also important to note that once the sealant has been applied, you must smooth the surface of the silicone with a rubber scraper and remove any excess.

With these expert recommendations, this premium innovative PU sealant and adhesive can be used safely and reliably for high quality results. We invite you to find out for yourself and make your next construction task hassle-free.

A waterproofing system product line that surpasses competitors: how did FOME FLEX HydroProtect earn the craftsmen trust?

If you need waterproofing works done before tiling in different rooms, home improvement professionals have a wide selection of products on the market for this need. However, craftsmen often complain about the poor elasticity of the products and the high price, which does not justify the quality. Tegra State noticed such trends and therefore decided to offer the market a slightly thicker membrane with a higher concentration of materials, which is closer to paste consistency. It is the product line of FOME FLEX HydroProtect waterproofing system. It offers a full range of quality, professional, and reliable products used before ceramic tiling works.

FOME FLEX HydroProtect is intended for craftsmen who want to perform waterproofing work in the bathroom, kitchen, laundries, sanitary, and other rooms before laying ceramic tiles. This product line is also suitable for heated floor designs. The range of the offered waterproofing system is very wide, so craftsmen can choose a comprehensive solution. The FOME FLEX HydroProtect system consists of a special primer, membrane, tape, corners, and sleeves.

The most important component of the FOME FLEX waterproofing system – the membrane – has excellent adhesion to substrate. It is elastic, quick drying, easy to apply, ready to use, and protects rooms from fungus and mold. After applying the product to the surfaces, the latter are also protected from the harmful effects of oils and fats. In addition, this membrane is one-component, fiber-reinforced, environmentally friendly, i.e. without solvents and plasticizers.

It is also important that both the FOME FLEX HydroProtect membrane and the FOME FLEX HydroProtect primer adhere reliably to the most common surfaces used for finishing works. These products can be applied on OSB, cement particle, gypsum fiber, and plasterboard panels, plaster, porous and plain concrete, masonry, stone, and screeds. FOME FLEX HydroProtect primer is also special. It contains additives that improve adhesion to the waterproofing membrane, and the product itself creates a light protection against moisture, is quick-drying, deeply penetrating and easy to apply.

FOME FLEX HydroProtect tape, corners, and sleeves are also unique. The products are strong, withstand water pressure of up to 3 bar. They’re also extremely elastic, with the tape alone having an elasticity of 106 percent transversely and 168 percent longitudinally.

FOME FLEX HydroProtect tape, corners and sleeves are designed to provide additional reinforcement in places where deformational tearing is possible. At the same time, they are used in the joints of floors, walls, and ceilings, for internal and external corners, and in places where pipes pass through.

Therefore, in order to carry out comprehensive and complete waterproofing of for example bathroom before tiling, FOME FLEX HydroProtect products will be completely enough for professional, high-quality, and smooth work of craftsmen. But what makes these products better than their counterparts on the market?

During the observation of the competitors and after analyzing the products, we noticed that home finish craftsmen are often disappointed by the low elasticity and high price, which does not justify the quality. Very often products equivalent to FOME FLEX HydroProtect are quite liquid. They contain a lot of water and the recommended application of two coats result in a rather thin final thickness of the membrane.

During the creation of the products of the FOME FLEX HydroProtect system, it was decided to make the membrane a little thicker. It has a higher concentration of waterproofing materials, so the consistency of the membrane is closer to that of a paste. These products are unique in that, once the water has evaporated, they will be able to create a truly solid and elasitc final membrane thickness of two layers. However, this does not affect the work. The membrane is easy to apply, can be worked with both a brush and a roller brush, and the product has a really high area coverage.

Therefore, FOME FLEX HydroProtect surpassed its counterparts on the market and earned the trust of home finish professionals. These products, characterized by their unique advantages, are called today a reliable, high-quality, and effective choice for all craftsmen.

The higher the yield and the extremely fast setting. These are one of the most important requirements that are placed on installation foams by the construction professionals. However, not all products on the market can offer these benefits that are relevant to every master. That is the reason, why we made sure that the installation of windows and doors and the sealing of any cavity in construction is fast, smooth and of high-quality, at the same time ensuring high thermal and acoustic insulation. The innovative solution is the polyurethane installation foam of new generation “FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L”, which is the fastest-setting foam on the market and has an extremely high yield.

The polyurethane installation foam “FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L” is a truly unique product of new generation. It has a free blowing yield of around 75 litres. This cannot be offered by similar products on the market.

The most common volume of high-yield foam from other manufacturers is up to 65 litres. However, even this is achieved through extremely high secondary expansion of up to 100%. This means that the inflatable seam doubles in size, hindering correct placement of the seam, as you need to anticipate how much space you need to leave for it. Otherwise, the expanded foam will over-expand and damage the structure due to expansion pressure.

“FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L” is a completely different solution. This product has only 30% secondary expansion, but still a higher yield. This makes it easier to form the seam, the foam does not break the door or window structure and the foam is accurately deflated. The product is also resistant to mould and mildew, high and low temperatures – it can be used from -60°C to +100°C. The ambient temperature ranges from -0°C to +35°C and can be used in rain or snow.

This foam has a dense and homogeneous structure, which provides excellent thermal and acoustic insulation performance. It has a thermal conductivity of 0,036 W/(m*K) and a sound reduction index of 63 dB.

The product is also unique because of its extremely fast setting, which allows a faster completion of works. The cutting time for this foam is 10 minutes, compared to 30-40 minutes for similar products. Importantly, “FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L” has a final set time of only 1.5 hours. In contrast, other foams on the market have a setting time of around half a day.

These features of “FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L” make it possible to cut away unnecessary residues, cover foam joints, plaster, paint and do other necessary works faster. The product therefore has a wide range of applications. The foam is ideal for sealing windows and doors, for high thermal and acoustic insulation of pipes, and for filling cracks, splits, cavities and gaps. Likewise, it is suitable for sealing joints in roofs, walls and floors, and for all window and door installation works.

The use of this product is easy and standardised – like other polyurethane foams for installation and sealing. The work surface must be thoroughly cleaned and moistened. Shake the bottle vigorously and screw the gun on. Then turn the vial upside down. To adjust the flow rate of the installation foam spray, you will need to turn the valve at the end of the pistol grip. Then fill the cavity with foam.

If the foam is used at low temperatures, the vial must be warmed up to +18C by placing it in warm water or in a warm room. Residues of undried foam are best cleaned with “Foam Cleaner Fome Flex”. It is advisable to remove hardened foam mechanically.

That’s it. Take advantage of the unique benefits of “FOME FLEX ULTRA FAST 75L” and try a product that is recognised and appreciated by construction professionals around the world.  We will make sure that every work for which this product is designed is fast, high-quality and smooth.

Repair professionals require a number of specifications for the foam used to seal the gaps between the door or window frame and the building wall. They are concerned with the product’s secondary expansion, its elastic force, elasticity, coefficient of thermal conductivity, rate of cure and, of course, the product’s yield. Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM, a single-component polyurethane installation that combines the best of all these features. It is a unique product for professional sealing of windows and doors and provides the best thermal and acoustic insulation.

The market offers a wide range of options for window and door sealing professionals looking for a modern, high-quality, and reliable product for their work. However, Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM, a single-component polyurethane installation foam, outperforms its competitors in every respect.

In particular, the product’s permanent flexibility and lowest thermal conductivity of just 0.030W/mK ensure sustainability and excellent thermal insulation. In addition, the foam seam can withstand up to 25% displacement, making the product perfect for moving structures.

Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM also has a high Noise Reduction Index, which reduces the sound level to 63 dB. This figure is one of the best in the market. Regular foam reduces the sound level to 58–60 dB.

This foam also has a particularly low secondary expansion without the need for force to be applied to window and door frames. Certified product testing protocols confirm this. Note that the product also polymerises very quickly. The foam can be cut in as little as 25 minutes without damaging its structure and maintaining the best seam properties. This uniqueness of the Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM considerably speeds up and simplifies the craftsman’s work.

The product seals windows and doors without being weather-dependent. With an ambient temperature range of -5°C to +35°C, it works in rain or snow, so work doesn’t have to stop even in the coldest months.

These advantages are not the only relevant ones. With the rapid rise in the cost of building materials, many people are looking for a product with the highest possible yield. And the Fome Flex has a great one. The yield of this installation foam allows you to produce up to 40 metres of seams per bottle, enough for 7 standard doors.

Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM is an environmentally friendly product that is completely harmless to human health. It meets the requirements of the A+ French VOC Regulation and the Emicode EC1 Plus certificates.

The product is also standardised and easy to use with its many benefits. The foam canister must be shaken vigorously, and then the gun must be screwed on. Next, thoroughly clean and wet the work surface and turn the canister upside down with the valve. To adjust the flow rate of the installation foam spray, turn the valve at the end of the gun handle. Then, fill the cavity with foam.

If the product is used at low temperatures, the canister must be warmed to +18°C by placing it in a warm room or immersing it in warm water. The best way to clean any undried foam residues is with the Fome Flex Foam Cleaner. Hardened foam must be removed mechanically.

Using these instructions and utilising the best properties of Fome Flex 7 DOORS WINDOWS ELASTIC PISTOL FOAM, the sealing of windows and doors will be done perfectly. This is the quality guarantee that Tegra State’s single-component polyurethane installation foam provides to professionals worldwide.

This single-component polyurethane installation foam guarantees high quality and matches  requirements  of professionals worldwide.