Garden furniture must withstand outdoor conditions. Use the right adhesives

The good weather is here, the days are longer and warmer and we want to be outside more. As we still have to stay indoors and even after May 15 it doesn't seem a good idea to go out in crowded places, balconies, terraces and personal gardens remain the safest places to enjoy the warm rays of the sun. From DIY stores or online, those interested can buy the furniture they want or the materials to make it so it can be comfortably installed in outdoor spaces. Outdoor furniture made of wood or derived materials must be weatherproof and resistant to the sun's aggressive action, and it is not enough to protect it with varnishes, oils or outdoor paints. The adhesive used in its construction must be specially formulated to withstand outdoor conditions.

Moisture resistance of adhesives

Adhesives are classified according to their chemical nature, the way they act, the reaction time or the strength of the resulting adhesive film. In the case of outdoor wooden furniture, the resistance of the adhesive film to outdoor conditions, in particular humidity, is of great importance, as it is this that endangers it.

In terms of moisture resistance, adhesives, regardless of their nature, are divided into 4 classes of resistance - D1, D2, D3 and D4. Class D1 adhesives are the least moisture resistant, while class D4 is the most resistant. You can find more information about the conditions that an adhesive in a particular category must meet here here.

Wood specific adhesives are the aracite type, i.e. PVA (polyvinyl acrylic) adhesives, but other categories can also be used. But PVA adhesives are so well suited to wood that they are commonly called adhesives for wood, although they can also be used for bonding paper, textiles or other materials. Because in the past they were only used for gluing indoor furniture, there is still reluctance to use them for gluing that has to withstand high humidity. In the meantime, the resins used in their manufacture have been improved and bonding performance has improved. PVA adhesives are now commonly used for gluing bathroom or kitchen furniture, which are environments with high humidity, or outdoors, where in addition to rainfall there is also the aggressive action of the sun.

Adhesives specially formulated to be moisture resistant

Szolvegy is the company that distributes the aracet brand of adhesives TISZABOND. The firm's clients include manufacturers of hivesof solid wood panelsof houses on wooden structures or outdoor furniture. They use the recommended adhesives that are suitable for the use and intended purpose of their products, and so they have satisfied customers.

For products used outdoors, Szolvegy recommends D4 adhesives because of their high water repellency. They can be used for statifying wood, laminating, stairs, windows and doors, bonding paneling and assembling elements used in high humidity environments.

Here are three of the best-selling D4 adhesives:

TISZABOND 1kD4-D 4133 - one-component PVA adhesive. It has improved adhesion to the substrate, making very strong bonds with very elastic film. The elasticity is due to the fact that the adhesive contains no fillers (chalk in general). Phe main characteristic of the adhesive, however, is its moisture resistance. The adhesive film has very good water repellency, with moisture resistance comparable to a D4 adhesive with hardener. Although it is one-component it has a short pressing time, resulting in a solid, firm bond. It is resistant to external conditions and can be used for gluing laminated wood for windows, exterior wooden door panels, garden furniture.

TISZABOND 2kD4 4201 - two-component PVA adhesive. It is a very strong adhesive in humid conditions. It can also be used in construction, provided that one of the glued parts is wood (concrete wooden steps, window sills, etc). The film formed is elastic and very suitable for bonding solid wood, which can have significant dimensional variations with decreases or increases in outside humidity. When gluing hard and dense wood elements with low absorption, the adhesive is applied to both elements. For less dense woods, it is sufficient to apply to only one of the elements. The adhesive is very suitable for window manufacture and the quality certificate received from the Institute for Window Technology in Rosenheim, Germany, is a very strong argument in this respect. However, it is sensitive to contact with metals and can change color.

TISZAPUR D4 4401 Special – One of the few adhesives in the Szolvegy portfolio that is not an aqueous dispersion of polyvinyl acetate (PVA), it is a one-component polyurethane adhesive that reacts with atmospheric moisture (which is why the packaging does not need to be left open when not in use). It is highly resistant to extreme conditions and can be used for gluing outdoor elements to be treated at high temperature and pressure in autoclaves. The reaction is considered completed 7 days after bonding, therefore it is not advisable to autoclave earlier.

How outdoor resistance can be increased

Even if the gluing is well done and the bonding film is strong, there are other causes that can lead to damage to garden furniture. Design elements, the finish used, winter protection, direct exposure to the sun are just some of the causes. Here are some suggestions to help you make the most of your chosen furniture:

• Choose a pattern of elements that are not too close (not glued) to each other. This way water can run off and not puddle on the furniture.
• Opt for simple finishes with no film, oils or lacquers. Oils are most suitable, even if the finish recoats more often. If it's a coated finish and it cracks, water gets underneath and can do more damage than rain falling on the furniture and dripping.
• Choose lightly colored furniture. Pigments prevent the sun from reaching the wood.
• After rain, leave furniture outside in drafty areas to dry. If it's been covered, uncover it and allow condensation or moisture from the rain to wash off.
• If pieces of furniture can be moved, put them out of the winter and cover them with plastic sheeting or covers.
• Your furniture will last longer under a canopy, in a gazebo or pergola, rather than in direct sun or rain.

Let's have a beautiful and peaceful spring to enjoy the warmth of our balconies, terraces or gardens!