Adhesives & Sealants Every Tradie Should Keep in the Toolbox

Adhesives & Sealants Every Tradie Should Keep in the Toolbox 

Popular Adhesives & Sealants for the Trade 

Whether you’re cladding a façade, fixing skirting, laying floors or sealing expansion joints, having the right adhesive or sealant makes all the difference. The products below are the popular choices for Australian trades — versatile, tough, and built for real-world conditions onsite. Here’s a quick rundown of the essentials every tradie should have in their toolbox. 

Sikaflex 

Sikaflex is a versatile polyurethane-based adhesive and sealant and can be used in pretty much any situation. 

Applications: Typically used externally when bonding two different materials like concrete, masonry, or cladding junctions that need flexibility and strength. 

Advantages: 

• Unlike silicon, Sikaflex is paintable 

• Flexible and durable, allowing movement without cracking 

• Weather and UV resistant, ideal for external applications and long-term exposure 

• Strong adhesion to various substrates such as concrete, brick, timber, aluminium, and more 

• Waterproof sealant for wet areas and exterior gaps. 

Top tip: It is also effective for sealing around penetrations that require painting and some waterproofing scenarios. 

Liquid Nails 

Liquid Nails is a brand of construction adhesive known for its fast grab and reliable bond. 

Applications: It is used primarily for bonding timber on timber such as timber joists to particleboard flooring.  

Advantages: 

• Strong Initial Grab, reducing the need for clamps or fasteners 

• Versatile and suitable for timber, metal, concrete and ceramics 

• Thick consistency allows for bonding uneven surfaces and filling small gaps 

• Interior and exterior Use 

• Available in weather-resistant formulations for outdoor jobs. 

Top tip: Liquid Nails can also be used as a part of the fixing process of skirting to masonry or plasterboard in conjunction with fixings. 

Ultraset 

Ultraset is a high-strength adhesive suitable for heavy-duty applications. 

Applications: It is typically used as a flooring adhesive for hardwood and engineered timber flooring. When it dries, it has a rubbery texture which helps eliminate the possibility of squeaks.   

Advantages: 

• Allows for natural timber movement  

• Low VOC and solvent-free  

• Moisture resistant  

• Superior acoustic and vibration dampening  

• Ideal for multi-residential or commercial flooring projects. 

Top tip: It can be used in some circumstances in the place of liquid nails where you may require a better bond, such as internal wall linings. 

PVA 

PVA is a timber wood glue with options for both external and internal applications. 

Applications: PVA is commonly used in second fix carpentry usually on mitre joints for skirting and architraves. Typically, only used to bond the same type of timber together.  

Advantages: 

• Fast-drying for quick turnaround onsite  

• Non-toxic and easy to clean 

• Strong bond on porous surfaces 

• Cost-effective and readily available 

• Suitable for general bonding tasks 

• Easily cleaned with damp cloth unlike the other glues. 

Top tip: It can be used to repair splits or cracks in timber. Just pour into the crack, clamp tight, and once it’s dry, the bond is stronger than the original. 

Bowens Adhesives & Sealants Range 

When it comes to adhesives and sealants, no single product does it all, but with these four in your toolbox, you’re covered for just about every fix, fit or finish onsite. Explore Bowens wide range of adhesives and sealants online or at your local Bowens store today.