Underlayment, Moisture/Vapor Control

Bostik Inc.'s Vapor-Lock is a one-part, trowel-applied urethane adhesive that doubles as a vapor-retarding membrane. It works with the gamut of glue-down wood flooring products, as well as tile, marble and stone inlays. Bostik says it is virtually odorless and containz zero VOCs.

Chemque’s Fortane MVS Ultra Moisture Vapor & Acoustical Urethane Membrane reduces moisture vapor transmission to extremely low levels and provides enhanced acoustical properties, the company says, adding that it has excellent flow and self-leveling properties, outstanding elasticity, can bridge cracks up to 1⁄8 inch and is VOC-compliant. It is compatible with Fortane and Fortane LD.

Fortifiber manufactures vapor retarder membranes, including the economical HWD-15 and high-performance Aquabar “B,” for use over wood subfloors. Moistop Ultra, an impermeable moisture barrier, is Fortifiber’s best choice for eliminating moisture migration in crawlspaces and over concrete subfloors, the company says.

MAPEI Corp.'s Ultrabond Eco 985 is a premium single-component, hybrid-polymer-based wood flooring adhesive; it is 100-percent-solids, isocyanate-free and easy to clean up. MAPEI says Ultrabond Eco 985 provides both a strong bond and excellent sound reduction properties, while also protecting wood flooring from moisture vapor emissions coming through concrete slabs.

MP Global Products’ QuietWalk increases absorbency and dissipation of moisture. The floating wood and laminate floor underlayment includes a polymer that improves moisture carrying capacity. Its QuietWarmth is an energy-efficient heating element attached to a roll-out recycled fiber padding that serves as an insulator of the slab below.

RB Silent Tread XL, an acoustical underlayment with vapor barrier, is designed to reduce room-to-room ambient noise. Easy and fast to install, RB Silent Tread XL lies flat to reduce minor subfloor imperfections. It can be used with most floor constructions—concrete or wood—for laminate, hardwood, engineered wood and tile flooring.

UFloor Systems offers Uzin PE 480, a two-component, roller-applied epoxy moisture barrier for the installation of all floor coverings. A water- and solvent-free compound, Uzin PE 480 completely eliminates moisture and vapor transmissions from concrete slab substrates, the company says. The product acts as a restriction-free, damp-proofing barrier against extremely high moisture levels.

Meta-Tec MS-Plus Advance Wood Flooring Adhesive is one of W.F. Taylor’s newest products. It is a 100 percent solids, modified-silane polymer. The adhesive offers concrete moisture inhibition and sound-deadening properties in a single-coat application. Installers now have an install window of up to 70 minutes. The adhesive comes in 4-gallon pails.