Which Cartridge Glue is the Best?

Fabrication professionals and do-it-yourself specialists alike are continuously looking for the "best" adhesive products to use for their projects. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which cartridge glue product is the best one to use for a given job. What characteristics contribute to qualifying a given cartridge adhesive as the best? Is there really a best adhesive available? What difference does it make if I do not use the "best" cartridge? In this article, we will consider each of those questions and more.

"Best" is a Relative Term

We all do it. When we are searching for a product to perform a specific task, we ask the question, "what is the best...?" We do this because we want a product that will meet our needs to the proper degree.

Often times though, finding the best of something requires context. This is because "best" is relative to the task at hand. Additionally, there are other factors that affect whether an item qualifies to be the "best". That is why there are so many options in the first place.

The Best Can Be a Sticky Situation

For example, if you asked someone to go to the store and pick up some tape because you were wrapping a present, they could bring you tape that simply was not acceptable to you. Think of all the kinds of "tape" that you might reject:

• Duct Tape
• Masking Tape
• Painters Tape
• Electrical Tape
• Double-sided Tape

Cartridge Glue Performance Varies

Even though we are talking about another kind of adhesive, the same its true of glue in general; and by extension, cartridge glue. Not all glue is equal in any given context. There are adhesives designed specifically for natural stone. There are others for engineered stone. And still other kinds of glue are the best for use in specific environments. For example, there are glues made to perform well outdoors and in a variety of temperatures.

Why are there so many kinds of glue? Because each material is different. Since this is true, bonding it requires different adhesive. Some materials are more porous than others are, some expand and contract with changing temperatures, and some materials can be installed in the sunlight, which can affect adhesives of certain kinds.

Since there are so many different kinds of material and no single glue can do everything, it stands to reason that the best cartridge glue would be measured based on various characteristics. Let's look at some things that contribute to whether a given adhesive could be viewed as the best cartridge glue.

Does Color Matching Make it the Best?

If you have been browsing the Internet in search of which cartridge glue is the best one, you likely have come across brands that boast of having hundreds or even thousands of colors of cartridge glue. In fact, we have a lengthy list of cartridge glue colors that are designed to match particular materials from a variety of stone producers and manufacturers. One example of this is our Glaxs cartridge glue for ceramic and porcelain materials. Dozens of colors are available for use with all sorts of porcelain and ceramic materials.

Of course, there is much more to consider than just choosing a bonding agent that offers the most colors. The way it performs also contributes to its value. So, what kinds of things go into determining if a particular cartridge adhesive is the best?

What Defines "Best"?

You may have already concluded some of the specific things that contribute to the definition of the word "best" as it relates to cartridge glue. We have already briefly mentioned some things that show how different materials may call for different glue. But, what about the criteria for deciding which glue is the best for a particular job? What should be considered if you are trying to select which cartridge adhesive to use on your project?

There are many things to take into consideration before shelling out the bucks for a cartridge glue to use on your project. Here is a list (not exhaustive) of 5 things to think about when deciding on a cartridge glue:

1. What material are you gluing?
2. Will the bond be vertical or horizontal and is the glue designed for this type of bonding?
3. Does the adhesive need to be somewhat flexible to allow for expansion and contraction?
4. Will the glue match (if it needs to) the material?
5. Can the adhesive hold its bond in the temperature and environment in which it will be installed?

These types of questions, along with others, will help you to accurately determine the value of the cartridge glue you are trying to find. Once you have found some options that meet your job requirements, you can begin deciding what you are willing to pay for the product.

What is the Best Price for Cartridge Glue?

Simply put, the best price for cartridge glue is measured in different ways. One person may decide that the best price is the lowest one that they pay for a given cartridge. Yet, that is not all there is to it.

If you take into consideration how much product is in the cartridge, the amount of waste produced, the cost per linear foot of coverage, the bonding strength, and the versatility, you may find that the price you pay for the cartridge is not as low as it first appears. So, be sure that you assess the various aspects of each adhesive before you select one for your project.

Is the Best Cartridge Glue Multipurpose?

In the list of things to consider above, you may have noticed the recommendation to consider the versatility of the glue. This is important because there are some cartridge adhesives that are designed to bond various materials effectively. Let's consider one of these that you will find right here on CartridgeGlue.com.

Multibond is a cartridge adhesive for gluing multiple materials. The characteristics of Multibond are what make it a versatile cartridge glue and it can be used for bonding the following material types:

• Granite
• Quartzite
• Marble
• Limestone
• Travertine
• Natural Stone
• Engineered Stone

As you can see, there are cartridge adhesives that can be used for multiple surfaces. If, for example, you are a fabricator and your shop fabricates multiple materials that are almost exactly the same color, you can see the potential savings of using a multipurpose cartridge glue such as Multibond.

Non-traditional Engineered Surfaces

Even though there are savings to be had using a multipurpose glue, that does not mean that it is always the best adhesive to use. Let's quickly look at some specific materials that really are not like materials that fall into the two most common types of stone; namely natural and engineered stone.

What is the Best Cartridge Glue for Dekton?

One of the new materials emerging on the scene is DEKTON® by Cosentino. This material is categorized as an ultracompact surface. It is designed for use in a variety of environemnts and is very durable. You can learn more about DEKTON® on the Internet. Because Dekton is so durable, the adhesive needed for it must have very specific characteristics. Mastidek is a glue for Dekton that is made to work in the multiple environments in which Dekton can be installed.

StrongBond Lapitec Glue Cartridges

When talking about alternative, non-traditional surface materials, Lapitec fits right into the conversation. What is Lapitec? It is a form of sintered stone that can be used in a number of situations. This material is another surface that requires a particular kind of bonding adhesive.

For bonding Lapitec, selecting a cartridge glue designed for sintered stone is not necessarily enough by itself. For use with Lapitec, you will likely want to select a cartridge adhesive that is color matched to coordinate with the colors of the Lapitec surfaces.

As you have seen, there really is no one factor to which one can point and say, "this is what makes this cartridge glue the best". Instead, what you must look at are a variety of factors that will determine which cartridge adhesive is the best for a given project using a specific material in a certain environment. Only then can the best cartridge glue be chosen. Here on CartridgeGlue.com we offer various types of glue cartridges for an array projects. If you have questions or would like more information, feel free to contact us.