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Learn how selecting the right bonding solution can help construction manufacturers in the prefabricated market overcome common challenges such as high stress during transit, expansion and contraction upon installation, and long-term durability needs.

As a construction manufacturer in the prefabricated market, you know the importance of providing building structures that address all necessary performance demands. However, there are three common challenges to consider whether you’re producing windows and doors, wall assemblies or modules: 
  • High stress during transit  
  • Expansion and contraction upon installation  
  • Long-term flexibility and durability needs   
Learn how choosing the right bonding solution for your prefabricated construction applications can help you address these key challenges.  

Challenge #1: Transit  

After leaving your facility, finished products are exposed to high stress during transit to the jobsite. The bonding solutions in your end-use project must withstand:  
 
  • Roadway speeds and turns – Shifting of assemblies during transit from high speeds or sharp turns can cause breaks or cracks to the adhesive.  
  • Environmental exposure – Potential exposure to wind, UV, moisture or extreme temperatures for extended time can also impact the bonding strength. 
  • Exhaust fumes – The products’ bond durability may decrease due to chemical changes from exhaust fumes from other traffic, causing flexibility and strength to degrade.  
With so many factors to consider while the end-use application is in transit, it can be challenging to determine what solutions can address everything at once.  
  

Challenge #2: Installation  

When installing prefabricated construction applications, it can be challenging to account for expansion and contraction when joining or sealing dissimilar materials. The final installed assembly needs to offer the same high-performance capabilities in the field that have been proven on the production line in the factory. If your bonding solution does not allow the end-use assembly to account for expansion and contraction, it may not properly fit once installed. This could lead to buckling or cracked joints, resulting in added costs to purchase a new product.    

Challenge #3: Lifespan  

Once installed, prefabricated construction applications typically are expected to withstand years or decades of everyday usage. This means the bonding solution must offer:  
  • Long-term durability to hold the end-use assembly in place, no matter how long it’s used or environmental factors it endures. 
  • Flexible movement to withstand weight or vibration that can add stress to bonding joints and sealed surfaces after installation.     
It can be difficult to find a solution that will maintain bonding strength over a long period to protect the application. 

How the Right Bonding Solution Addresses Key Challenges 

Transit Challenges  
 
The right bonding solution can provide both high strength and leverage for movement to ensure the end-use application arrives to the job site the way it left your facility. This is due to its: 
 
  • Flexibility capabilities: The right bonding solution can seal parts of the end-use assembly, allowing it to shift during transit without breaking or cracking.  
  • Strong weatherability: Formulations that are vapor permeable and contain light stabilizers protect the product from UV discoloration, extreme temperature and water exposure the assembly may endure, allowing it to be exposed to various elements for long periods of time. 
  • High strength: Elastomer qualities offer strong chemical resistance from transmission fumes as well as flexibility while on the roadway. 
Installation Challenges 
 
By providing thermal stability with high solid content formulations, the right bonding technology will not shrink over time, making it ideal for various temperature regions by eliminating the risk of expanding and contracting. Additionally, solutions with wide service temperature ranges between -50°F (-45°C) and 250°F (121°C) can easily perform in different production environments and equipment options.  
 
Lifespan Challenges 
 
Similar to the features that address transit challenges, the right bonding solution will provide structural strength to enable longevity in the end-use application, possessing:  
 
  • Vapor permeability: The right bonding solution will allow moisture vapor through to dry out the assembly while also blocking liquid water ingress near openings and seams. This provides the necessary durability required to protect an application from problems that could require expensive repairs such as mold.  
  • Vibrational protection: A bonding technology formulated with elastomers will provide flexibility to handle vibration, helping reduce repair needs over time. This can further help decrease outside noise, enhancing overall comfortability within the home or building.  
  

Additional Considerations 

 
In addition to addressing the three key challenges, it’s a good idea to ensure your selection doesn’t impact production processes. The right bonding technology can also help you: 
 
Speed up production: Choosing solutions with high green strength will help you reach full bond strength quickly so you don’t have to manage long wait times to move production along. Some of our bonding solutions also do not require primers, reducing steps in your overall processes. Additionally, when you’re able to rely on one bonding solution for all your needs, you will reduce any change-out time needed when switching from one bonding or sealing product to another and therefore increase operations.  

Reduce costs: The right bonding solution will provide long-term, high-strength performance that doesn’t require repairs on the jobsite. This allows you to easily calculate accurate costs at your facility upfront, rather than account for repair costs later on a job site. Further, you can find a bonding technology that is compatible with your current equipment, eliminating the need for a large investment. 
 
Additionally, no matter the bonding solution it is important to make sure your substrate is dust-free before applying the bonding solution. This will ensure it properly adheres and provides the full performance, helping you decrease downtime for repairs.  

How Bostik Can Address Key Challenges in Prefabricated Construction  

Bostik’s adhesive and sealant portfolio provides durable, high-performing options that can protect your end-use applications from moisture, temperatures, vibration and more. 
 
Silyl Modified Polymer (SMP) Products: Combining the benefits of both polyurethane and silicone to form a moisture-curing, primerless seal, this solution includes formulations that are vapor permeability and contain light stabilizers to protect the product from UV discoloration, extreme service temperatures and water exposure during transit or installation.   
 
True Butyl Products: Composed of butyl rubber, polyisobutylene and engineered filters, this technology has little to no VOCs. Its elastomer qualities create a waterproof seal and offer strong chemical, weather and ozone resistance.   
  
Construction Tape Adhesives: Our tape ahesives, which are produced for private labeling, are based on butyl and styrenic block copolymer hot melt pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) technologies, offering strong adhesion to low surface energy substrates as well as temperature and aging resistance.  
   
Additionally, we understand your bonding solution challenges may differ according to your specific prefabricated application needs. From acquiring the right components to help you manufacture a final product, to a finished adhesive or sealant, Bostik has the portfolio and technical expertise to help.  
  • Customized formulations: Our team will work with you to ensure the bonding solution is best suited for your existing manufacturing equipment while offering high performance for your end-use product.  
  • Private label abilities: Work with us to package high-performing solutions with your business label, enabling you to offer high-demand products to your market.  
  • Innovative solutions: Integrate advanced technologies such as butyl or silyl modified polymer into your manufacturing that bridge market gaps between you and installers.     

How Bostik Helps You Achieve Sustainability   
  

Many of our bonding solutions are formulated with low to zero solvents or VOCs, reducing the amount of harmful chemicals released during production in your facility to protect workers. Additionally, this eliminates the need for worker training to handle these substances. Our primerless products also create less facility waste, reduce error likelihood and simplify your overall processes.  

 
Ready to find the right bonding solution to address challenges with your prefabricated construction manufacturing? Contact a Bostik expert to learn how our portfolio can help you. 

Learn More
 
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All information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, is provided “as-is” and is subject to change without notice. To review our full U.S. Legal Disclaimer, visit: https://bostik.com/us/en_US/privacy-policy/legal-disclaimer

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