I have a client for whom I am building a shed that needs to withstand long use. I want to laminate rolled aluminum like this:
over OSB (oriented strand board) to make a weather and vermin proof exterior.
Any adhesive experts want to give me some idea how to approach this? Something I could spray would be ideal!
Thanks.
Polyurethane adhesive is pretty good - very waterproof in a situation like this - and it foams a little, which will help to fill the slightly uneven surface of the OSB, however, the foaming action can also force the glued components apart - so it would work best if you were able to apply the metal to the boards a whole sheet at a time - and press it (between weighted boards) while it cures.
Not an adhesive expert but I think long term the thermal expansion differences will make such a bond fail regardless of product.
My first guess would be the adhesive used for Formica on counter tops. It can be sprayed or rolled on. It is or is like rubber cement in that it remains somewhat flexible after setting, which might help with the expansion.
This is a very good point - wouldn’t be such an issue on small sections, or for an item of indoor furniture, but if this is whole 8x4 boards (or bigger), and outdoors, the metal is likely to buckle and/or delaminate.
I suspect an adhesive good enough for this job would be pretty pricey, especially considering how much it would take to do a shed. The fancier adhesive can easily run well over a hundred dollars a gallon.
Why not just pop rivet the seams? Or on top of each seam lay a strip of wood that weathers well outdoors (like cedar) and drive some screws though it. Might even make the shed look a little more attractive too. Of course with these two methods you’d probably want to throw some silicion on at the seam areas to keep out water. And you do need to make sure water can’t get IN anywhere because its going to darn hard for it get OUT once it gets in.
I think that’s usually contact cement, which is available in gallon cans. But you can already buy plywood sheathing with an aluminum foil layer, so would that work better?
Here you go.
This is good stuff that bonds well to aluminum. Its about a 135 dollars a gallon. If you just glued the aluminum seams and the only the area along the seams to the wood you might be able to get by without using too costly an amount of this stuff. Remember, you really need to prep the metal right for this to work. And I’d still throw in a handful of rivets.
Least its cheaper than the 400 dollar version. As my grandmother would say, they sure are proud of their adhesive.
This to That recommends contact cement for that large of an area.
My first guess was to go withPL polyurethane adhesive, troweling it onto the wood and running a roller over the aluminum to spread, but the contact cement might be easier to manage.
How big is the largest panel you’re planning to laminate?
I think we should do some calculations on coefficients of expansion across a likely range of operating temperatures.
You seem to know what you’re doing, but I’m curious why siding of some kind isn’t appropriate for the shed.
It’s quite common to use vinyl, aluminum or wood siding for shed applications and you wouldn’t have the potential buckling problems mentioned upthread.
Good question.
Besides aluminum/OSB, have you thought about using Hardipanel? The stuff lasts, and while rats can chew through cement, they can also chew through aluminum.
4’ x 8’
I’d recommend against using glue at all. Thermal expansion will cause seperation or warping. Just attach the aluminum using stainless steel screws in slightly oversized holes, and a soft poly washer to seal it. A dab of silicone caulk on top of the screw head will give further protection.
metal, exposed to sun especially, will expand with heat and break the glue bond to the wood.
ribbed metal siding makes a tight weather seal and with the right components a good vermin seal.
i would tack aluminum or thin GI around the wood. gluing will come off eventually. and a neat row of nails or tacks on the edges gives one a strong, sturdy feeling.