Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers: Complete Guide to Bonding, Sealing & Repair Products

Adhesives, sealants, and fillers solve countless construction and repair challenges, bonding materials, preventing leaks, and filling gaps. At Rock Bottom Northampton, we stock over 1,250 bonding, sealing, and filling products from specialist manufacturers including Everbuild, EVO-STIK, Loctite, and Gorilla Glue. Based in Northampton NN4 7BF, we supply trade professionals and DIY customers with comprehensive solutions for virtually any bonding, sealing, or filling application.

This guide examines adhesive types, sealant applications, and filler products to help you select appropriate solutions for your specific needs. With Everbuild alone providing over 450 products in our range, you'll find professional-grade materials for every application from basic household repairs to demanding construction and industrial bonding.

Understanding Adhesive Types and Applications

Adhesives create mechanical and chemical bonds between materials, with different formulations suited to specific substrates and loading conditions. Selecting appropriate adhesives ensures reliable bonds that withstand intended service conditions.

PVA and White Glues

Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) glues serve as general-purpose wood adhesives for interior joinery and carpentry. Standard PVA suits non-structural applications like craft work and light assembly. Type II PVA provides moderate water resistance for applications that might experience occasional dampness but not sustained exposure. Type III and Type IV PVAs deliver increasing water resistance, with Type IV approaching fully waterproof performance suitable for external joinery.

PVA bonds work through evaporation of water carrier, requiring clamping pressure during cure. Long open times allow positioning adjustments, while fast-grab formulations reduce clamping time. Sand easily when cured, PVA proves ideal for furniture making and joinery where invisible glue lines matter.

Super Glues and Cyanoacrylates

Cyanoacrylate adhesives, commonly called super glues, bond instantly on contact with moisture. Extremely fast cure times make them ideal for small repairs and assemblies where clamping proves impractical. They bond most materials including plastics, rubber, metal, and ceramics, though performance on porous materials like wood proves less reliable.

Gap-filling cyanoacrylates tolerate loose-fitting joints better than standard thin formulations. Gel versions prevent running on vertical surfaces. Accelerators speed cure on thick applications or in low-humidity environments. Despite excellent immediate strength, cyanoacrylates prove brittle under impact and peel forces—they excel at shear loading but fail under loads attempting to separate bonded surfaces directly.

Epoxy Adhesives

Two-part epoxy adhesives deliver exceptional strength and versatility, bonding virtually all materials including metals, plastics, ceramics, glass, and wood. Chemical curing rather than evaporation allows thick applications and gap-filling capabilities. Once fully cured, epoxies resist water, chemicals, and temperature extremes that would degrade other adhesive types.

Epoxies range from five-minute rapid-cure formulations for quick repairs to slow-cure systems allowing extended working time for complex assemblies. Clear epoxies suit visible repairs, while opaque versions can be sanded and painted. Structural epoxies deliver load-bearing bonds for critical applications. Brands like Araldite have built reputations on reliable epoxy formulations serving both professional and consumer markets.

Construction Adhesives and Mastics

Heavy-duty construction adhesives bond building materials including timber, plasterboard, insulation, and panels. Solvent-based contact adhesives create instant bonds between flexible materials like laminates, veneers, and foam. Both surfaces receive adhesive, which dries before pressing together—resulting bonds prove immediate and extremely strong.

Grab adhesives provide instant initial tack, supporting loads immediately without temporary fixing. They cure through evaporation and reaction with atmospheric moisture, developing full strength over hours or days. Everbuild specializes in construction adhesives with over 450 products covering virtually every building and construction bonding application.

Specialist Adhesives

Thread-locking compounds prevent fasteners from loosening through vibration. Low-strength formulations allow future disassembly with hand tools, while high-strength versions require heat for removal. Bearing-retaining compounds bond cylindrical parts like bearings and bushings into housings. Loctite pioneered and continues to dominate this category with comprehensive ranges for maintenance and manufacturing applications.

Mirror adhesives bond mirrors safely to walls without mechanical fixings. Specialized formulations resist the corrosive effects of mirror backing while providing strong, permanent bonds. Panel adhesives bond decorative panels, cladding, and architectural features, often including gap-filling properties that accommodate irregular surfaces.

Sealants for Weatherproofing and Jointing

Sealants prevent water, air, and dust penetration while accommodating movement between joined materials. Different sealant types suit various applications and movement expectations.

Silicone Sealants

Silicone sealants provide excellent adhesion, flexibility, and weather resistance. They accommodate significant joint movement, making them ideal for expansion joints and interfaces between dissimilar materials that expand differently. Sanitary silicones include fungicides preventing mould growth in bathrooms and kitchens. General-purpose silicones suit windows, conservatories, and general weatherproofing. High-modulus silicones deliver stronger initial adhesion for demanding applications.

Neutral-cure silicones avoid the acetic acid smell of traditional acetoxy silicones while proving compatible with metals and mirrors that acetoxy types can corrode. Low-modulus silicones remain flexible, ideal where significant movement occurs. Limitations include difficulty overpainting—silicones resist most paints, requiring specialist primers or acceptance of unpainted joints.

Acrylic Sealants

Acrylic sealants, sometimes called decorators' caulk, fill gaps and joints in interior decoration. Unlike silicone, they accept paint readily, allowing seamless decoration. Good adhesion to most building materials makes them versatile for general jointing and gap-filling. However, limited flexibility and poor water resistance restrict them to interior use in low-movement applications.

Flexible acrylic sealants combine paintability with improved movement accommodation compared to standard acrylics. While not matching silicone flexibility, they suit many interior applications where some movement occurs. Some formulations claim exterior use, though performance generally proves inferior to silicone or hybrid sealants in demanding weathering conditions.

Polyurethane Sealants

Polyurethane sealants offer excellent adhesion, flexibility, and weather resistance plus paintability. They bond strongly to most materials without primers, accommodating moderate movement while resisting weathering and UV degradation. Common in construction for sealing joints in brickwork, concrete, and general exterior applications.

PU sealants cure through reaction with atmospheric moisture, developing from surface inward. Thick applications cure slowly, potentially taking days to cure fully through their depth. Once cured, they prove durable and long-lasting, though more expensive than acrylic alternatives.

Hybrid Polymer Sealants

Hybrid sealants combine silicone flexibility with polyurethane paintability and strong adhesion. Often marketed as "MS Polymers" or similar, they represent newer technology attempting to capture benefits of multiple sealant types. Initial tack and flexibility rival silicone, while final paint acceptance surpasses traditional silicones.

These sealants suit situations requiring flexibility and weather resistance with subsequent decoration. More expensive than basic acrylics or silicones, they justify costs where their combination of properties proves necessary. Growing in popularity as their advantages become recognized by trade professionals.

Fillers for Repair and Preparation

Fillers correct surface defects, repair damage, and prepare surfaces for finishing. Different formulations suit various materials and application requirements.

Interior Fillers

General-purpose interior fillers handle minor cracks, holes, and imperfections in plaster, plasterboard, and wood. Powder fillers mixed with water prove economical for large repairs. Pre-mixed fillers offer convenience for smaller jobs. Fast-setting formulations reduce waiting time between filling and decoration, though they limit working time and prove harder to sand than slower-setting alternatives.

Fine surface fillers create ultra-smooth finishes for high-quality decoration. Their fine consistency fills minor imperfections invisible to general-purpose fillers. Some fillers include flexibilizing agents reducing cracking over joints or cracks that continue moving slightly. Toupret specializes in high-quality fillers with formulations for specific applications and finish requirements.

Exterior Fillers

Exterior fillers must resist weathering, accommodate movement, and often accept paint or stain. Flexible fillers stretch with substrate movement without cracking. Cement-based fillers suit masonry repairs, setting hard to match surrounding material properties. Wood fillers for exterior use resist moisture and UV degradation while accepting wood stains and paints.

Two-part polyester fillers cure chemically rather than drying, allowing thick applications that set quickly regardless of environmental conditions. Popular for auto body repairs, they also serve general exterior repairs requiring quick turnaround and durable results. Sand easily when fully cured, though generating considerable dust requiring appropriate respiratory protection.

Specialist Fillers

Wood fillers range from powder fillers mixed with water to solvent-based putties. Interior wood fillers suit furniture repairs and joinery. Exterior wood fillers withstand weather exposure, though performance varies significantly between products. Colour-matched fillers minimize visibility in stained or clear-finished work.

Epoxy wood fillers deliver exceptional strength and weather resistance for structural repairs. They bond strongly to sound wood, can be shaped and drilled, and accept paint, stain, or clear finishes. Expensive but effective for serious damage where standard fillers would fail. Two-part formulations cure chemically, allowing use in any weather conditions.

Application Techniques and Best Practices

Surface Preparation

Adhesive and sealant performance depends heavily on proper surface preparation. Clean surfaces of dust, grease, and loose material. Adhesion to dirty or contaminated surfaces fails regardless of product quality. Solvents remove oils, detergents clean general dirt, and wire brushes remove loose material and corrosion.

Porous surfaces may require priming or sealing before adhesive or sealant application. Primers improve adhesion and prevent excessive absorption that would starve joints. Some sealants and adhesives include primer recommendations or requirements in their technical data—follow these specifications for reliable results.

Application Methods

Cartridge guns dispense sealants and adhesives controllably, with skeleton guns serving basic tubes while professional dripless guns prevent mess and waste. For bulk applications, large cartridges or foil packs reduce costs per unit volume. Mixing nozzles for two-part products ensure proper ratio and thorough mixing.

Apply sealants in continuous beads without gaps or stops that create weak points. Tool sealants immediately after application, smoothing surfaces and pressing material into joints. Masking tape protects adjacent surfaces, removed immediately after tooling before sealant skins. For fillers, apply slightly proud of surfaces, allowing shrinkage during cure without creating depressions.

Curing and Service Life

Respect curing times—applying loads or exposing to weather before full cure compromises bond strength and sealant performance. Surface cure times differ from full cure—through-cure takes longer, particularly for thick applications. Temperature and humidity affect cure rates, with cold or dry conditions slowing cure significantly.

Shelf life matters for adhesives and sealants. Check expiry dates before use, particularly for materials stored for extended periods. Cartridge tips dried shut indicate partial curing—clear blockages carefully or discard if cure has progressed significantly. Store materials as specified, typically cool and dry conditions away from direct sunlight.

Health, Safety, and Disposal

Many adhesives, sealants, and fillers contain solvents or chemicals requiring appropriate handling. Ensure adequate ventilation, particularly with solvent-based products. Avoid skin contact—wear gloves when handling chemicals that might irritate or sensitize. Safety glasses prevent eye splash during application. Read safety data sheets for proper handling procedures.

Dispose of empty containers and waste materials responsibly. Many products qualify as hazardous waste requiring proper disposal routes. Never pour liquid adhesives or sealants down drains where they can set and cause blockages or contaminate water systems. Check local regulations for proper disposal methods.

Why Buy Adhesives & Sealants from Rock Bottom Northampton

We stock over 1,250 adhesives, sealants, and fillers from leading manufacturers including Everbuild (450+ products), EVO-STIK (57 products), Loctite (56 specialist adhesives), Toupret (57 premium fillers), and Gorilla Glue (37 high-performance adhesives). This comprehensive range covers bonding, sealing, and filling requirements for virtually any application.

Our competitive pricing makes quality bonding and sealing products accessible without compromising performance. Trade contractors benefit from bulk purchase options and consistent availability. Free click and collect service provides immediate access to materials without delivery delays.

Expert advice helps you select appropriate products for specific applications. Our staff understand adhesive and sealant properties, application requirements, and product limitations. We can recommend suitable materials and explain proper application techniques for reliable results.

Shop Adhesives, Sealants & Fillers at Rock Bottom Northampton

Browse our adhesives and sealants collection at www.rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk/collections/consumables to explore bonding, sealing, and filling products. Filter by brand, product type, or application to find appropriate solutions.

Visit our Queensbridge showroom in Northampton NN4 7BF to discuss your bonding or sealing requirements with knowledgeable staff. Bring material samples or photos if you need advice on product selection for unusual applications or challenging bonding situations.

Contact Rock Bottom Northampton

Rock Bottom Northampton Ltd
Artisans' House
7 Queensbridge
Northampton
NN4 7BF

Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Sunday & Bank Holidays: Closed

Phone: 01604 720272
Email: sales@rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk
Web: www.rockbottomnorthampton.co.uk

From basic household adhesives to industrial-strength bonding systems, weatherproof sealants to premium fillers, Rock Bottom Northampton provides the bonding and sealing solutions that professionals rely on. Quality products at competitive prices, with expert advice to ensure successful applications.