Adhesive consumption per m² depends above all on how you apply it: a solid 1 mm layer of acrylic construction adhesive is about 1.6 kg/m², while the same adhesive in Ø3 mm beads 100 mm apart is only 0.16 kg/m². So first decide how you are gluing, then work out the area in the adhesive consumption calculator.
How adhesive is calculated, in plain words
For a solid layer, consumption equals layer thickness times adhesive density: a 1 mm layer of adhesive with a density of 1600 kg/m³ is 1.6 kg per square metre. Beads and spots cover only part of the area, so consumption is several times lower. The rest works like paint:
- Adhesive, kg = area, m² × consumption, kg/m².
- With margin: × (1 + margin / 100); the calculator suggests 10 % by default.
- Packages = result / package weight, rounded up.
Application methods in the calculator
In the "Pick a product" tab the calculator takes the density and package sizes from the manufacturer's data and asks you for the area, the margin and the application method:
- Solid layer 0.3, 0.5, 1 or 2 mm for wallpaper, glass-fibre wallcoverings, floor coverings and tiles.
- Beads Ø3 mm, 100 mm apart for panels, skirting and mouldings.
- Spots Ø20 mm on a 150 × 150 mm grid for boards and decor fixed with dabs.
- XPS board 1000 × 1000, Ø3 mm envelope for extruded polystyrene.
If your method is different (for example, a notched trowel under linoleum), open the "Enter manually" tab and enter the rate from the product page.
Example 1: linoleum in a 4 × 3 m room
The floor is laid with Ultra Lip floor-covering adhesive. Its product page gives 0.2–0.25 kg/m² as a solid layer; for buying we take the upper figure.
- 12 × 0.25 = 3 kg.
- With a 10 % margin: 3.3 kg.
- Buy: a 3 kg and a 1.2 kg bucket, or one 6 kg bucket.
The "Solid layer 1 mm" mode does not fit here: it calculates a full millimetre and would give 19.2 kg for 12 m². Linoleum adhesive goes on much thinner, so the rate is entered manually.
Example 2: PVC panels on a 2.5 × 2 m wall
The panels are fixed with Crazy Sticky acrylic construction adhesive in Ø3 mm beads 100 mm apart.
- Area: 5 m².
- Calculator rate: 0.16 kg/m², so 0.8 kg.
- With a 10 % margin: 0.88 kg — a 1.2 kg bucket or three 0.4 kg tubes.
Had the same wall been calculated as a solid 1 mm layer, the result would be 8 kg, ten times more than needed.
Example 3: a 3 × 0.6 m kitchen splashback in tiles
The tiles go on ready-mixed Tile, Mosaic, Stone adhesive as a solid 2 mm layer. The calculator gives 3.56 kg/m².
- 1.8 × 3.56 = 6.41 kg.
- With a 10 % margin: 7.05 kg, so one 8 kg bucket.
Table: POLIFARB adhesive consumption by application method
Adhesive | Calculator method | Calculator rate | Rate in the product description |
|---|---|---|---|
Crazy Sticky | solid 1 mm / beads / spots / XPS envelope | 1.6 / 0.16 / 0.13 / 0.08 kg/m² | — |
Ultra Lip | solid 1 mm | 1.6 kg/m² | 0.2–0.25 kg/m² as a solid layer |
Tile, Mosaic, Stone | solid 2 mm / spots | 3.56 / 0.14 kg/m² | — |
solid 0.3 mm | 0.30 kg/m² | 0.14–0.3 kg/m² | |
solid 1 mm / spots | 1.08 / 0.085 kg/m² | 0.25–0.5 kg/m² | |
solid 0.5 mm / 1 mm | 0.55 / 1.1 kg/m² | — |
When the description rate and the calculator result differ, the reason is layer thickness: the calculator works with a specific layer (0.3–2 mm), while the description rate reflects typical application of that adhesive. Choose whichever is closer to the job you are doing.
What increases consumption
- A coarse notched trowel and an uneven substrate.
- An absorbent surface. Porous and dusty substrates are primed first, otherwise the adhesive soaks into the substrate instead of working in the bond.
- Heavy decor and ceiling elements, where beads are laid closer together.
Common mistakes
- Calculating panels or skirting as a solid layer instead of beads.
- Using the 1 mm mode for linoleum or carpet, where the layer is much thinner.
- Mixing up g/m² and kg/m²: 250 g/m² is 0.25 kg/m².
- Not rounding the number of packages up. The calculator does it for you; by hand it is easy to forget.
To choose the adhesive itself, see MS Polymer, acrylic or rubber adhesive and how to glue floor coverings properly. For mirrors and heavy decor there is a separate guide on choosing an adhesive instead of drilling.
What to buy
For panels, skirting and decor, Crazy Sticky (packs from 0.2 to 12 kg); for linoleum and carpet, Ultra Lip; for tiles and mosaic, Tile, Mosaic, Stone; for glass-fibre wallcoverings, Lux Adhesive. Work out the area and number of packages for your method in the adhesive calculator.
FAQ
How much adhesive per m² of panels?
In Ø3 mm beads 100 mm apart, acrylic construction adhesive takes about 0.16 kg/m². A 0.4 kg tube covers roughly 2.5 m².
How do I calculate adhesive for linoleum?
Enter the floor area and the rate from the adhesive's product page. For Ultra Lip that is 0.2–0.25 kg/m²: 12 m² needs 2.4–3 kg before margin.
Does the calculator work for PVA glue?
Yes, if the rate is given in kg/m² or g/m². Convert grams to kilograms: 250 g/m² = 0.25 kg/m².
How much adhesive does an XPS board take?
With a Ø3 mm envelope on a 1000 × 1000 mm board, about 0.08 kg per board, so a 0.4 kg tube does five boards.
