Adhesive & Glue Calculator
Tubes, cartridges, tubs, or cans needed - coverage rates auto-set by product type, adjustable per job.
Product settings
Adjust to match manufacturer data.
10% typical; more for irregular shapes.
Surfaces / Areas
Job Costing (optional)
UK Market PricesFills in the material cost fields with current UK market prices. You can review and edit each price before applying.
Results
Total area
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m²
Units needed
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inc. waste
Areas calculated
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surfaces
Area breakdown
| Surface / area | Area (m²) | Units needed | Units to buy | Pack |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many adhesive cartridges do I need for a job?
A standard 310 ml cartridge at a 6 mm continuous bead covers approximately 10-12 linear metres. As dot-and-dab blobs (50 mm diameter) at 300 mm centres: approximately 3-4 m² per cartridge. For a 30 m² wall: 30 ÷ 3.5 = approximately 9 cartridges. Always check the manufacturer's datasheet - bead size and substrate porosity significantly affect usage.
What is the difference between grab adhesive and structural adhesive?
Grab adhesive (e.g. No More Nails): fast initial grab, permanent bond for non-structural elements - skirting, architrave, bath panels, cladding. Not suitable for load-bearing connections. Structural adhesive (epoxy, polyurethane, two-part acrylic): engineered for high-strength load-bearing bonds - must be specified to EN 1504 or the relevant product standard and tested for the design load.
What adhesive should I use for fixing skirting boards and architrave?
Use a grab adhesive or MS polymer construction adhesive (Gripfill, Stixall, or similar). Apply a 6 mm continuous bead to the back of the board, press firmly, and prop or nail while curing. On dot-and-dab plasterboard walls: nail into studs (preferred) to avoid cracking the board; adhesive as supplementary fixing only. Use solvent-free adhesives in confined spaces.
What adhesive is used for dot-and-dab plasterboard fixing?
Gypsum-based bonding compound (e.g. Gyproc Bonding or Thistle Bond-It), applied as vertical columns of blobs at 600 mm horizontal centres. Blobs: 50-75 mm diameter x 50-75 mm deep. Coverage: approximately 1.5-2.5 kg/m². A 25 kg bag covers 10-15 m². Mix to a creamy consistency and use within 30-45 minutes of mixing.
How long does construction adhesive take to cure?
Grab adhesive (MS polymer/PU): skin in 30-60 min; handling strength in 24 hrs; full cure 3-7 days. Epoxy two-part: working time 5-90 min; full cure 24-72 hrs. Gypsum bonding compound: initial set 1-2 hrs; decorate after 24-48 hrs. All adhesives cure slower in cold or damp conditions - most have a minimum application temperature of 5-10°C.
What waste allowance should I add to my adhesive calculation?
Add 10-15% for waste at cartridge start/end, excess squeezed out when pressing boards, and partially used cartridges that harden between uses. Cartridge adhesives: cap immediately after use - typically remain usable for 2-4 weeks once opened. For large jobs: order from the same batch number to avoid colour or cure rate variation between batches.