Description
Roberts TFA is a Green Tag Certified, single-part, permanently flexible MS adhesive that’s both solvent and isocyanate free, designed for fixing timber flooring as well as approved acoustic underlays to the most common subfloors. Its single-part MS chemistry gives it genuine flexibility once cured, allowing it to accommodate the natural movement of timber flooring over time without the joint failure a rigid adhesive could develop.
A standout practical property is that it will not re-emulsify on water contact — once fully cured, incidental moisture exposure won’t soften or compromise the bond, which matters for timber floors that inevitably see some moisture over their working life. It’s easy to trowel and spread, and suits bonding onto concrete, cementitious and timber substrates alike, provided each is properly prepared per Australian Standard 1884.
For concrete subfloors with elevated moisture, relative humidity must be tested per ASTM F2170 and kept below 85%; where it exceeds that threshold, RLA Moisture Seal is the recommended solution, with the timber adhesive applied over it within 3 days. Roberts TFA typically forms a firm skin within two hours and cures in approximately 24 hours at normal ambient conditions, with sanding able to commence 3 to 7 days after the full installation is complete.
Because timber flooring naturally expands and contracts with humidity, an adhesive’s flexibility after curing genuinely matters for long-term joint integrity — a rigid adhesive can crack or delaminate as the floor moves, while Roberts TFA’s permanently flexible MS chemistry is built to accommodate that ongoing movement without failing. That flexibility, combined with its water-contact stability, is what makes it a durable long-term choice for both solid and engineered timber installations.
Technical Specifications
| Coverage (timber substrates, 4-5mm trowel) | Approx. 1-1.2m² per litre |
|---|---|
| Coverage (acoustic underlay, 2-3mm trowel) | Approx. 2m² per litre |
| Skin time | Approx. 2 hours |
| Cure time | Approx. 24 hours |
| Sanding | 3-7 days after full installation |
| Packaging | 10 litre / 15kg containers |
| Shelf life | 12 months, unopened original packaging |
Where to Use
- Solid, parquet and engineered timber flooring installation
- Bonding approved acoustic underlays to common subfloors
- Concrete, cementitious and timber substrates
How to Apply
- Prepare the subfloor — per Australian Standard 1884, absorbent, dry, smooth and free of contaminants.
- Apply adhesive with the correct notched trowel — 2-3mm for underlay, 3-5mm for timber flooring systems.
- Install into the wet film — ensure full transfer between the adhesive and the flooring or underlay.
- Install within 30 minutes — of the adhesive’s application for best results.
- Maintain contact until cured — mechanical fixing or weighing down is recommended.
Important Notes
- Do not use below 10°C or above 28°C.
- Do not apply over acrylic or PVA primers/sealers.
- Do not walk on laid flooring during the first four hours after installation.
