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Having high-quality adhesive tape at hand can be a lifesaver, whether you’re dealing with minor household fixes or small-scale construction tasks. The ZOOM range of reinforced and elastic LDPE-based tapes makes gluing and fastening work quick and hassle-free in both domestic and professional settings.

The Key to Success: Choosing the Right Tape

According to Orestas Alekna, Product Group Manager at UAB Tegra State, adhesive tapes are indispensable tools for professional craftsmen and homeowners alike. Selecting the most suitable tape depends on the complexity of the task and the working conditions.

“The first step in choosing a tape is identifying its intended purpose and the environment in which it will be used. For outdoor tasks or areas with high humidity, opt for tapes designed to withstand temperature fluctuations and moisture,” advises O. Alekna.

For example, ZOOM IRON TAPE is a high-performance tape with a synthetic rubber adhesive that offers excellent resistance to aging and temperature extremes. With strong initial adhesion, this tape is ideal for outdoor applications, including rough surfaces like brick, concrete, and stone, as well as low-energy surfaces like polyethylene. Additionally, it boasts an impressive tensile strength of up to 700 N/25 mm.

Handy for Garden and Automotive Repairs

O. Alekna also highlights two other must-have ZOOM products for any toolbox: ZOOM Professional Reinforced Tape and ZOOM Reinforced Gray Tape.

“ZOOM Professional Reinforced Tape is a versatile solution for quick fixes. It’s perfect for household repairs, garden work, construction tasks, and even car repairs,” notes Alekna.

This tape stands out for its strong adhesion, water and abrasion resistance, and ease of use—it can even be torn by hand.

“For smaller home projects, I recommend the ZOOM Reinforced Gray Tape. It’s ideal for routine repairs or unexpected situations like fixing a broken pump hose. This tape will prove invaluable,” adds Alekna.

Tips for Optimal Use

To ensure you have enough material for the entire project, Alekna advises considering the tape’s width and length. Choosing the right dimensions can make all the difference in completing your tasks efficiently.

As winter approaches, everyone wants to enjoy a cozy, warm home despite the dropping temperatures outside. Achieving this, however, can be challenging without the right door and window installation foam. A high-quality foam not only ensures a tight seal but also helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew inside your home. The FOME FLEX range of door and window installation foams offers advanced solutions tailored to your specific needs, featuring some of the most innovative properties available on the market.

The key to success lies in making the right choice

“Quality window and door installation foams must, first and foremost, ensure that your home is airtight,” says Daniel Počikovskij, product manager at Tegra State. “These foams are designed to retain heat during winter and maintain cool temperatures in summer. They should also feature both open and closed pores, allowing the sealed materials to breathe and preventing the development of mold.”

“For foams to effectively ensure the proper installation and airtightness of windows and doors, they must possess several key properties,” he explains.

“When selecting foam, it’s important to consider its thermal conductivity, which should be as low as possible,” says D. Počikovskij, discussing the key properties of foam. “For doors and windows, flexible foams are preferable, as they adapt to the movement of the structure, preventing tearing or detachment from door and window frames. In contrast, low-quality foam tends to be rigid, breaking easily when the structure shifts, which then allows heat and moisture to seep in.”

“For ease of use, foams should have low secondary expansion and low curing pressure; otherwise, they can cause structural shifts. The setting speed is another critical factor—high-quality foams cure more quickly, allowing excess material to be trimmed off in as little as 20 minutes, saving valuable time for craftsmen.”

Delivering the Best Performance on the Market

D. Počikovskij highlights three FOME FLEX products worth considering when selecting an installation foam.

The FOME FLEX “7 Doors & Windows” installation foam is specifically designed for the professional sealing of windows and doors, offering exceptional thermal and acoustic insulation. With an impressively low thermal conductivity of just 0.030 W/mK—among the best on the market—this foam ensures superior energy efficiency. Its elastic seam can accommodate up to 25% displacement, while maintaining extremely low secondary expansion. Additionally, the “7 Doors & Windows” foam provides excellent sound insulation and is suitable for outdoor use in a wide range of conditions, functioning effectively in ambient temperatures from -5°C to +35°C, even during rain or snowfall.

Another popular choice among window and door installers is FOME FLEX installation foam ”DOUBLE PISTOL FOAM”. It has a very low secondary expansion of just 30%, an extremely low thermal conductivity and can be used at temperatures as low as -10 °C. Another advantage is the new ”Double Pistol” technology, which makes it possible to work with both the pistol and the adapter supplied with the bottle. This is particularly useful for reaching narrower and less accessible areas.

D. Počikovskij highly recommends the FOME FLEX “FAST CUT 75 L,” the fastest-setting professional polyurethane installation foam on the market, known for its exceptionally high yield. This foam, designed for sealing and insulation, delivers a yield of 75 liters per bottle with a secondary expansion rate of just 30%. It polymerizes remarkably quickly, allowing cutting to be performed in as little as 10 minutes and achieving full curing in just 1.5 hours—significantly faster than the 12-hour curing time typical of conventional foams.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

D. Počikovskij emphasizes that to fully enjoy the benefits of FOME FLEX installation foam, it’s crucial to avoid several common mistakes.

“The surfaces where you apply the foam must be clean and free of grease. It’s also very important to moisten both the surfaces before application and the foam itself after it has been sprayed. This ensures the best possible result,” explains Počikovskij.

For foams designed for use in sub-zero temperatures, he notes that the bottle should still be kept warm, and the foam should not be moistened. Additionally, the foam’s expansion properties, though minimal, should always be considered.

“You need to be aware of the foam’s expansion rate and leave enough room for it to expand when applying it to gaps,” advises Počikovskij, product manager at Tegra State Ltd.

The cold season is setting in, so while temperatures still remain above freezing, now is the ideal time to insulate your home’s walls and roofs. FOME FLEX 60 Seconds offers a reliable and high-quality solution with the fastest setting foam-glue on the market. Nerijus Kalasūnas, an experienced exterior finisher in both interior and exterior decoration has been using this product since its launch over five years ago and says that once he tried FOME FLEX 60 Seconds, he knew he would never turn to any other alternative again.  He believes that insulating buildings is only one of the many impressive ways you can use this product.

“This is the ultimate product,” Kalasūnas says. “Unlike the rigid polyurethane foam commonly used by other craftsmen, this glue is suitable for all kinds of jobs. I use it for everything—from various wall and ceiling finishes to pipe routing and stair treads. It’s also incredibly effective for window construction. Having tested several alternatives to FOME FLEX, I can confidently say there is no comparable product on the market.”

Kalasūnas says that this popular foam adhesive is not only easy to use but it is also fast, strong, rigid, and extremely reliable. The product specifications back this up: when using this for building insulation or bonding panels, you only need to hold the bonded element in place for one minute. The foam adhesive sets fully in just 15 minutes and can withstand loads of up to 18 tonnes per square meter within half an hour.

Kalasūnas shares five tips that highlight the numerous advantages of FOME FLEX 60 Seconds.

Use FOME FLEX 60 Seconds on walls

 Kalasūnas says that  FOME FLEX 60 Seconds his highly effective for wall and ceiling finishes.

“Once the adhesive is applied to the wall, it only takes a minute for the panel to adhere securely. The product bonds well with various materials, including plaster, OSB, concrete, masonry blocks, and even ceramic and stone tiles. After the materials are joined, they can be adjusted for a few more minutes, and then you’re done. Use a spirit level to ensure everything is perfectly aligned. In just a minute or two, the adhesive sets with a little extra pressure, and within ten minutes, we have a finished result,” he says.

Fast results on ceilings

The same principle applies to ceiling finishes. Kalasūnas cautions that these foam adhesive sets very quickly, so timing is crucial: “We have just one minute. If we hesitate after applying the adhesive, the product may lose its effectiveness, reducing its bonding strength. This is what makes FOME FLEX 60 Seconds unique— it’s the fastest setting foam adhesive on the market.”

Suitable for windows

When it comes to window installation, Kalasūnas says that traditional curing polyurethane foams can’t compete with this adhesive. Using FOME FLEX 60 Seconds, he completes the job faster, more reliably, and with superior quality.

“The process is the same,” he says. “With foam glue, you can trim and finish an installation in just one hour. It’s incredibly convenient— you can quickly install the windows and head home.”

Ideal for stairs

FOME FLEX 60 Seconds has also proved to be ideal for stair installation. When Kalasūnas used it to secure wooden steps, the results were remarkable.

“I had a project to repair an old staircase leading to the second floor. The stairs were uneven, and tilted to one side. I decided to glue new treads onto the existing steps. My main focus was creating a solid, level base. I positioned each step, applied foam glue underneath, and within ten minutes, the adhesive had set. I repeated this until the project was complete. Now, almost five years later, the staircase has held up perfectly—no buckling, bouncing, or shifting.”

The perfect choice for plumbing

While FOME FLEX 60 Seconds works well with flexible building materials like timber, Kalasūnas says that  this versatile foam adhesive has even more benefits. It’s particularly useful for plumbing applications.

“Once the pipes are laid and sloped correctly, the foam can be applied from below. It quickly molds and sets, holding the pipes firmly in place, so concrete can be poured immediately afterward,” says Kalasūnas.  “FOME FLEX 60 Seconds has truly become an essential tool, ensuring high-quality results on every project.”

Recently, a new addition has joined the FOME FLEX lineup: FOME FLEX 120 Seconds. This version has a slightly slower set time, making it ideal for larger slabs and for working on hot summer days.

“FOME FLEX 60 Seconds and FOME FLEX 120 Seconds are similar in quality and performance. The main difference lies in the setting speeds. With FOME FLEX 60 Seconds, you only need to wait one minute after application to proceed. FOME FLEX 120 Seconds bonds in two minutes, with full setting achieved in two hours, compared to fifteen to forty-five minutes for FOME FLEX 60 Seconds.”

For anyone carrying out insulation work, one of the most important tools is a tape that provides perfect sealing and adhesion. For this reason, we have created ZOOM vapor barrier tape, featuring unique adhesive properties which can bond to a variety of surfaces while the elastic base guarantees optimal tightness.

Single-sided adhesive ZOOM vapor barrier tape is designed to ensure a long-term, completely sealed connection between water vapor insulating materials, as well as with wall and roof structures. Due to its unique adhesive properties, it can be bond with various surfaces – from plywood and chipboards to vapor barrier and sealing films.

ZOOM vapor barrier tape is mostly used in performing various insulation works, such as insulating the facade, internal walls and roof. Craftsmen who already value the properties of ZOOM vapor barrier tape will use it even in places where ventilation pipes are connected.

This vapor barrier tape stands out from similar products, surpassing them in many useful features. ZOOM vapor barrier tape is extremely elastic and can stretch even up to three times its initial position. The tape’s elastic base ensures optimal tightness on various surfaces and overlaps.

The product is also perfectly suitable for both indoor and outdoor use as it is resistant to ultraviolet rays, and the lowest working temperature reaches -20 degrees.

In order to achieve the best results when using ZOOM vapor barrier tape, it is important to prepare properly and follow the instructions for use. Water, dust, grease and any other dirt build-up must be removed from the surfaces which need to be bonded, and all residue from cleaning agents or other auxiliary materials must also be removed with a clean, dry cloth.

If the work is carried out at a lower temperature and in order to obtain the best possible adhesion, the tape should be at room temperature – this way the glue activates effectively. It is also important to comply with the recommended operating temperature, and the tape used must be properly pressed to the bonded surfaces without leaving air gaps. In the case of improper bonding, it is necessary to remove and bond a new tape.

The materials to be bonded must also be properly attached in accordance with the techniques specified in DIN 4108/11. When it is not possible to ensure application without increased stretching of the material, the materials must be additionally reinforced by mechanical means.

ZOOM vapor barrier tape also meets the strict requirements of EnEV (DIN 4108/11) for the permanent sealing of a hermetic vapor barrier sheet.

This product is an excellent choice when looking for professional and top-quality help with insulation or other work. See for yourself how you can achieve the perfect adhesion and tightness!

Water can do a lot of damage to various types of buildings: it may cause an infestation of mould, bad smell or destructive cracks, as well as damaging the finish. However, all these challenges can be resolved through waterproofing. Waterproofing protects buildings against water damage and helps you avoid time-consuming, labour-intensive and costly repairs in the future. Our Product Manager Robertas Matusevičius explains the importance of quality waterproofing and the stages of this process, also listing the main errors and the solutions for rapid, reliable and effective results.

Serious challenges to be expected down the line

Waterproofing buildings, in essence, is preventing later challenges that can be caused by water damage. Therefore, waterproofing must be done properly, conscientiously and at the right time. Otherwise, water may cause irreversible damage to the building. Fixing this damage, R. Matusevičius points out, will be both complicated and costly.

“In areas where water seeps through or moisture accumulates, one should always expect to see certain damage such as mould, bad smell or damage to the finish. Add to this the effect of cold and we end up with cracks that are destructive to the building. Therefore, proper waterproofing is crucial when building a house, as failing to do so will result in defects that will not only present a financial challenge, but also require a lot of time and effort. Suppose water seeps through the basement wall. You would then need to dig out around the outside of the wall and mess up the tidy surroundings. Or if water starts accumulating on, say, a flat roof, it will be very difficult to locate the exact spot of leakage, as roof insulation will have become saturated with moisture. Now, drying that is a tough challenge indeed,” says R. Matusevičius.

Resolving issues like that is a difficult task. However, according to Matusevičius, proper waterproofing prevents these problems from occurring in the first place.

Five-step process

When asked how to ensure proper waterproofing, R. Matusevičius explains that there are multiple ways of doing so. However, with respect to liquid bituminous coating in particular, the process is divided into 5 steps.

“First, you need to prepare the surface. The base surface needs to be dry or lightly damp. You should then clean the surface to make sure it is free of dust or mechanical particles. If it is noticeably uneven or there are cracks, these should be taken care of, too. The second step is priming. For this, you will need a primer that permeates the surface and binds it, ensuring better adhesion and durability of the waterproofing coating. Next, you apply the filler. If there are any small imperfections or cracks, these should be taken care of. Corners, vents and joints must be coated with a bituminous filler, which is viscous and highly elastic. In these areas, the use of a filler reduces the likelihood of cracks appearing as the building moves over time,” says Matusevičius.

The fourth step, according to him, is applying a waterproofing mastic. Usually, two, three or four layers of this coating are applied on the base surface. We recommend applying every new layer crosswise to the earlier one, and if one is working with a flat roof, a polyester fleece should be embedded in the first layer.

“A polyester fleece is used as reinforcement, much like a reinforcement mesh for concrete. I would then recommend applying mineral dry shake hardener on the last layer of the waterproofing coating, which will increase its UV resistance and improve the durability of the roof. Once these steps are completed, you proceed to the last one, which is thermal insulation. For example, if you need to thermally insulate a basement wall after waterproofing, you will need to use PS and XPS insulation boards. These are fixed to the wall using a bituminous glue-mastic. Finally, once the wall is thermally insulated, you apply a special membrane and cover it with soil,” says R. Matusevičius.

Mistakes to avoid

One should not only follow these steps to ensure proper waterproofing, but also take care to avoid the most common mistakes, the expert says. Asked what those mistakes are, R. Matusevičius points out that, first and foremost, people tend to forget to clean the base surface, which then compromises adhesion.

“Another common mistake when waterproofing is the failure to take care of all kinds of cracks and to use a primer. Many are unaware that it should be used, and others try to save money. To give you a parallel: people sometimes fail to use a primer before painting walls, which causes the paint to peel off some three years later. The same goes for waterproofing,” he says.

When waterproofing the foundation walls, one should carefully assess how many layers of the coating are needed, Matusevičius emphasizes. Two layers provide light protection. They protect against moisture and temporary soil saturation when soil permeability is high. The thickness of this waterproofing coating is between 1 and 1.5mm.

“Medium waterproofing, on the other hand, consists of 3 layers. This is the preferred option when soil permeability is not very good, which leads to the accumulation of rainwater in the soil for an extended period of time. Its thickness is between 2 and 3mm. Finally, heavy, 4-layer waterproofing is used when soil permeability is poor, with constant accumulation of rainwater and pore water pressure. The thickness of this waterproofing coating is between 4 and 6mm. There is also another common mistake. Thermal insulation boards should never be attached to the foundation using mushroom-head fasteners. If you drill a hole in the wall to insert a mushroom-head fastener, you compromise the waterproofing coating. When applying a seamless waterproofing coating on the roof, it is important to embed a polyester fleece in it,” says R. Matusevičius.

Offering an innovative solution

We are launching a new waterproofing system in Lithuania’s market, which ensures rapid, high-quality and eco-friendly waterproofing.

This our innovative Fome Flex product line, which lets you complete the work in as quickly as one day. These are water-based emulsion products, which means that they dry quickly, odourless and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The innovative bituminous waterproofing system consists of four products, R. Matusevičius explains.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Primer bituminous primer. It effectively permeates the base surface, binding the dust and other impurities that remain after cleaning. The primer is less viscous than a mastic, which ensures better surface penetration. If a mastic is applied without a primer, its adhesion will always be compromised, and the mastic may even detach from the surface over time. This will likely lead to the accumulation of moisture and cold, which will cause further damage to the waterproofing coating.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Filler bituminous filler. This filler is purposely made to be viscous and highly elastic, which allows it to fill any gaps and even out the imperfections. Using the mastic alone will not be enough to seal any cracks that are wider than 1 or 2mm. The mastic will never be able to completely fill such gaps. This may lead to the accumulation of moisture and cold, which would in turn cause damage to the waterproofing coating. The filler is also essential for sealing various corners and joints (such as chimneys or vents on the roof). In these spots, the likelihood of cracks appearing as the building moves over time is greater. A thicker layer of the filler acts as a buffer here, preventing the cracks in the waterproofing coating.

FOME FLEX Rapid Hydro Defence Mastic bituminous mastic. This is the product that creates the waterproofing coating itself. It is neither too liquid (the primer itself does not provide sufficient protection), nor too viscous (while the filler can, in theory, be used for waterproofing, doing so would slow down the work and increase the costs). The mastic can be applied to large surfaces in a very short time, dries quickly and ensures reliable waterproofing.

FOME FLEX Hydro Defence Glue-Mastic bituminous glue-mastic. In Lithuania, the foundations are usually waterproofed using bituminous-based mastics. Then, PS and XPS thermal insulation boards are often fixed to the wall using polyurethane foam adhesives; however, not every adhesive of this kind ensures good adhesion with the waterproofing layer. This is why the safest option for thermal insulation of the foundations is the bituminous glue-mastic. This product ensures excellent adhesion with both the waterproofing layer and the PS and XPS thermal insulation boards.

“All of these products are safe for the environment, solvent-free, non-flammable and odourless. They can be applied on damp surfaces. These products are also very simple to use: compared with thinner-based solutions, the Fome Flex products are much more liquid, which makes them much easier to apply and distribute evenly. One may use putty knifes, rollers, brushes or air compressors to accomplish this. Also, when all work is done, there is no need to clean the tools with a solvent. If the substance has not yet hardened, you can simply wash it off with water and a sponge; if it has hardened, you can scrape it off with a putty knife. It is important to bear in mind that these products provide a 1.5 to 2.5 greater output by weight and offer UV protection, yet their greatest advantage is the speed of work. The Fome Flex range allows you to complete the waterproofing process – that is, apply the primer, the filler and 2 to 3 layers of the waterproofing coating – within a single day or 6 to 10 hours,” explains R. Matusevičius.

For those looking for a reliable and high-quality sealing of structural and expansion joints in facades, roofs and floor walkways, we have a unique innovation.

This is the new generation of Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM, a professional single component polyurethane sealant and adhesive. This versatile product is perfectly suited for roofing applications and complies with the NFP 85-610 standard, so it can be used for clay tiles, as well as for the bonding of panels, window sills, doorsteps and filters. Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM also seals welded joints, glass constructions, lacquered surfaces and dampens noise in wagon formations. It can be used on metal or porcelain joints, steel, stainless steel, plastic, painted wood, concrete and brick.

Here are our experts tp explain more of its features:

Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM is a new generation of HM ( high modulus) single component, polyurethane sealant and adhesive. Specifically designed as a multi-purpose sealant, its unique properties are unmatched by other products of its type and purpose on the market.

One of the main advantages is bubble-free curing. The sealant can be applied to wet surfaces and left to dry in the sun. Its innovative GEL technology is also unique, allowing for a convenient, even and easy application of the product.

This new generation sealant has a pleasant almond scent rather than the typical pungent acetone smell. It also contains a reduced content of isocyanates, making it healthy and environmentally  friendly.

This sealant is also suitable for wider joints than conventional similar sealants. While comparable products have a maximum seam width of up to 35 mm, Fome Flex PU SEAL&FLEX PREMIUM allows the product to be used for seams almost twice as long, up to 60 mm. The sealant is also permanently elastic, maintaining 25% seam flexibility and 500% tear strength.

As well as offering a wide range of advantages, the product also really easy to use. Follow our expert recommendations to unlock the full potential of your sealant.

First, clean and degrease the surfaces. Then cut off the tip of the cartridge top and screw on the nozzle included in the kit. Next, insert the cartridge or the 600 ml foil pack into the gun and fill the nozzle with the sealant by squeezing the trigger of the gun several times.

The seam depth/width ratio for seams up to 10 mm is 1:1. Minimum width and depth is 5 mm. For joints wider than 10 mm, the formula is simple: depth is width divided by 3 plus 6 mm.

Deeper joints require the use of a sealing gasket, while wider joints should be coated in triplicate, covering both sides followed by the bottom of the joint. It is also important to note that once the sealant has been applied, you must smooth the surface of the silicone with a rubber scraper and remove any excess.

With these expert recommendations, this premium innovative PU sealant and adhesive can be used safely and reliably for high quality results. We invite you to find out for yourself and make your next construction task hassle-free.