Which Construction Adhesive? Pattex PL 100, PL 150, PL 200 vs Akfix 310, MS High Tack and 610
Pick a construction adhesive by the two faces you are joining, not by the brand. If one face is absorbent (plaster, gypsum, concrete, wood, MDF) and the job is indoors, a water-based cartridge such as Pattex PL 100 or Akfix 310 is the cheapest correct answer. If both faces are non-absorbent (metal, PVC, tile, glass), step up to solvent-based Pattex PL 150 or a polymer such as Akfix MS High Tack. For mirrors, glass, wet areas or wide gaps, use Pattex PL 200; for wood that will see water, Akfix 610.
The six cartridges at a glance
Figures come from each product page and data sheet; "not published" means the maker gives no figure. Pattex is sold only by the carton of 12, so its per-cartridge price is the carton price divided by 12.
| Cartridge | Chemistry | Faces | Indoor / outdoor | Initial grab | Gap fill | Paintable | Price per cartridge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pattex PL 100, 280 ml | Water-based, solvent free | At least one absorbent | Interior only | 180 kg/m² | Up to 10 mm | Yes | KSh 740 (KSh 8,880 for 12) |
| Pattex PL 150, 380 ml | Solvent-based | Absorbent and non-absorbent | Interior and exterior | 100 to 120 kg/m² | Up to 10 mm | Yes, once dry | KSh 940 (KSh 11,280 for 12) |
| Pattex PL 200, 380 ml | FlexTec polymer, solvent and isocyanate free | Absorbent and non-absorbent, incl. mirror, glass, UPVC | Interior and exterior; can be applied wet | 50 kg/m² | Up to 20 mm | Yes, and sandable | KSh 1,430 (KSh 17,160 for 12) |
| Akfix 310, 310 ml | Acrylic dispersion, water-based | One face must be porous | Indoor and outdoor, kept dry until cured | Not published | Good on rough surfaces | Yes | KSh 500 single (KSh 10,800 for 24) |
| Akfix MS High Tack, 290 ml | Polymer; free from solvent and isocyanate | Porous and non-porous | Waterproof; facade elements listed | High; no clamps or tape | Not published | Yes | KSh 1,450 single (KSh 16,200 for 12) |
| Akfix 610, 310 ml | Polyurethane, D4 to DIN EN 204 | Porous to porous and porous to non-porous | Moisture and weather resistant | Not published; 5 to 10 min tack-free | Good filling, non-shrinking | Not published | KSh 1,450 single (KSh 16,200 for 12) |
Which cartridge for which job
| Job | Faces | First choice | Also works |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skirting and architrave onto plaster | Wood or MDF to plaster: absorbent | PL 100 or Akfix 310 | MS High Tack (skirting is on its list) |
| Gypsum cornice and ceiling rose | Gypsum to plaster or board: absorbent | PL 100 (mouldings, ceiling roses) or Akfix 310 (cornices, plaster ornaments) | None needed |
| PVC wall panels onto plaster | PVC to plaster: one absorbent face | PL 100 or Akfix 310 (both list wall panels) | MS High Tack for heavy or non-porous backgrounds |
| Polystyrene or insulation board | Foam board to wall | Akfix 310 (polystyrene foam listed) or MS High Tack (PUR, PIR, PS panels) | PL 100 for rigid polyurethane foam; 610 also lists polystyrene |
| Metal trim on blockwork | Metal to masonry | PL 150 (metal profiles onto masonry) | MS High Tack; PL 200 for trim that moves or weathers |
| Outdoor fascia and cladding | Board to masonry or frame, exterior | PL 150 (fascia and cladding boards) | PL 200 or MS High Tack (wall cladding, facade elements) |
| Wet areas | Any, with splash or damp | PL 200 (wet surfaces, wet areas) | Akfix 610 for wood in bathrooms and kitchens; MS High Tack is waterproof |
| Mirror and glass | Non-absorbent, sensitive backing | PL 200 or Akfix 900N | MS High Tack (mirrors and glass listed) |
| Wood onto wood outdoors | Absorbent, exposed to water | Akfix 610 (D4; decks listed) | See our wood glue guide for joinery |
None of these product pages names WPC panels, so for WPC send us the panel details first.
The Pattex three: PL 100 vs PL 150 vs PL 200
PL 100: interior, absorbent, strongest grab
Henkel's water-based grade has the highest initial grab of the three, 180 kg/m², so skirting stays where you press it. It needs at least one absorbent face, is interior only, is not for permanent water contact and bridges gaps to 10 mm. Henkel asks that heavy items are supported for at least 24 hours.
PL 150: the solvent all-rounder
PL 150 dries by solvent evaporation, so it works on absorbent and non-absorbent faces alike: brick, ceramics, concrete, drywall, MDF, wood, metal and rigid PVC. Henkel publishes it for interior and exterior use. It is water-resistant but not for constant moisture, and must not be used on polyethylene, PTFE or acrylic glass. It is solvent-based, so ventilate and keep it away from flame.
PL 200: flexible, wet-safe, mirror-safe
PL 200 costs more, but not because it is stronger: its final strength is about 3.0 N/mm² against up to 6 N/mm² for PL 100 and PL 150, and its grab is 50 kg/m². What you pay for is flexibility, mirror, glass and UPVC safety, application on wet surfaces and even under water, a 20 mm gap and a sealing function. Do not use it on polyethylene, polypropylene, PTFE, acrylic glass, plasticised PVC, copper or brass.
The Akfix three: 310, MS High Tack and 610
Akfix 310 is the budget, paintable choice for skirting, trims, cornices, polystyrene ceiling tiles and wall panels; one face must be porous and the joint kept dry until cured. MS High Tack holds heavy items on porous and non-porous faces without clamps or tape. Akfix 610 is a D4 polyurethane for wood in bathrooms, kitchens and decks. Not sure you need an adhesive at all? Start with adhesive vs silicone vs foam.
The two traps behind most failed jobs
1. Water-based adhesive between two non-absorbent faces
PL 100 and Akfix 310 are both water-based, and both need at least one porous face: Henkel states plainly that PL 100 will not cure if both faces are non-absorbent, and Akfix require one of the two surfaces to be porous. Between metal and tile, PVC and glass, or tile and tile, use PL 150, PL 200 or MS High Tack instead.
2. Solvent near mirror backing and polystyrene
As general guidance, solvent-based adhesives can damage the painted backing of a mirror and can soften expanded polystyrene. Of the three Pattex grades, Henkel names only PL 200 for mirrors, and Akfix makes a dedicated neutral-cure mirror adhesive, 900N, which it describes as bonding mirrors without harming them. For polystyrene, stay with the products that list it: Akfix 310, MS High Tack or 610. For the full mirror method, read how to fix a mirror without drilling.
Where to buy
All six cartridges are in our construction and montage adhesives collection; see also the Pattex and Akfix ranges, with Akfix data sheets attached to the product pages. Collect from our Nairobi trade counter at Royal Business Park, opposite Complast, Old Mombasa Road, Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 17:30, where pickup is free, or order for countrywide delivery at a flat KSh 350, free on orders over KSh 15,000. Fit-out contractors buying by the carton can request a trade quote on our trade page. To check a job before you buy, message us on WhatsApp.
Common questions
Is construction adhesive the same as "no more nails"?
"No more nails" is a common name for this kind of cartridge: a gun-applied adhesive that holds skirting, trims and panels without nails or screws. Any of the six here does that; the faces, location and moisture decide which.
PL 100 or PL 150 for skirting?
Onto plaster indoors, PL 100. It has the higher initial grab, is solvent free and is cheaper per cartridge. Choose PL 150 when the skirting or trim goes onto a non-absorbent face such as tile or metal, or outdoors.
Can I use construction adhesive instead of silicone to seal a joint?
Of these, only PL 200 is published as both an adhesive and a sealant. The others are adhesives; for sealing joints see which silicone sealant to use.