Using Hybrid Polymer Adhesive

Which products?

Suitable examples include high-quality hybrid polymer adhesives such as Soudal Fix ALL, CT1, or Evo-Stik Serious Stuff — or equivalent products designed for interior construction and finishing. While old-style grab adhesives often dry brittle and crack over time, these advanced formulas cure by drawing moisture from the surrounding air, creating a resilient bond that accommodates natural seasonal temperature changes without splitting.

Fixing in tricky or hollow areas — including steel lintels

Adhesive is an invaluable helper in areas where getting a firm mechanical grip is highly challenging. If you encounter a very thick steel lintel above the window that is too hard to comfortably drill a pilot hole for screws, clean the surface thoroughly and apply a continuous bead of high-quality hybrid polymer adhesive along the top of the shutter frame. This will secure the top track flush against the lintel as a supplementary bonding aid where mechanical fixing alone cannot achieve full contact, while mechanical screws handle the primary structural weight on the left, right, and bottom tracks. The same approach applies to a hollow cavity spot where a screw cannot bite securely — bond that specific frame edge, and screw the rest of the frame firmly into solid building fabric.

Suitable surfaces

Forms an exceptional bond across solid timber, painted wood, MDF composites, cured plaster, concrete, brickwork, and uPVC trims.

Surface preparation

All surfaces must be clean, dry, and entirely free of dust, loose paint, grease, or crumbling plaster skimming. Brush away all drilling dust before applying.

Cleaning excess material

Wipe away any wet squeeze-out immediately using a damp cloth or clean solvent wipes. If the adhesive has cured, it can be sliced away cleanly using a sharp utility knife without damaging the frame finish.

Painting & finishes

Fully paintable once completely cured. Standard interior emulsion, satin, or gloss paints can be applied directly over the cured seam to blend with your walls.

Storage & preservation

Keep tubes in cool, dry conditions out of direct frost. After opening a tube, insert a small screw or tight cap into the nozzle tip to seal out air and preserve the remaining product.

Common questions

Can I use grab adhesive to mount the main frame?

Adhesive should never be used as the only method to hold up a shutter frame — mechanical screws are required to support the structural weight over time. However, a high-quality hybrid polymer adhesive is an excellent installation aid when mechanical fixings are incredibly difficult to achieve: a very thick structural steel lintel at the top of the window reveal, or a hollow cavity section where a standard wall plug cannot grip. Bond that section of the frame to keep it completely stable, provided the rest of the frame is firmly screwed into solid building fabric.

Can I use decorators' caulk?

Yes — decorators' caulk is perfect for sealing the small, final perimeter joints between the frame and the wall plaster, as it expands and contracts without cracking. For deeper gaps, see our guide to filling deep gaps and masking edges cleanly.