The glue aisle at your home improvement store has a wide variety of different types of adhesive. Some products are designed for wood, while others work better with ceramic. Some are meant for indoors, and others are meant for outdoors. If you’re new to DIY, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer selection of products.
If you don’t know which type of glue you need, This Old House‘s Tom Silva is here to help. Watch as he demonstrates how different glues work and which ones work best for different projects.
Types of Glues and Their Uses
There are five main types of glue at the store. Here’s the essential info on each one:
Polyurethane Glue
Polyurethane glue is a versatile adhesive that’s ideal for joining dissimilar materials, like wood and ceramic. It’s moisture-activated, but stays waterproof once it sets.
To use polyurethane glue, mist the surfaces lightly with water to get a good grip. Don’t apply too much glue at once. “This will expand up to two to three times its size,” says Silva. He also recommends clamping or weighing down the glued pieces so they don’t come apart as the adhesive expands, especially for sensitive locations like flooring. If glue does ooze out, you can wipe it off with a rag or sand it down once it sets for a clean, smooth joint.
Wood Glue
As the name implies, wood glue is best for bonding wood to wood, and it’s a staple to have in any woodworker or carpenter’s shop. “All the time, we use it on the jobsite, from gluing up moldings, making cabinets, gluing wood together,” Silva says. You can also use it to make wide boards out of narrow pieces of wood, such as for building a tabletop.
Wood glue is easy to clean up with a damp rag while the glue is wet. When it sets, however, it forms a tough, lasting bond that is typically stronger than the wood itself.
Construction Adhesive
Construction adhesive is a heavy-duty option compared to polyurethane and wood glue. It’s suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, works well with dissimilar materials, has a quick bond, and is weatherproof. “When you’re on a jobsite, it could rain, or you could get snow and ice. This stuff bonds when the wood’s wet,” says Silva. It often comes in tubes like caulk, so you can apply it to the surface with a caulk gun for precise joints.
As a DIYer, you may use construction adhesive for tasks like gluing down subfloors and insulating crawl spaces or foundations. “It won’t eat the foam,” Silva says.
Super Glue
Super glue, also known as cyanoacrylate adhesive, is perfect for quick fixes, small projects, and preliminary steps like making temporary claims for templates. Once you apply it, it sets extremely quickly, sometimes within 30 seconds. “I use it on the job site. I always carry a little one in my apron all the time because this is really handy,” says Silva.
Epoxy
Epoxy is a strong two-part adhesive that can help you fill gaps and repair wood surfaces. You dispense equal parts of the epoxy components and mix them together with a popsicle stick to activate the adhesive. Then, apply it with the stick. Apply it within a fixed time frame as it sets quickly.
Choosing the Right Glue for Specific Materials
The appropriate adhesive for different materials can make all the difference for a project’s success. Here’s a guide to help you choose the right glue for common materials:
- Wood: For wood-to-wood bonding, wood glue is typically the best choice. For outdoor projects, or if you’re bonding wood to other materials, choose polyurethane glue or construction adhesive.
- Metal: When working with metal, epoxy or polyurethane glue often provides the best results. For smaller metal repairs, super glue may be better.
- Plastic: Super glue works well for many plastics. However, a two-part epoxy might be more suitable for larger plastic pieces or when bonding plastic to other materials.
- Ceramic and glass: Super glue can work for small ceramic and glass fixes. For larger pieces, choose epoxy or polyurethane glue instead.
- Foam: When working with foam, especially for insulation purposes, construction adhesive is often the best choice. Some adhesives can dissolve foam.
Glue Safety Considerations
When working with adhesives, prioritize safety by taking these precautions:
- Work in a well-ventilated area, especially when using strong-smelling adhesives like epoxy. Some adhesives can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), so proper ventilation reduces health risks.
- Wear gloves to protect your skin from irritation.
- Use eye protection when applying overhead or when there’s a risk of splashing.
- Keep adhesives out of reach of children and pets.
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper storage and disposal. Always store adhesive in its original containers and tightly sealed to prevent accidental spillage or exposure.