What Are Adhesives?
Adhesives are bonding agents used to hold materials together, temporarily or permanently. They're used in woodworking, construction, automotive, home repairs, and crafts. Choosing the right adhesive is just as important as choosing the right fastener. Use the wrong one, and the bond may fail under stress, heat, or moisture.
Types of Adhesives and Their Uses
White Glue (PVA)
- Best For: Wood, paper, cloth, porous surfaces
- Set Time: Slow to medium
- Strength: Good
- Notes: Interior use only, not water-resistant, easy to clean up
Yellow Glue (Carpenter’s Glue)
- Best For: Wood, soft surfaces
- Set Time: Faster than white glue
- Strength: Very good
- Notes: Slight water resistance, commonly used in woodworking
Liquid Hide Glue
- Best For: Wood furniture and repairs
- Set Time: Slow
- Strength: Very strong
- Notes: Excellent for antique restoration, reversible with heat/moisture
Polyurethane Glue
- Best For: Wood, metal, stone, ceramics
- Set Time: Fast
- Strength: Very strong
- Notes: Expands as it cures, water-resistant, wear gloves (sticky)
Construction Adhesive
- Best For: Subflooring, drywall, paneling, molding
- Set Time: Slow (can take 24 hours)
- Strength: Very strong
- Notes: Thick, fills gaps well, excellent for rough surfaces
Contact Cement
- Best For: Laminates, veneers, rubber, leather
- Set Time: Immediate
- Strength: Strong (once contact is made)
- Notes: Apply to both surfaces, let dry, then press together. Not repositionable.
Hot Glue (Glue Gun)
- Best For: Crafts, temporary holding, plastics, wood
- Set Time: Seconds
- Strength: Low to medium
- Notes: Quick fix option, not structural, weak under heat
Two-Part Epoxy
- Best For: Metal, tile, fiberglass, concrete, plastics
- Set Time: Varies (5 min to several hours)
- Strength: Extremely strong
- Notes: Very durable, chemical-resistant, sandable and paintable
Super Glue (CA or Instant Adhesive)
- Best For: Non-porous surfaces like ceramics, glass, hard plastic
- Set Time: Seconds
- Strength: Very strong but brittle
- Notes: Not good for flexing materials, small bond area, dries out fast in tube
Other Considerations When Choosing Adhesives
- 1Flexibility - Some adhesives dry brittle (like CA glue), while others can flex (like construction adhesive or polyurethane). If your materials expand and contract, go for flexible.
- 2Moisture and Heat Resistance - If the bond will be exposed to weather or high heat, avoid white glue or hot glue. Epoxy, polyurethane, and construction adhesive are better options.
- 3Open Time and Set Time - Open time is how long you can adjust pieces after applying. Set time is how long it takes to form a bond. Fast-setting adhesives are great for speed, but you’ll have less room for error.
- 4Paintability and Sandability - If the adhesive will be part of a finished surface (like in trim work), you’ll want one that can be sanded and painted, such as wood glue or epoxy.
- 5Gap Filling - Some adhesives like epoxy, polyurethane, and construction adhesive can fill gaps. Others, like contact cement and super glue, require tight-fitting joints.
- 6Clamping Requirements - Many adhesives require clamping during cure time. Know how long and how much pressure is needed to get a strong bond.
Common Adhesive Mistakes
Final Thoughts
Adhesives aren’t one-size-fits-all. Take a few minutes to understand your materials, your environment, and how much time you have to work with. That will help you pick the adhesive that holds up, finishes clean, and makes the job easier, not harder. Keep a few different types on hand so you’re ready no matter what the project throws at you.