Best Wood Glue

When most people think about glue, they picture the liquid white glue that they used in school. This is a type of paper glue that works well when securing construction paper together but will not work well on wood surfaces. If you took even a few seconds to check out the product matrix at the top of the page, you know that wood glue comes in a few different types. Traditional wood glues dry to a finish that matches a piece of wood, while super glue often dries to a white or clear finish. We’ll go over all the top types of wood glue and what you can use with those adhesives.

• Super Glue: Super glue is the generic term given to products that use cyanoacrylate. Most super glues have either a very thick or a very thin consistency. When working with wood, you must choose one with a thicker consistency to keep the glue from spreading out from where you apply it. Though super glue can form a tight bond, you should only use it as a temporary solution. Super glue is not water-resistant or waterproof and generally cannot withstand much weight.
• PVA Glue: The Titebond product that made our list is an example of a PVA glue. PVA stands for polyvinyl acetate and is one of the more common types of wood glues. It may look white or yellow in the bottle, but some products actually look brown or tan before it dries. This type goes on smoothly and dries fairly quickly. The downside is that the glue can actually break off the wood over time. If you need to fix the repair later, you may have a hard time scrapping off all the old glue.
• Hide Glue: Have you ever heard someone joke about sending a horse or another animal off to the glue factory? Those jokes have a basis in reality. The hides on horses and other animals have materials that manufacturers use to make this type of glue. While not as common today as it once was, you can still readily find bottles for sale online. It’s a good option for those who want a tight and secure bond and those who can afford to spend more money on glue. Hide glue is usually neither water-resistant or waterproof.
• Epoxy: A great option for most woodworking enthusiasts is an epoxy such as the product from J-B Weld that made our list of the best wood glues. An epoxy actually features two different compounds that you mix together. Most packages come with a tube of resin and a tube that acts as a hardener. You’ll apply equal parts of the two compounds to a piece of paper and mix the products together. While an epoxy requires more prep work and takes longer to dry than other wood glues do, it forms a much more durable bond. You can also mold the epoxy to fill in broken areas or missing decorations on a piece of wood.
• Polyurethane Glue: If you ever refinished your deck or a piece of lawn furniture before, you probably used a type of polyurethane. Polyurethane glue is really the best type of wood glue for use on items that you’ll use or store outside. Once you apply a coat of the glue to a piece of wood, it will dry very quickly. The glue works with the natural moisture in the wood, which helps it cure faster. Polyurethane products form a waterproof bond that can last for years. The main issue with this type of glue is that it can change the finish of the wood.