The glue that best suits your project depends on a few factors: desired strength, materials used, allotted time, and if you need the connection to be waterproof or not. Whether you’re building an advanced woodworking project or crafting a simple DIY, it’s important to know which type of wood glue will give you the best results.
Polyvinyl Acetate
When a project instructs you use wood glue, it most likely means polyvinyl acetate (PVA), unless otherwise specified. This glue is inexpensive, nontoxic, and very efficient—though you should still consult the manufacturer’s instructions for accurate uses, clamp duration, and recommended drying time. And while soap and water clean-up (while wet) may tempt you to “apply liberally”, take care where the glue touches, as it can inhibit stain from soaking into the wood once dry. This highly-effective bonding agent contains a cross-linking polyvinyl acetate which gives it water-resistant properties, thus it can be used on most outdoor projects. PVA has a modest tack, so you can make slight adjustments before it sets and should use clamps for 20-30 minutes to ensure a strong hold.
Common Uses: basic indoor woodworking, some outdoor woodworking, hobbies and crafts, cracked furniture.
White vs. Yellow PVA: Not all PVA glues are created equal. White PVA (craft glue) is a basic water-based vinyl emulsion that turns into a rubberlike solid when the water evaporates—strong enough for school projects and paper crafts, but it won’t take stain and releases its grip when soaked in hot water, making it unsuitable for exterior repairs. Yellow PVA (wood glue), which contains aliphatic resins, is a step up in strength and creates a stronger wood-to-wood bond, making it the better choice for furniture and cabinetry.
Elmer’s E7290 Carpenter’s Wood Glue Max, 4 Ounces
Epoxy-Based
Epoxy-based glue is a solid choice for a variety of projects and is made from two components: a resin and a hardener. Both of these agents are liquid but once mixed together, a chemical reaction takes place that allows for a strong hold. It takes a little longer for this glue to cure, so it’s recommended that you clamp down your work for the ultimate bond. Many epoxy wood glues are intended for indoor use, so be sure to double-check product labels for a water-resistant glue if you making something for outside. Be cautious when using with this material; work in a well-ventilated space and mix small batches.
Common Uses: filling in gaps, bonding pieces of wood together
Loctite .85 fl oz Quick Set Epoxy
Polyurethane
One of the most durable wood glues is polyurethane. This strong, versatile glue is perfect for both indoor and outdoor projects due to its waterproof qualities. Polyurethane dries a natural-looking color, so it blends in seamlessly with wood. This substance cures in the presence of water, so you need to wet the surface of wood before applying the glue for the ultimate bond. Once the glue has dried, it can be sanded down and painted or stained.
Common Uses: indoor and outdoor applications, wood, plastic, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, concrete, fabric
Tom Silva, general contractor on This Old House, has used polyurethane glue to secure deck boards on several TV show projects and can attest to the permanence of the bond. As he has noted: “You don’t want to use it on anything that’s temporary.” That’s because polyurethane glues cure by drawing moisture from the wood or the air, triggering the molecules to cross-link and form a dense network of very strong, stable bonds that are extremely difficult to break.
Pro Tip: Norm Abram, master carpenter on This Old House, explains how he decides between glue types: “Polyurethane, my problem-solver, works on wet or oily woods, less-than-perfect joints, and pieces that will be left outside.” Unlike yellow carpenter’s glue, polyurethane is solvent-based and foams as it hardens, so Norm recommends waiting until it’s fully cured before scraping off any squeeze-out rather than wiping it with a damp sponge.
Cyanoacrylate
Often referred to as “super glue”, cyanoacrylate (CA) is generally used for small, quick repairs due to its speedy curing process. A hard, plastic-like bond occurs when this glue dries, but be careful because it can adhere to your skin in seconds. A gel-style CA is available which tends to stay in place better than the original formula.
Common Uses: small-scale fixes, hobbies and crafts
Krazy Glue Home & Office Brush On Super Glue, 5 Grams
Hide Glue
Hide glue derives from rendered animal collagen and is one of the oldest known bonding agents, having been used for centuries. It’s nontoxic, has a strong tack, can be stained, and comes in a variety of strengths and colors. If you’ve ever worked with a hot glue gun, you’ve used this substance, as it’s what the glue sticks are made from. Some hide glues need to be heated and brushed on, while others come in a bottle with an applicator. It’s a popular choice because once cooled, the glue can be heated up again and manipulated as needed; this makes it the ideal adherent for antique and fabric repairs because it is reversible. This glue comes in handy for most projects, unless you need a waterproof option.
Common Uses: antiques, creating attractive “crackling” effects, cloth, glass, and leather, ideal for furniture, musical instruments, and veneer work
Pro Tip: Hide glue is described by This Old House Magazine as not just reversible but also renewable — new glue can be applied directly over old hide glue, unlike most modern adhesives that require old residue to be completely removed before regluing. This makes it the go-to choice for furniture conservators working on antique pieces that may need future repairs.
Traditional vs. Bottled: According to This Old House Magazine, bottled hide glue forms much stronger bonds than the traditional cooked variety but lacks the latter’s quick tack — the ability to grab surfaces on contact. Traditional hide glue, heated in a pot to keep it liquid, offers that instant grip that furniture conservators prize when reassembling complex joints.
