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From furniture making to house building to woodworking projects, wood glue is a versatile supply that every handyperson should have on hand. To help you find the right adhesive for your project, the This Old House Review Team researched the best wood glues on Amazon. Here are our favorite options.
Compare Top Wood Glues
| Product | Size | Drying Time | Drying Color | Formula |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gorilla Wood Glue | 36-ounce bottle | 20 to 30 minutes | Brown | Water-resistant |
| Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue | 36-ounce bottle | 1 hour | Brown | Waterproof |
| Krazy Glue Wood Glue | 30-gram bottle | 6 minutes | Clear | Water-resistant |
| Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue | 16-ounce bottle | 24 hour curing time | Brown | Waterproof |
| STARBOND Super Glue | Two-ounce bottle | 5 seconds | Clear | Waterproof |
| Product | Size | Drying Time | Drying Color | Formula |
Best For Large Projects: Gorilla Wood Glue
Gorilla Wood Glue
- $15.69
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Rated for indoor and outdoor use
✔ Dries to a natural color
✔ Works on composite wood as well as real wood
✘ Has specific application and storage temperature recommendations
✘ Has a water-resistant formula instead of a waterproof one
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased that this glue worked on several types of wood, offered strong adhesion, and used a fast-drying formula. However, some customers struggled with the bottle, stating that it leaked from its nozzle. Once the glue hardened, the nozzle was difficult to unclog.
Strongest Hold: Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue
Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue
- $8.15
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can clean up excess glue with water
✔ Can sand over it without softening the bond
✔ Has a safe solvent-free formula
✘ Has a light brown dried color that may not match all wood finishes
✘ Has a long clamp and cure time
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers praised this wood glue for being water-resistant and food-safe. They also mentioned its well-designed bottle. Some users did say that the bottle was too small to tackle big projects. Others said that it arrived with a clogged dispenser.
Fastest Drying: Krazy Glue Wood Glue
Krazy Glue Wood Glue
- $16.29
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Can wash and sand over it
✔ Dries clear for minimal visibility
✔ Works on maple, pine, birch, oak, and more
✘ Takes longer than six minutes to dry in humid conditions
✘ Comes in a small one-ounce bottle
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who gave this wood glue positive reviews said that it was long-lasting, fast-acting, and easy to use. However, negative reviews said that the adhesion wasn’t particularly strong and that the instructions were difficult to read.
Best For Outdoor Use: Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue
Elmer’s Carpenter’s Wood Glue
- $13.85
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Resists mold and mildew growth
✔ Comes in a large 16-ounce bottle
✔ Doesn’t have harmful fumes
✘ Requires 24 hours to fully cure
✘ Has a bulky bottle that may be difficult to grip
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who left positive reviews for this product said that it had a strong bond and a fast drying time. Select customers didn’t like how thick it was. Others had issues with the glue in the bottle drying out.
Best For Repairs: STARBOND Super Glue
STARBOND Super Glue
- $13.99
- $17
- 18% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Comes with extension tips for precision work
✔ Can last for up to 30 months in storage
✔ Works on leather, rubber, and other materials besides wood
✘ Not as strong as typical wood glue
✘ Can bond your skin if you don’t wear gloves
What Customers Are Saying
Customers liked how thin this glue was because it penetrated cracks quickly and easily. They also said that it arrived well-packaged. However, users warned about applying it correctly the first try because as soon as it hit a surface, it hardened.
Types of Wood Glue
If you’re not a carpenter, it can be confusing to determine which wood glue to use and when to use it. Some glues work better than others depending on the wood you’re building with and the conditions you’re working under. For more information, read about the different types of wood glue below.
Hide
Hide glue, which is made using collagen from animal skin, comes in both liquid and solid forms. It creates flexible, long-lasting joints, but it needs to be warm and diluted to work properly.
PVA
PVA glue is one of the most widely used types of wood glue. It is non-toxic, easy to clean, and versatile. The biggest drawback to PVA glue is that it leaves behind a residue.
Polyurethane
Polyurethane glue is waterproof, so it’s useful for outdoor projects. It doesn’t dry out sensitive wood fibers either. However, because it’s toxic, it can irritate your skin if it gets on you.
CA
CA glue is meant for small repairs or temporary bonds. It can stick on both porous and nonporous surfaces, bonding almost instantly at room temperature. However, CA glue shouldn’t make contact with your skin. It can also be too thin and runny for some woods.
Epoxy
Epoxy isn’t technically a wood glue. It’s typically used to coat and protect wood, concrete, and other surfaces. However, you can use it to join multiple materials together. It does take a long time to apply because it has a two-step process with a resin and a hardener. Once you apply it, it takes a few hours to cure.
Buyer’s Guide
After type, consider a wood glue’s strength, drying time, shelf life, viscosity, and color.
Strength
Wood glues can provide permanent or temporary bonds. For example, PVA and polyurethane fall into the former category, while CA is the latter type. If you’re building a piece of furniture, you want it to stay together permanently, so use a strong glue. For quick, minor repairs, a CA glue should suffice.
Drying Time
Think about how quickly you need your wood to dry. For fast projects, focus on epoxy or CA glue. However, if adhesive strength is more important to you than cure time and you’re fine with waiting longer, then stick with PVA or polyurethane glue.
Shelf Life
Different types of wood glue last longer than others, which may be a consideration if you’re only using a little of a large bottle. PVA and polyurethane glues last in storage for about a year before they begin to lose their effectiveness. CA glue can last much longer if it’s kept at the proper temperature.
Viscosity
Wood glue viscosity varies based on the type and brand. PVA, polyurethane, and epoxy glues are usually thicker than hide and CA glues. Glues with a thinner viscosity are better for filling small gaps or cracks, while thick glue is meant to join pieces of wood together.
Color
Some glue, such as PVA glue, dries tan or brown to match the wood it’s filling. Others, including CA and epoxy, apply and dry clear. If neither of these options are right for your project, you can usually sand over the glue and stain or paint it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I clamp glued wood together?
Check the individual instructions to see how long your wood glue needs to stay clamped. Standard PVA glue usually needs 20 or 30 minutes of clamping time. After that, you have to let it cure for an additional 24 hours. CA glue, on the other hand, dries almost instantly without clamping.
What’s the difference between using wood glue and using screws?
Glue is stronger than screws when it comes to joining two pieces of wood together. That’s because the screws only secure the specific places you use them in. However, with glue, you can apply it to the entire surface. For smaller projects, screws alone should suffice. If you need extra strength, you can use both wood and glue.
Is wood glue waterproof?
Many wood glues are waterproof or water-resistant. If your glue isn’t at least water-resistant, you shouldn’t use it outside.
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