We evaluated each product based on its type, recommended applications, and dry time. Then, we spoke with woodworking expert Forrest McCall of Mama Needs A Project for insights on the best wood glues. We determined that one wood glue that works for everything is Titebond III Ultimate Wood Glue. It’s strong and dries fast, and you can use it inside and outside. Here are the best wood glues for all your home projects. The Titebond Ultimate Wood Glue offers an open assembly time of up to 10 minutes, and you can apply it in temperatures as low as 47 degrees. It dries down to a light brown color, and wood finishes don’t affect it. This wood glue is even FDA approved for indirect food contact, making it safe to use in the kitchen. You can buy it in a variety of container sizes, ranging from 8 ounces up to 1 gallon. But it seems thinner than other wood glues, so be careful when applying it. When Elmer’s Wood Glue dries, it turns a yellow color that may displease some, but you can paint or stain it to achieve the look you want. This wood glue is only suitable for indoor projects, but it’s a good inexpensive choice for those who don’t do much woodworking. Titebond Original sands extremely well, and finishes or solvents, such as paint thinner, don’t affect it. It cleans up using just water, and it’s also FDA-approved for indirect food contact. You can buy this product in a variety of container sizes, ranging from 8 ounces to 5-gallon pails, and it costs less than other types of Titebond wood glue. When working with Gorilla Ultimate Wood Glue, you have the benefit of an open assembly time of up to 15 minutes, and the glued-up project needs only 20 to 30 minutes of clamp time. You can apply it in temperatures as low as 50 degrees, and it cleans up easily with water. Plus, it can bond materials besides wood, including plastic, metal, ceramic, rubber, leather, and more. The only downside is you have to keep the bottle’s nozzle clean during use; otherwise, it clogs easily. This wood glue is best for use on hardwoods, softwoods, and natural wood composites, and it needs only 20 to 30 minutes of clamp time for the bond to take hold. Clean up any excess glue with water. But note: This product has a fairly high application temperature, functioning best at 55 degrees or higher. All you have to do to use the hot glue is load them into a hot-glue gun and press the trigger. The gun melts the glue to the perfect temperature for bonding, and you then can apply it right to your project. Work fairly quickly, as the glue sets fast. It dries to a natural tan color that blends in with your project. While the glue isn’t as strong as traditional wood glue, its easy application makes it a useful tool for drafters and DIY enthusiasts. This glue is easy to sand, and it dries clear, so you can paint it to match your project. Wood finishes don’t affect it, and you can even use it to fill in small gaps and cracks in wood or other materials. You can clean up the non-toxic formula with water. But a downside is its short open-assembly time, just 3 to 5 minutes, so you need to work quickly while using it. Another major benefit of Titebond Hide Glue is it offers better “creep resistance” than other wood glues. This means the bond is less likely to stretch, a result that can leave the glue visible. Additionally, we like that you can use this product to create an antique-looking crackling effect on wood when applied over latex paint. The hide glue also offers excellent sandability, and you can apply it at temperatures over 50 degrees. Epoxy wood glue, such as this product, features numerous benefits. The glue doesn’t shrink or foam, as often happens with PVA wood glue, and you can apply it in temperatures as low as 40 degrees. You can sand down squeeze-out or paint it in as little as one hour. We like the J-B WoodWeld tube’s resealable cap, which allows you to dispense just a little bit at a time to reduce waste. You can use it on rotted wood, and its waterproof bond is ideal for outdoor applications. This type of glue is often used when installing sub-floors and construction joints, and the 10-ounce jars are designed to be used via a caulking gun, making it easy to apply. The glue has a fairly long open assembly time, up to 20 minutes, but it does need to be clamped for 24 hours for best results.
Dry Time
If you look on the label of any wood glue, you likely find a clamp time and a cure time. Clamp time refers to how long the pieces need strong pressure to hold them together; this helps the glue set properly. Cure time refers to how long the glue takes to fully dry. If your project is difficult to clamp, look for a fast-curing wood glue that requires no clamping.
Application Temperature
Most wood glues have specific temperature ranges for optimum effectiveness—typically 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s important to check the temperature range listed on the product, especially if you work in extremely hot or cold conditions. If you use wood glue outside the recommended temperature range, it may take longer to set, or it may form a weaker bond.
Moisture Resistance
Certain wood glues form water-resistant bonds, making them ideal for outdoor applications; others shouldn’t be exposed to moisture. Often, you see products labeled Type I or Type II, which refers to how they’re tested by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Hardwood Plywood and Veneer Association (HPVA). Type I products are considered waterproof; Type II products are only water-resistant.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. While researching wood glues, she spoke with woodworking expert Forrest McCall of Mama Needs A Project for insights on the different types of glue available, and she also got tips from her partner, who has worked for nearly a decade as a finish carpenter. Using their guidance, she researched and evaluated different wood glues on factors such as their recommended uses, clamp time, open assembly time, application temperature, and more. She prioritized glues that could be used for a variety of applications, looking for non-toxic formulas that are easy to clean up.
