Construction Adhesive VS Wood Glue: Choosing Wisely

There are so many different types of adhesive used in craft projects. They vary both in formulas and purpose and also come in different shapes.

But the first coming to mind is undoubtedly wood glue, the specialization of which normally lies in bonding wood and construction adhesive.

In this article, you will learn about common uses and qualities of these adhesives, and find out which one will suit you best in your project.

We’ll compare Liquid Nails, the giant of the construction adhesives to wood glue formulas, which will hopefully make your woodworking adventure easier and more enjoyable.

construction adhesive vs wood glue
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Construction adhesive

This adhesive finds its use in both indoor and outdoor applications, especially if you have to work with different materials and types of surfaces.

If you need to attach drywall, tile, molding, or other fixtures, construction adhesive should be in your toolset.

There is a wide range of construction adhesives to choose from. One of the most recognized brands of such adhesives is Liquid Nails.

Their production covers a great variety of adhesives for specific environments and different construction materials.

They are also capable of holding almost any material together. Their production is great for non porous surfaces, and it can be used for processed wooden materials as well.

Common uses of construction adhesive

This type of adhesive is a must-have for construction tasks – whether it is bonding subfloors, drywall, paneling, and so on.

Once you apply construction adhesive and it dries up, the substance becomes fully waterproof and resistant to heavy weather conditions, making it a good tool in heavy-duty construction work, other outdoor projects, and home remodeling.

Construction adhesive formulas designed for the interior can safely bond wood, glass, or metal together, opening up a field of opportunities.

If you need to bond something permanently, and the situation is not urgent, this may be exactly your choice.

When speaking Liquid Nails vs wood glue, construction adhesive has an encouraging list of advantages.

Unfortunately, such substances also have downsides you should be aware of before starting the project.

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Wood glue

To begin with, wood glues are a wide range of completely different adhesives.

All they have in common is that they create a strong connection between porous surfaces and therefore bond wood well.

It does not mean wood glue can be used exclusively for woodworking projects, or for joining wood. As with other adhesives, you can apply it on various surfaces.

After wood glue is applied, it seeps into the wood fibers easily, creating a strong connection between porous surfaces.

Gorilla wood glue is often considered to be the strongest wood glue. Gorilla’s versatility doesn’t end on wood glue, as they also produce construction adhesive.

Common uses of wood glue

Its second name is carpenter’s, or woodworking glue.

This adhesive is irreplaceable in carpentry projects, as it can bond different types of wood, like pine wood with maple, or oak with mahogany wood.

Apart from that, wood glue is often used to assemble furniture. It makes bonding wood safe and easy.

With the help of wood glue, you can carry out other non-professional projects that involve porous materials.

Still, wood glue also has its disadvantages that you should note before applying it.

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Construction adhesive vs wood glue: in-depth comparison

Now we are going to compare wood glue and construction adhesive from different angles.

Strong bond

A substance’s ability to properly bond materials is one of the most important factors. Both wood glue and construction adhesive provide surfaces with a strong bond, but they are normally used for specific surfaces.

Construction adhesive: great for porous & nonporous materials

Construction adhesive, possessing a thicker consistency, creates an especially strong bond between two surfaces. As a result, once you apply it, there is pretty much no turning back.

Furthermore, construction adhesive, especially Liquid Nails, has a high gap-filling capability, so it can fill small gaps and cracks in the material, which strengthens the bond.

Another striking advantage is that construction adhesive can withstand great weights while keeping this permanent bond, which is essential for any construction site.

Wood glue: only for porous materials

Because of its capacities, wood glue creates a strong adhesion between two porous surfaces. The strength of the bond it creates scores higher than the respective wooden parts!

Still, as compared to Liquid Nails, wood glue tends to soak into the wood completely and leave out small gaps, which can make the construction somewhat fragile and create a weaker bond.

Ease of use

Various difficulties can crop up during your project, so the simplicity of usage is important as well.

Construction adhesive: tricky

Most construction adhesives will require a caulk gun to use. Such tools are sold separately, which is an additional cost to an adhesive.

Other than that, the effectiveness of construction adhesive depends on how dry and clean the surface is.

The thickness of the substance and its open assembly time make it quite difficult to reposition it after the application.

Wood glue: easier

When using wood glue, no caulk gun is required! All you need is a brush to spread the adhesive evenly on the wood surface.

For a while after being applied, wood glue still allows to reposition the bonded parts if needed. It is especially handy in small-detailed projects.

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Versatility

Even though a strong bond is important, all of us prefer our tools versatile, so we can use them for various surfaces.

Construction adhesive: versatile

Dealing with any type of material, construction adhesive can be your useful tool, which makes it irreplaceable for both construction work and everyday life.

Be it porous or non porous materials, wood, glass, metal, or plastic – fully cured construction adhesive is going to do its magic.

Wood glue: not so versatile

Wood glue can be applied to other porous surfaces, such as paper, cardboard, or even plastic.

But if you have to work with non porous surfaces, you are better off choosing other adhesives, as wood glue is likely to not bond these completely.

Heavy-duty resistance

This aspect is important when you are working outdoors and there is a risk that your work could be ruined by weather, temperature, etc.

Construction adhesive: completely waterproof

The vast majority of construction adhesives can be easily applied outdoors. This way, climate conditions, as well as moisture won’t be able to mess up the project you are working on. They are also temperature-resistant.

Wood glue: not so resistant

Although there are wood glues designed for outdoor application, most of them can’t serve well in heavy weather conditions. The temperature resistance of wood glue also fails compared to that of Liquid Nails.

Working safely & cleaning up

The safety factor is, of course, important as well. Here is a quick summary of these adhesives’ safety, but you can read the inscriptions written on these products as well.

Construction adhesive: toxic, fire-hazardous & sticky

Some construction adhesives are made up of toxic chemicals, you may require a safety suit and a helmet. Certain construction adhesive formulas aren’t suitable for indoor application, given the harmful fumes they emit while drying out.

Construction adhesives can catch fire provided they are not completely dry.

Now removing construction adhesive from your skin can be troublesome (thanks to it being waterproof), so you are better off keeping petroleum jelly, mineral spirits, or oil mixed at a proper ratio nearby.

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Wood glue: safe & easy to remove

PVA-based wood glue is not dangerous for health, so the indoor application of this adhesive won’t affect your daily life, as it is free from toxic fumes. Good ventilation is still recommendable.

Since most wood glues are normally water-based, the excessive adhesive can be cleaned up with a damp rag.

You also don’t have to worry about it sticking to your skin, as you can wash it off with warm water.

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Drying time

This one is important when we speak about moments of urgency.

Construction adhesive: generally takes more time

Construction adhesive is not a fast-drying adhesive. It takes up to days for construction adhesive to cure fully, which can halt your project.

However, Liquid Nails has designed certain formulas that provide faster results and can help you finish your work in time.

Wood glue: good for fast projects

There is no lie that the majority of wood glues win in terms of fast drying.

Their open assembly time takes up to 30 minutes, whereas most Liquid Nails formulas require even more time to assemble.

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FAQ

When looking for the best adhesive for your project, you can come up with different questions.

What is the strongest adhesive for wood?

Maximum adhesion strength can be reached by using Liquid Nails or other construction adhesives.

It can also attach wood framings to nonporous surfaces. On the other hand, Gorilla wood and other polyurethane-based glues are considered strongest when speaking of wood glues.

Is Liquid Nails better than wood glue?

Although not always, there are scenarios in which it is more recommendable to use Liquid Nails vs wood glue for woodworking projects.

Its special formula makes this construction adhesive applicable to processed wood, so if you are working with polished or painted wood, go with Liquid Nails.
Liquid Nails can also work on smooth surfaces, which is something wood glue cannot do.

Can I use wood glue instead of construction adhesive?

It all depends on the situation. If you are working with wood, and you need to bond some porous materials really fast, then you will most definitely need wood glue. It is also much easier to store and use.

But nonporous surfaces still require construction adhesive. Wood glue won’t be able to connect these well, as it is more suited for wooden bindings.

If you need to bond metal, glass, or other materials with smooth surfaces, try construction adhesive.

Conclusion

All things considered, construction adhesive vs wood glue is strictly a matter of situation.

Construction adhesive is tricky to use and it can be quite challenging and even dangerous at times. But, as a result, you get different materials attached inseparably.

Wood glue is perfect for joining wooden materials in everyday life. It is easy to apply and even easier to store, making it a great addition to your toolbox. Some wood glue formulas can even be used by children, i.e. PVA glue.

Still, when carrying out a project, it is more recommendable to give both of them a try – chances are high that you will need these two adhesives during your work. Just follow the manual instructions and pay attention to the methods of application – and joining materials together will turn out to be quite easy.

Craig Gordon

Welcome to the world of woodworking and the artistry of crafting your dream home from wood. I’m thrilled to be your guide on this journey of turning timber into cherished memories.

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