Guide to Glue and Wood

To help you form the strongest bonds and ensure your woodworking projects look great and run smoothly— here’s our guide to using glue with wood to so you don’t get yourself into a sticky situation. 

Let’s take a look at some of the common surface combinations and factors to take into consideration when using glue on wood. 

How to glue wood to wood

There are several glues that work well for use with wood. Some factors to consider include: the other surface you’ll be gluing the wood to, whether you need the bond to be waterproof, how quickly you require the glue to set and whether or not you will be able to clamp the pieces in place.

If you’re able to clamp the wood pieces and allow the glue to set, then of course use wood glue. If you are in need of a quicker fix, or the parts are too small to clamp, cyanoacrylate glue (super glue) actually works quite well and will set almost immediately—no clamps required. If your project requires a waterproof solution, a polyurethane glue (Gorilla Glue) will offer a strong waterproof bond. Always remember to read the instructions and follow any warnings/ cautions that appear on the label when using any glue.

How to glue wood to glass

Whenever gluing anything to glass, keep in mind how any excess adhesive might affect the aesthetics of your project. If this is important— it may be wise to stick with a clear adhesive. The water resistant bond between glass and wood (for example in a window frame) can be achieved with a silicon adhesive. If you don’t need something with quite so much sticking power, a hot glue gun may be a safer bet. Whatever glue you use, be sure to clean both surfaces before beginning.

How to glue wood to metal

Polyurethane-based adhesives which expand when curing, like Gorilla Glue, are ideal for gluing wood to metal. Because wood shrinks and expands due to moisture in the air and metal shrinks and expands with temperature; the trick is to find an adhesive both strong and flexible enough to be up for the job. Always remember to read the instructions and follow any warnings/ cautions that appear on the label when using any glue.