Get the right glue for your latest project

Q: I am planning some home improvement projects and many suggest using glue, but don’t specify the type. My hardware store has about 50 types of glue. What type of glue should I use for what? — Kyle B.

A: Many do-it-yourselfers think using glue on projects is the nonprofessional, easy way to assemble parts. Actually nothing could be further from the truth. Construction adhesives and glues are commonly used by professionals, and using them often creates the strongest finished product.

The reason there are so many types of glues is there are about as many types of adhesive applications and materials. What the strongest glue is for one material may provide no adhesive strength on another. It would be wise to plan on buying several types of glues on your next visit to the hardware store.

You can read the packaging carefully to decide which glues are effective on which materials. It also helps to understand how glues bond two pieces together so you can make a more intelligent buying decision for your specific needs.

One way glue holds two pieces together is mechanically. The liquid glue flows into cracks and pores of the materials and hardens to lock them together. The other way is by a chemical bond where the glue actually has an attraction to the materials. The former type of glues are effective on porous materials such as wood, paper and fabric, and the latter type is better for glass and polished metals.

Before you head to the hardware store, review your projects and determine the types of materials you will be trying to glue together. It also helps to determine if you will be able to clamp the two pieces together. Some glues expand and may push the pieces apart and others need to be motionless for hours while they cure. Also consider if any will be exposed to moisture. An excellent glue to use on many projects has a urethane base. It expands slightly as it cures, so it helps if you are able to apply a clamp to pieces.

Urethane glue technically cures, not dries, when it comes in contact with moisture from the wood or the room air. If your parts don’t fit perfectly together, this works well to fill the gap as it expands.

If you are not sure if a glue is urethane based, contact these manufacturers for their urethane trade names: Elmer’s, Franklin Adhesives and Gorilla Glue, among others.