Question 1

What adhesive should I use for wood to wood?

Accepted Answer

For interior wood-to-wood joints, PVA wood glue (white or yellow) is the standard choice — it is cheap, strong when clamped, and dries clear. For exterior or high-moisture joints, use D3 or D4 rated PVA (water-resistant) or polyurethane wood glue (e.g. Gorilla Glue). For structural timber connections, use a structural adhesive like an epoxy or polyurethane that meets the required British Standard.

Question 2

What is grab adhesive and when should I use it?

Accepted Answer

Grab adhesive (e.g. Gripfill, No More Nails, Sticks Like) is a thick, gap-filling adhesive that provides instant "grab" — it holds materials in place without clamping. Use it for fixing skirting boards, dado rails, coving, panels, worktop upstands, and light fixtures to walls. It is not a structural adhesive and should not be relied upon for load-bearing connections without mechanical fixings.

Question 3

When should I use epoxy adhesive?

Accepted Answer

Epoxy (two-part resin + hardener) provides the strongest bond and fills gaps well. Use it for: bonding different materials (metal to wood, concrete to metal), repairing broken stone or concrete, structural bonding, bonding in wet or underwater conditions (with marine epoxy), and high-strength applications. Standard 5-minute epoxy is convenient but weaker; slow-cure (24-hour) epoxy gives the strongest bond.

Question 4

What temperature can I apply adhesives?

Accepted Answer

Most construction adhesives require a minimum of 5°C for application and curing. Below this, cure times extend dramatically and bond strength may be compromised. PVA should not be used below 5°C — it can freeze and the bond will fail. Epoxy also slows significantly in cold conditions. Some grab adhesives and polyurethane adhesives can work down to 0°C. Always check the product datasheet.

Type	Bond Strength	Gap Filling	Cure Time	Min. Temp (°C)
PVA (white/yellow)	High (clamped)	Poor	1–24 hours	5
PVA (D3/D4 water-resistant)	High (clamped)	Poor	1–24 hours	5
Grab adhesive	Medium	Good (up to 10 mm)	24–48 hours	5
Contact adhesive	Medium	None (both surfaces)	Instant bond on contact	15
Epoxy (5-minute)	High	Excellent	5 min set, 1 hr cure	10
Epoxy (slow cure)	Very high	Excellent	4–24 hrs	10
Polyurethane (PU glue)	High	Good (foams to fill)	4–24 hours	5
Construction adhesive (hybrid)	High	Good	24–48 hours	5
Spray adhesive	Low–medium	None	Seconds–minutes	15

Application	Best Adhesive	Notes
Wood-to-wood joinery	PVA wood glue	Clamp for 30-60 mins, full cure 24 hrs
Skirting / architrave to wall	Grab adhesive + pins	Grab holds while pins secure
Coving to wall/ceiling	Coving adhesive or grab	Purpose-made coving adhesive is best
Worktop laminate	Contact adhesive	Apply to both surfaces, let flash off, press together
Metal to concrete	Epoxy or hybrid	Surface must be clean, dry, dust-free
Polystyrene insulation to walls	Dot-and-dab adhesive or EWI adhesive	Solvent-based adhesives melt polystyrene
Plasterboard to wall (dot and dab)	Gyproc Dri-Wall adhesive	Purpose-made gypsum-based adhesive
Floor tiles	Flexible tile adhesive (C2 S1)	See Tile Adhesive Coverage guide
Exterior wood (wet conditions)	PU wood glue (D4) or epoxy	PU foams slightly — clamp firmly

Class	Durability	Use
D1	Interior only	Furniture, interior joinery
D2	Interior, occasional moisture	Kitchens, bathrooms (not submerged)
D3	Interior, frequent moisture / exterior sheltered	Windows, exterior joinery (sheltered)
D4	Exterior, fully exposed	External joinery, garden furniture

UK Construction Adhesive Types Guide

Construction Adhesive Types

Application Guide

PVA Glue Classifications (BS EN 204)

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