We Glued, Clamped, and Pulled—Here Are the Construction Adhesives That Didn’t Budge

Whether you’re securing subfloors, building load-bearing laminated veneer lumber (LVL), or tackling home repairs, the right construction adhesive can mean the difference between a strong bond and a frustrating failure. We researched over 35 adhesives and then tested five in our workshops, and we found a favorite. Loctite’s PL 3X Premium Adhesive delivered more sheer holding power than the other adhesives in our hands-on tests. We were slightly surprised—and very impressed.

With so many options available (each claiming to produce the toughest holding power for one type of material or another) it’s not easy to choose. Ahead, we share expert shopping tips and reveal why the following products made our list of the best construction adhesives. 

1. BEST OVERALL: Loctite PL 3X Premium Adhesive
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2. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Liquid Nails Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive
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3. BEST HEAVY-DUTY: Liquid Nails Fuze It Max Polymer-Based Adhesive
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4. BEST WATERPROOF: Gorilla Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive
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5. BEST EXTERIOR: Loctite PL Solvent Exterior Landscape Adhesive
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6. BEST FOR METAL: J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Quick Setting Epoxy
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7. BEST FOR CONCRETE: PC Products 72561 PC-Concrete Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive
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8. BEST FOR TILE: Dap 25190 Weldwood Multi-Purpose Adhesive
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Construction Adhesives Comparison Chart 

Our Top Picks

Many different types of quality adhesives are available for construction applications. After two weeks of stress tests using the products on wood, concrete, and metal, the following picks earned our top honors. 

Best Overall

Loctite PL 3X Premium Adhesive

See It

What We Like

• High-performance bond
• Cures in 24 hours
• Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
• Top choice for wood glue

What We Don’t Like

• High viscosity requires more force to apply

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most common construction materials
• Cure time: 24 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Both

Our Ratings

Loctite’s PL 3X Premium Adhesive excelled in our hands-on tests. It came in first place by holding strong in our 1×2 board test until the bond finally failed under 115 pounds of pulling force, as measured on our crane scale. 

This is a high-strength, fast-drying adhesive that goes on tackier than some other brands. In our experience, the tackier the sealant, the stronger the bond. PL 3X can be used in indoor or outdoor applications. The adhesive also held tight in our concrete brick test. When we dropped the bonded bricks, they broke in the middle but not at a bonded seam. 

The PL 3X requires 24 hours to reach its full bonding strength. Due to its high viscosity, applying the adhesive required a little more pressure on the trigger of the caulking gun, but we were very happy with the strength of the bond. If planning to use a lot of this adhesive, consider a cordless caulking gun to reduce hand fatigue.

What our tester says: “I was surprised by the incredibly strong bond that Loctite’s PL 3X produced. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this for constructing engineered beams.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Loctite PL 3X construction adhesive at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.

Best Bang for the Buck

Liquid Nails Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive

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What We Like

• Easy to dispense with caulk gun
• Suitable for a wide range of materials
• Good holding strength with flexibility

What We Don’t Like

• Not the strongest bond in our tests

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most common construction materials
• Cure time: 24 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Both

Our Ratings

A quality construction adhesive doesn’t have to be expensive. Liquid Nails Heavy-Duty withstood 112 pounds of pulling force in our tests, making it a good option for projects where a lot of adhesive is necessary, such as subfloor installations. 

It also performed well in our concrete brick and metal strip tests and was easier to dispense than some of the other construction adhesives we tested. It’s suitable for bonding a wide range of materials and offers a slight amount of flexibility, so we would also recommend it for projects where movement or settling may be an issue. It’s also a good choice as a gap-filling adhesive.

Liquid Nails heavy-duty construction adhesive begins drying in about 15 minutes and requires 24 hours to fully cure. This adhesive is also waterproof and suitable for indoor and outdoor use. 

Get the Liquid Nails Heavy-Duty construction adhesive at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Walmart.

Best Heavy-Duty

Liquid Nails Fuze It Max Polymer-Based Adhesive

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What We Like

• Very strong bond
• Excellent concrete bonding agent
• Dries quickly to touch

What We Don’t Like

• Thicker formula takes more effort to dispense

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most common construction materials
• Cure time: 12-24 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Both

Our Ratings

The second Liquid Nails adhesive to make our lineup, Fuze It Max withstood 589 pounds of pulling force before the bond failed. It likewise excelled in both our metal strip and concrete brick tests.

Its relatively high viscosity requires a little more effort to dispense with a caulking gun, but it forms a quick bond and dries to the touch in about 20 minutes. We suggest Fuze It Max for projects requiring high tensile strength, such as building LVLs or bonding rigid materials like stone or concrete. It might not be as suitable for materials that expand and contract or are subject to vibration or impact.

Get Liquid Nails Fuze It Max construction adhesive at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot. 

Best Waterproof

Gorilla Heavy-Duty Construction Adhesive

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What We Like

• Waterproof and all-weather
• Slight flexibility after curing
• Solvent-free formula
• Compatible with a wide range of surfaces

What We Don’t Like

• Not a high-tensile strength adhesive

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most common construction materials
• Cure time: 24 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Both

Our Ratings

Gorilla calls its heavy-duty adhesive all-weather and all-purpose, and with good reason. It is waterproof, suitable for indoor and outdoor use, creates a bond in 30 seconds, and sticks to everything from mirrors to marble. Because no water or solvents evaporate, this adhesive dries to the touch quickly and reaches full cure in 24 hours. 

We found the Gorilla adhesive easy to dispense. Even after it had fully cured, it remained slightly flexible. In our wood tests, it withstood 121 pounds of pulling pressure, and it also fared well in our metal strip and concrete brick tests.

Because it’s a 100 percent waterproof construction adhesive, we think it’s a good choice for moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens—it makes a great caulk for showers. We wouldn’t hesitate to use it for projects where movement or settling is expected. It’s suitable for use on a wide range of construction and DIY materials. 

Get the Gorilla construction adhesive at Amazon, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot.

Best Exterior

Loctite PL Solvent Exterior Landscape Adhesive

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What We Like

• Outdoor construction adhesive
• Can be applied on wet or frozen lumber
• Easy to dispense
• Weather-resistant and durable

What We Don’t Like

• Outdoor-only use (emits fumes)

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most exterior landscaping materials
• Cure time: 2–7 days
• Interior or exterior use: Exterior

Our Ratings

For exterior projects where a strong bond is desired, we like Loctite’s PL 500 Landscape adhesive. In our wood strength test, the PL 500 withstood 328 pounds of pulling force, and it formed excellent bonds on our metal strips and concrete bricks. 

However, it is an outside-only adhesive because it emits more fumes than the others. We didn’t find the smell off-putting, but we did detect a stronger odor than with the others, and it comes with a warning not to use it indoors. It also requires a longer curing time—up to 7 days to reach a full cure—so consider that before use.

It dispenses easily, and we wouldn’t hesitate to use PL 500 for outdoor projects as a concrete glue adhesive—think attaching capstones to retaining walls, bonding pavers to prevent shifting, or even setting stone countertops in an outdoor kitchen. Another perk: PL 500 can be applied directly to wet or frozen lumber, making it one of the most versatile outdoor construction adhesives.

What our tester says: “We had a frigid spell during adhesive testing, and on a whim, I used the PL 500 to glue two frozen logs together. I was amazed to find they were securely bonded when I checked them two weeks later.” –Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer

Get the Loctite Landscape construction adhesive at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Menards. 

More Great Options

While we didn’t test the next three construction adhesives, they made our shortlist due to their specifications and high customer satisfaction. If you still haven’t found the right adhesive for a project, it’s likely here. 

Best for Metal

J-B Weld 8276 KwikWeld Quick Setting Epoxy

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What We Like

• High PSI rating
• Stable under high temperatures
• Suitable for sanding, molding, and filling 
• Fast-drying construction adhesive

What We Don’t Like

• Requires mixing before use

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Most common construction materials
• Cure time: 4–6 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Not specified

Less porous materials like metal and plastic present unique obstacles for adhesives. J-B’s KwikWeld overcomes this with its two-part epoxy explicitly designed for bonding metals. KwikWeld takes as little as 6 minutes to bond and 4 to 6 hours to cure, making it fast compared to some adhesives. 

While we didn’t test this product for this review, we’ve used J-B Weld in the past, and we’ve had excellent results. This formula sets so hard that it can be sanded, molded, and filled after curing. It can withstand temperatures up to 230 degrees Fahrenheit and resist pressures of more than 3,000 pounds per square inch. 

This product is different from other construction adhesives. Epoxies require mixing two chemicals to create a chemical reaction that makes the adhesive. The 25-milliliter package’s syringe design allows for easy mixing and reuse, but it does not contain as much adhesive as a manually mixed 10-ounce package. Because it comes in small quantities, we recommend KwikWeld for small projects where a high level of hold is desired.

Get the J-B Weld construction adhesive at Amazon, Lowe’s, and The Home Depot.

Best for Concrete

PC Products 72561 PC-Concrete Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive

See It

What We Like

• Suitable for use in wet conditions
• Stable from -20 degrees to 115 degrees F
• Suitable for anchoring rods

What We Don’t Like

• Available in small quantities only

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Concrete
• Cure time: 4 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Both

This epoxy from PC Products is excellent for a range of indoor and outdoor concrete glue applications. It dries to the touch within 20 minutes and bonds entirely in about 4 hours. The tacky adhesive resists moisture, making it suitable for application in damp or even aquatic environments. The ultra-strong hold is suitable for anchoring rods, bolts, and dowels. 

We especially like the high 6,790 PSI bond strength of PC-Concrete. That makes it an excellent choice for filling and repairing cracks in masonry and concrete that will be under pressure.

The dual-tube design alleviates some of the mess from mixing the epoxy. However, we’ve used some dual-tube epoxy dispensers, and we still needed to mix the adhesive with a dowel for uniformity. Have something on hand to blend the epoxy a bit, just in case. 

Get the PC Products construction adhesive on Amazon and at Sears.

Best for Tile

Dap 25190 Weldwood Multi-Purpose Ceramic Tile Adhesive

See It

What We Like

• Easy to apply
• Does not require a caulking gun
• Quick-grabbing bond

What We Don’t Like

• Not suitable for metal or plastic
• Not suitable for outdoor use

Specs 

• Compatible surfaces: Tile
• Cure time: 24 hours
• Interior or exterior use: Interior

We’ve used Dap products many times when laying tile, with good results. This formulation is explicitly designed for ceramic tiles but also bonds well to masonry, plaster, gypsum, and plywood. Unlike other adhesives that require mixing chemicals or using a caulk gun, Dap’s formula spreads on with a trowel. It provides a quick-grabbing bond that eliminates the need to brace up the tile before installation. 

This adhesive is not suitable for tiles larger than 8 inches by 8 inches and should not be used to bond nonporous substrates like metal or plastic. 

Get the Weldwood Multi-Purpose construction adhesive at Amazon and Walmart.

Jump to Our Top Picks

How We Chose and Tested the Best Construction Adhesives 

We researched over 30 of the most sought-after and highly rated construction adhesives in several categories, narrowing our list to eight favorites and then choosing the top five for hands-on testing. Our tests are by no means exhaustive; there are dozens of other construction adhesive products, all well-suited to high-level bonding. 

We applied the adhesives to wood, concrete, and metal, allowing them to cure for the recommended time (from 4 hours to 7 days). Finally, we attempted to break the bonds. 

For the wood tests, we glued the ends of 1-by-2 boards together, clamped them tightly, and then used a hydraulic winch and a crane scale to see how much pulling pressure the glued bonds would take before breaking. Our top performer, the Loctite PL 3X adhesive, withstood 615 pounds of pulling force before the bond failed (according to our scale). Theoretically, if we used the same adhesive on the ends of 4-by-4 posts, the bond would withstand more than 6,600 pounds of pulling force. 

For the concrete tests, we glued concrete bricks end to end, and after the adhesive had cured, we dropped them from 5 feet off the ground to see if they would break at the glued seams (or elsewhere). For the metal tests, we glued the flat sides of narrow metal strips together and then tried to pull them apart by hand. Spoiler: we were unable to pull any apart. 

We awarded points based on a rubric: the better an adhesive did on a test, the higher the points. After testing, we averaged the points to determine our best overall pick and to categorize the others as to their best use. 

What to Consider When Choosing a Construction Adhesive

Not all types of glue are suitable for every project. Surface type, drying time, strength, and application methods all influence which formula to use. Read on to learn how to select the best construction adhesive for the job. 

Surface Type

Many adhesives bond with construction materials on a molecular level, and no single adhesive is suitable for all applications. Metal, concrete, glass, and wood have different molecular and chemical properties. As such, it’s crucial to choose a construction adhesive formulated specifically for the project’s materials. 

The best construction adhesives for wood have elastomeric properties, meaning they can flex with the material and resume their shape. Silicone-based adhesives offer waterproofing capabilities and flexibility, while superglues offer rigid bonding that lacks flexibility. Nonporous and smooth surfaces do not adhere as readily as rough materials like sawn wood, so choose a glue indicated for metal or plastic adhesion.

Drying Time

Achieving a full-strength bond with construction adhesive involves two processes: drying and curing. Manufacturers add liquid agents to adhesives that soften the compound for application. After application, the carrier component evaporates. The adhesive dries as the carrier evaporates, leaving a bond between the materials.

Curing is a chemical process during which the adhesive crystallizes. Upon final crystallization, the adhesive achieves its full strength. Don’t be fooled by a dry construction adhesive, as dry does not necessarily mean the project is ready for the next step. 

Adhesives vary in drying and curing times. Some cure fully within moments, while others take several days. A slow-drying construction adhesive is not ideal for a time-sensitive project, but if it’s the necessary adhesive for the material, it’s critical to observe the recommended curing time before moving on. 

Strength and Longevity

Strength is a critical consideration in construction adhesives. An adhesive unequal to the job could ruin a project. Scientists and manufacturers consider a bond’s strength through two measures: lap shear strength and peel strength. 

A lap shear test measures an adhesive’s ability to withstand stress when the glue moves laterally to the repaired material. Peel strength measures adhesive strength under perpendicular pressure. Construction adhesives are designed to bond permanently but may fail or disintegrate if exposed to extreme pressure or environmental factors. 

Application

Anyone who has accidentally glued their fingers together can attest that applying construction adhesives can be tricky. Because each product varies in best application practices, it is crucial to consult the manufacturer’s instructions. 

Nearly all manufacturers agree that the material must be cleaned before application. Usually, a mix of 50 percent rubbing alcohol and 50 percent water washes away oils and dirt that may interfere with the adhesive. 

Reading the full directions and having everything prepared for the job can be the difference between a neatly adhered project and a sticky disaster. 

FAQs 

Do you still have some lingering questions about adhesives? Here are some common questions to help you choose the best construction adhesive for your project.

Q: How strong is construction adhesive?

Construction adhesives are primarily designed to be permanent. Some of the strongest adhesives can hold hundreds of pounds, though it is inadvisable to rely solely on them for a load-bearing project. 

Q: How long does construction adhesive take to dry?

Superglues can dry in as little as a few seconds, while other types of adhesives may take days or longer to achieve full strength. 

Q: What is the fastest-setting construction adhesive?

Adhesives take between a few minutes and several days to bond and cure completely. In our testing, Liquid Nails’ Fuze It Max formula dried to the touch the fastest.

Q: How do you use construction adhesive?

Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the best methods for using your construction adhesive, as adhesive application varies from product to product. Epoxy resin requires mixing chemicals, while silicone- and glue-based adhesives can be applied out of the container. 

Q: How long does construction adhesive last?

Manufacturers design construction adhesive to be extremely durable, but even the most stalwart formulas break down under the pressure of time. Construction adhesives may last for years, but improperly applied adhesives could break down far sooner. 

Q: How do you remove construction adhesive?

Construction adhesives break down under heat. To remove an adhesive, heat the bond with a hair dryer or heat gun. When the adhesive softens, scrape it off with a putty knife. 

Meet the Tester

Glenda Taylor is a contractor, product tester, and writer focusing primarily on construction, DIY tools, and home appliances.

Additional research provided by Mike Bruton

 

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