Overheard a guy at the hardware store say 'just use wood glue for everything' and it got me thinking

I was picking up some deck screws last Saturday and this dude was telling his friend to use wood glue on a fence post that's clearly gonna rot out in a season. I mean, wood glue is great for indoor furniture and stuff, but for anything that sits in the ground or gets wet? That's just asking for trouble. Has anyone else had a project fail because you used the wrong adhesive for the conditions?

2 comments

2 Comments

kelly_west745d ago

I used basic construction adhesive on a planter box a few years back and it fell apart after two rainy seasons. Switched to exterior grade polyurethane glue on the next one and that thing is still solid as a rock even with the soil staying damp against the wood. Wood glue just doesn't hold up when moisture is a constant factor, especially in cold weather when the joints expand and contract. Something like Titebond III is waterproof but anything labeled for outdoor use without being specifically meant for wet conditions isn't worth your time.

wesley_martin5d ago

Titebond III is actually considered waterproof but it's still a wood glue at heart so it'll break down over time with constant ground contact. The polyurethane stuff you switched to forms a plastic-like bond that handles moisture way better than any wood glue can. Real outdoor projects need a glue that can take physical abuse from wet soil and temp changes, not just resist water on the surface.