The best adhesives in the UK 2023

Glue, a very common product, but one that can make your life so much easier. And there's something for everyone, from the white glue used by schoolchildren, to the strong glue used at home, not to mention the industrial quality glues. To find the right glue for your needs, read our guide.

DIPOXY 2K 700 1
8/10

Best value for money

DIPOXY 2K 700

The best glue in 2021

Dipoxy brand adhesive is made of clear epoxy resin. With its crystalline flow and its ability to adhere more easily to materials, it is ideal for repairing your bathroom tiles.

27,99 £ on Amazon
Mirta's Garden hot glue gun 2
8/10

Best value for money

Mirta's Garden hot glue gun

The best entry-level glue

This non-toxic, silicone-free glue is ideal for everyday use, with glue sticks being the most commonly used in clothing DIYs. This Mirta's Garden brand product is clear and offers strong adhesion.

10,38 £ on Amazon

This hot glue from Mirta's Garden is made primarily of ethylene vinyl acetate, which explains its strong adhesion and ultra fast drying. Unlike ordinary glue sticks, Mirta's Garden's glue sticks cool down faster. And that's not all: the glue contains no toxic substances and does not give off any odor when oxidized.

The melting temperature of the sticks is 110°C, so there is less risk of burning than with those that only melt at 200°C. Although it is most suitable for gluing fabric, this glue can also be used for all DIY and decoration work.

Wood glue 1416 Titebond 3
9/10

Best premium glue

Wood glue 1416 Titebond

The best high-end glue

White glues are made for easy repair of your wood furniture. With a cap that allows for easy application, it adheres very well to wood.

46,93 £ on Amazon

This fluid and very resistant glue from Titebond is a must for woodworkers and woodworkers. A wood glue with a rather liquid texture, it is very practical and easy to use. The tip of the containers is pointed, so as to facilitate the application of the glue even in small areas.

It also provides excellent adhesion on all types of wood and that's not all. This glue is non-toxic, so you don't have to worry about irritation from direct skin contact.

Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive 4
7/10

Best glue for gluing everything together

Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive

The best universal glue in 2021

To repair porcelain, glass, iron, aluminum, PVC and many other materials that are prone to breakage, you will need a universal glue. Repar-Ex has designed one that is easy to use and very resistant.

35,46 £ on Cdiscount

Repar-Ex adhesive adheres to plastic, wood, steel, plaster, clay and many other materials. Although it is most effective at room temperature, it is very durable. This product is capable of withstanding heat in excess of 100°C, humidity, salt air, chemicals and hydrocarbons.

Indeed, it can face all kinds of tests. Its action is optimized by the bottle of assembly powder. In addition, its fast adhesion will not force you to wait a whole day after the application of the adhesive. Contained in a 20 mL bottle, it is a universal strong glue that can satisfy all your daily needs.

Buying guide • November 2023

Best glue

Any specific needs?

The best glue in 2021

The best entry-level glue

The best high-end glue

The best universal glue in 2021

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best adhesives

TOP OF THE LINE CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
DIPOXY 2K 700 5
8/10
Mirta's Garden hot glue gun 6
8/10
Wood glue 1416 Titebond 7
9/10
Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive 8
7/10
OUR SELECTION
DIPOXY 2K 700
Mirta's Garden hot glue gun
Wood glue 1416 Titebond
Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive
Dipoxy brand adhesive is made of clear epoxy resin. With its crystalline flow and its ability to adhere more easily to materials, it is ideal for repairing your bathroom tiles.
This non-toxic, silicone-free glue is ideal for everyday use, with glue sticks being the most commonly used in clothing DIYs. This Mirta's Garden brand product is clear and offers strong adhesion.
White glues are made for easy repair of your wood furniture. With a cap that allows for easy application, it adheres very well to wood.
To repair porcelain, glass, iron, aluminum, PVC and many other materials that are prone to breakage, you will need a universal glue. Repar-Ex has designed one that is easy to use and very resistant.
Weight
3kg
0.64 kg
4 kg
0.05 kg
Volume
300 ml
150 ml
3784 ml
50 ml
Application
Carbon, wood, tile
Wood, Fabrics
Wood
Universal glue
Color
Transparent / Crystal clear
Transparent
Haven
White
Viscosity
Low
High
Low
High

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How to choose your glue

Getting lost in the DIY aisle is very easy, especially when it comes to finding the right glue. You need to consider several factors, the materials and texture of the surfaces to be glued, but also the adhesiveness, the type of packaging of the glue and its toxicity.

#1 - The materials of the surfaces to which the glue is applied

Many kinds of materials can be repaired with glue, they are grouped in two main types. There are porous materials like wood, clay or foam, on the other side, there are waterproof materials, that is non-porous like plastic, concrete or porcelain. Your choices should therefore be based on the surface to be glued first.

#2 - The texture of the surface to which the glue is applied

The texture of the surface to be glued is also to be taken into account because the distribution of the glue depends on it. A grainy surface is more difficult to glue than a smooth surface, this is because the smooth surface offers the glue a larger area of support. In contrast, a grainy surface will force the glue to cover many small pieces.

#3 - The adhesive strength of the glue

The adhesive strength of a glue must be considered as well. Strong glue has a stronger adhesive strength than white glue. This is a fact related to the different components of the glue. The more adhesive the glue is, the more transparent it is. So, you can choose the clear or light brown glues if you want more adhesive capacity.

#4 - The type of packaging of the glue

The type of packaging of a glue is how it is preserved, whether it is liquid in a container, solid stick or tube. This choice of packaging is specific to the components of the adhesive. Glues in containers become dry very quickly so, you should replace the lid securely after using your glue.

#5 - The toxicity level of the glue

The toxic components of glue can harm your health if the glue comes into contact with your skin, through inhalation or by swallowing. This is especially important if the glue is used to attach false nails or eyelashes, for example, or if it is intended for a child. Toxin-free glues are ecological wood resin glues; while the most dangerous glues are those with several chemical components, especially cyanoacrylate.

5 awesome tricks to do with glue gun glue!

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Glue isn't just for gluing two elements together. Proof of that is these many tricks you can do with glue sticks.

To fix glasses that no longer have nose pads

The easiest trick is to take your glue gun and wrap the pointed end of the metal that was holding the nose pads. With this simple manipulation, you will be able to wear your glasses again without injury.

To dampen the noise, or even prevent door slamming

All you have to do is place two pieces of glue on the door reverb and the bracket on the side, so that the door no longer hits the frame.

To clean makeup brushes

Get a container, draw lines in it with your glue gun, and let it dry. The relief you'll create will thoroughly clean your brushes. All you have to do is rub the bristles on it.

.

To solve the problem of too-smooth soles

Everyone has faced this problem and the solution is very simple, you can take your glue gun and make some lines on the sole of your shoe.

To make custom markings

You can also use your glue gun to draw the design of your choice on wax paper. Fill it with glue and let it dry before painting with markers. To attach them to the wall, you will only need to burn a little one side of your little symbol and glue it.

To Remember

Never throw away your jar of dried glue. It could be a good substitute for contact adhesives or sealants.

Make your own homemade glue!
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To make your homemade glue a success, you will need reagents as well as ingredients certainly found in every kitchen. These are very simple and accessible products, and they do not expose you to any risk of allergies even if you accidentally swallow some.

The doses are to be respected if you want your glue to be successful:

- 140 mL of water, one tablespoon of sugar and two tablespoons of flour.
- Or 250 mL of water, two tablespoons of cornstarch, one teaspoon of vinegar and two tablespoons of sugar.

In both cases, heat the water over low heat for a few minutes. Then, put one by one the ingredients, you must mix well so that there are no granules and so that the whole becomes homogeneous. If you need a more liquid glue, you can add a little water.

This glue will be used to fix easily adhering surfaces such as paper or cardboard. It will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator, but just make sure to close the lid on your DIY glue container.

The different types of adhesives

When you go to your local hardware store, you'll find dozens of types of glues. They vary according to their components and the surfaces they take best. Here you'll see which glue will work best for you.

Contact adhesives

Contact adhesives are adhesives made from organic solvents such as alcohols or ketones. They contain a fixing agent. There are several types of contact adhesives, including the following:

Natural colloidal glues are often used for the restoration of old objects, or in cabinet making.

Liquid rubber glues are often used to repair tires or waterproof materials.

Thermoplastic glues contain no solvents and it is the glue tubes that you need to heat in your glue gun.

Dispersion glues are the ideal glues for placing wallpaper, loaded with water, it prevents the glue from drying before use.

Plastisols are used to glue plastic, but can be used in leather goods.

Vinyl glues which are solvent-based glues. These are white glues packaged in tubes or jars and intended for gluing paper, wood or cardboard.

Reactive adhesives

Reactive glues are sealants that harden according to chemical processes. There are mono-component glues and those that are bi-component, the difference is the active hardener contained in the glue.

Epoxy glues are two-component reactive glues, they have a very strong adhesive power. They are mainly used to glue wood, plastic and even metal.

Epoxy pastes or putties are gelatinous pastes that harden. They are widely used to glue, for example, the glass of windows and doors.

Cyanoacrylate glues or more commonly called super glue, are very powerful, but also very toxic.

PU or polyurethane glues can be in the form of foam or rigid material. They are used to install insulation, ceiling tiles or wood baseboards.

Specific adhesives

Specific adhesives are often the ones that craftsmen use in their shops. They are more precise and each adheres better to the material for which it is specific. From stationery glue, to PVC glue and casting glues, there are several kinds.

For example, acrylic glues are glues that are used to bond rubber and porous materials.

PVC adhesives are ideal for flexible PVC or silicone.

Cushioning adhesives are as the name suggests: they are used to provide thermal insulation.

To repair tiles or make mosaics, you will need tile adhesives.

Neoprene adhesives are water resistant, so they can be used to repair plumbing in the bathroom, kitchen, buckets or other containers in contact with water.

MS polymer adhesives are the best odorless adhesives you can find. They are also solvent free and water resistant.

You also have permanent expansion or casting adhesives. These liquid resins are perfect for gluing wood.

Universal or specific glue?

The universal glue

For home use, universal glue is perfect. Indeed, at home, it is unlikely to always have to repair the same material. Therefore, universal glue, which is all-purpose, is the one you should have at home. However, this type of glue is more or less adhesive depending on the surface to which it will adhere.

The specific glue

Handymen mostly use specific glues in their workshops. For example, a carpenter uses a glue that is specifically designed for gluing wood, such as vinyl glue, but this type of glue would not work on plastic. The problem with special glues is that you have to have several pots of glue if you have several materials to glue.

Verdict

Universal glue is a good choice as well as specific glue. But from an economic point of view, it is better to have a glue that can do the work of several glues. For a domestic use, it is advisable to have the universal glue. For more precision in your work, specific glues are ideal.

Tips

Follow the instructions for use

You should read the instructions carefully, to know the toxicity or storage conditions of the glue.

Clean the surface before gluing

Greasy or dusty surfaces do not take the glue at all.

Secure your work surface before application

The use of glues containing toxic products requires well-defined safety measures to avoid accidents.

Spread the glue on both surfaces

This way, it will last longer and fix more easily.

Store your glue properly

To store your glue well, put it in the refrigerator or in a place protected from heat with the lid tightly closed.

FAQ

Which glue to use in a swimming pool?

To glue in a pool, you will need to think about a product that is resistant to water and the products used to treat the pool water. The best solution is the waterproof sealant, which is practically invisible. There are also MS polymer adhesives that are waterproof and perfect for stone, concrete, marble, and even glass.

Can we use a specific glue for a different use than the usual one?

Certainly. On the other hand, the specific glue will not give the same result, if a PVC glue is used to glue paper for example. That said, in some cases, this is not always possible: office glue will never be suitable for repairing shoes.

How to remove traces of glue from a piece of clothing?

When handling glue, you are never safe from this kind of incident. To remedy this, soak the garment in hot water for a few minutes. Then, scrub the glued area with white vinegar and finish the wash by hand.

How to remove strong glue from your fingers?

Use hot water and lemon juice. Lemon juice reduces the risk of irritation. To avoid this, it is best to wear gloves before using the glue.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. How to choose your glue?, Futura-sciences.com
  2. How to choose your glue your fixing putty or your resin, Conseil.manomano.fr
  3. Do-it-yourself - The main types of glues - Decrypting, Quechoisir.org
  4. How to choose the right glue and for which uses?, Systemed.fr
  5. How to choose your glue or putty?, Leroymerlin.fr
  6. Choosing a glue: which glue to take according to your needs?, Toutcoller.com
  7. 10 cool tips with a hot glue gun, Lastucerie.fr
  8. The Simple Recipe for Homemade Glue, Comment-economiser.fr
  9. 8 grandma's tips for removing strong glue from your fingers, Deco.fr
  10. GLUES - lemoulage, Lemoulage.com
  11. DIY : 7 recipes for making your own glue, Maisonbrico.com
  12. Glue | Leroy Merlin, leroymerlin.fr
  13. Glue | Castorama, castorama.fr
  14. Glue - Wikipedia, fr.wikipedia.org
  15. Amazon.co.uk : glue, amazon.co.uk
  16. Definitions : glue - Larousse French dictionary, larousse.fr
  17. Glue - Buy liquid glue and other types of glues at ..., creavea.com
  18. Home - Glue 21, colle21.com
  19. Glue : Simple and easy dictionary definition, linternaute.fr
  20. Industrial glue | Glue, mastic & industrial adhesive ..., collage.fr
  21. Amazon.co.uk : polyurethane glue, amazon.co.uk
  22. Prepa : what are "glues" ? - L'Etudiant, letudiant.fr
  23. Collège International - Etablissement public de l'Académie ..., college-international-fontainebleau.org
  24. How to make homemade glue : the easy recipe ..., consoglobe.com
  25. Colle Professionnelle | Colle Forte tout Support ..., colletout.com
  26. colle : definition of glue and synonyms of glue (French), dictionnaire.sensagent.leparisien.fr
  27. Colles et adhésifs pour cartonnage, encadrement et autres ...., shop.eclatdeverre.com
  28. Colle : strong glue, uhu glue, schotch | Manutan.fr, manutan.fr
  29. FordStore & Volvo dealer - Garage Colle, colle.lu
  30. Charles Collé - Wikipedia, fr.wikipedia.org
  31. Home - Collé Rental & Sales, colle.eu
  32. COLLE : Definition of COLLE - CNRTL, cnrtl.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
DIPOXY 2K 700 9
DIPOXY 2K 700
Mirta's Garden hot glue gun 10
Mirta's Garden hot glue gun
Wood glue 1416 Titebond 11
Wood glue 1416 Titebond
Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive 12
Repar-EX Glue + Assembly Additive

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