Whether you are building something for your kitchen, doing arts and crafts, or anything in between, cork is always a handy material. It’s super heat resistant, it’s hydrophobic, and it has many uses both in and out of the house. That said, sticking pieces of cork to each other or to other materials can be a bit tricky. This is what we are here for today, to help you find the best glue for cork out there.
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
Best Overall1  | Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue | * Expands into materials | |
For Cork Projects2  | Weldwood Original Contact Cement | * Dries relatively fast | |
For Cork to Glass3  | E6000 Craft Adhesive | * Flexible | |
For Cork to Ceramic4  | Gorilla Super Glue Gel | * Dries fast | |
Gluing Cork to Plywood5  | Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive | * Very strong bond | |
For Cork Tiles6  | Roberts Cork Underlayment Adhesive | * Good for large projects |
Our number one choice for the best glue for cork is Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue, a special type of wood glue designed to be waterproof and to form a very strong bond. This is a very strong and affordable glue that can be used for cork, various types of wood, and more.
* 100% waterproof
* Dries white
* Can be used for cork, wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, and much more
* Expands to form a strong bond
* Easy to apply
There are a few different reasons why we think that Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue is the best choice to go with.
For one, the fact that it can be used for so many different materials. This means that you can use this glue to stick cork to virtually anything else, which comes in handy for repairs, construction, and crafts alike.
Moreover, the fact that this glue is 100% waterproof is a big deal too, because it means that it can be used both outdoors and indoors, as well as for high traffic areas that may get wet from time to time.
What also stands out about Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue is that it expands up to three times after having been applied, which means that it works well for tight spaces, especially for super porous materials like cork.
You may not like how this glue requires about two hours of clamping, to allow it to dry, as well as the fact that it dries white.
Read More Here -> Glue for Cork Guide: How to Choose and Use the Best Adhesive for your Cork Projects
What is Cork?
Before we can talk about what the best glue for cork is, it would probably be helpful for you to know what cork actually is. Well, cork is made out of the phellem layer of tree bark, specifically the cork oak tree.
This phellem layer of bark is harvested, processed, and pressed together. One thing you might be familiar with is the cork potholder, something you use to put hot pots on counters and tables without damaging the surface beneath.
What is Cork Glue?
Technically speaking, there is no such thing as cork glue per say. This is not like with wood, where you have wood glue. That being said, since cork is technically made out of wood, or at least related to it, one of the go-to choices for gluing it is wood glue. However, for the most part, people usually choose to go with some sort of contact cement adhesive to glue cork to other materials.
Types of Glue for Cork
As mentioned above, there are a few different types of glue that can be used for cork. Right now, we want to take a look at each of them and why you might choose them.
Contact Cement
The first and most popular glue choice for cork is contact cement. Now, keep in mind that this is technically not cement, but rather a neoprene rubber adhesive that dries very fast, it dries flexible, and it creates a permanent bond.
The reason why it is so popular for cork is because, for one, it generally bonds on contact, and moreover it dries very fast, thus reducing or even eliminating the need for clamping.
There is also the fact that contact cement adheres to nearly everything, and it is waterproof too. That said, contact cement does not do well in the sunlight, so it should not be used for outdoor projects.
Wood Glue
The next option you have at your disposal is some good old wood glue, scientifically known as PVA or polyvinyl acetate.
Wood glue is ideal to use for smaller projects that involve cork, especially because it has a relatively thick and viscous nature, so it sticks well, yet is also thin enough to run into those little cracks and crevices that cork features.
Moreover, wood glue has a long working time, so it is easy to apply and to adjust before it dries, although you will probably need to do some clamping. Finally, wood glue can also be waterproof depending on the type you use and can potentially be used for outdoor projects.
Liquid Nails
Liquid nails is a special type of heavy duty construction adhesive. It’s almost like super glue that comes in a caulking tube. This stuff is perfect for outdoor use, as it resists sunlight, temperature, and moisture very well.
It also forms a very strong and tough bond that is impact resistant, with a working time of about ten minutes. If you have big construction jobs to do that involve cork, liquid nails might be your best bet.
When it comes to gluing cork to cork and to other materials, there are some questions you may have, and right now, we will do our very best to answer them.
FAQ
Does PVA glue stick on cork?
Yes, PVA glue, polyvinyl acetate, also known as wood glue, is a rather perfect choice for gluing cork. Cork is related to wood and it shares many of the same properties. Whether for indoor or outdoor use, woof glue should work just fine.
How do you attach wood to cork?
Attaching wood to cork is not hard. All you have to do is to apply glue as instructed by your specific product, clamp the two pieces together (if required), and let the glue dry. It really does not get much easier than that.
Does Gorilla Glue work on cork?
Let’s keep in mind that Gorilla Glue is a brand name, not actually a type of glue. This brand produces all sorts of adhesives, and this includes both wood glue and contact cement, both of which can be used on cork.
What is the best glue to use on wine corks?
As mentioned here today a few times, the best options at your disposal for gluing cork, and yes, this includes wine bottle corks, include PVA or wood glue, contact cement, and liquid nails.
Conclusion
Once again, the number one best glue for cork is Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue. It’s strong, it’s water resistant, it and it works great for all sorts of materials too. Just remember what your primary purpose is, and this should help you choose the right product for the task at hand.
