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Glue wood to concrete: The best adhesives

If you need to know how to glue wood to concrete, you’ve come to the right place! We’ll suggest the best adhesives for lasting results and show you how to attach wood to concrete – step by step.

The best adhesives to glue wood to concrete

You’re probably wondering how to attach wood to concrete without drilling, while still achieving long-lasting results. Wood and concrete are both tough materials with unique properties, so they can be hard to bond permanently.

While most standard glues aren’t strong enough, with a quality grab adhesive it’s possible to glue wood to concrete easily and create a strong, resilient bond.

Generally, the best adhesives for wood to concrete are grab adhesives like UniBond No More Nails Waterproof. If you’re working on a special project, look for a corresponding adhesive. For instance, some glues are designed for heavy-duty projects like subfloor construction or installing drywall.

How to attach wood to concrete: Step by step

Next, we’ll look at how to attach wood to concrete with grab adhesive. The steps are similar for most grab adhesives, but always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions before you begin.

You should also take the usual safety precautions – work in a well-ventilated space, wear gloves, and wash your hands afterwards.

Once you’ve got your tools – the adhesive, a caulk gun and utility knife – you’re ready to get gluing. 

This is how to glue wood to concrete:

  1. Prepare the surfaces. The surfaces to be bonded must be clean, free from oils, grease, dust and loose particles. Standing water on absorbent substrates should be removed first.     
  2. Open the adhesive. Follow pack instructions.  
  3. Apply the adhesive in vertical lines. Dispense it in a steady stream to one of the surfaces.
  4. Press the surfaces together. If your adhesive allows for repositioning, do so quickly – within 15 minutes of application, or the time window specified in the manufacturer’s instructions.  
  5. Keep the surfaces pressed together and wait to cure. Depending on the size and weight of the materials, you may need to use a mechanical support to keep them in position while the glue dries. Cure time varies, but usually takes 24-48 hours. 


As you can see, attaching wood to concrete using adhesive is easy – no need for drilling!

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