Cork is one of the most amazing and unique materials that exist. It’s known for its lightweight, great impermeability, and elasticity.
Because of those interesting and distinctive properties, cork is becoming more and more popular for DIY projects. And for those crafting projects, we usually need to bond cork to something else.
To ensure a strong bond, we will have to use the best glue for cork. The best glue, in this case, would be the one that dries fast, clear, and leaves a strong bond.
And that’s what we would be focusing on in this article. We will present you with a list of the 8 best adhesives for cork, along with a guide to help you choose the right glue for your project.
Last update on 2024-04-02 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Best Glue For Cork – Reviews
- Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue
- E6000 Craft Adhesive
- Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate by Glue Masters
- Bob Smith Industries BSI-157H Maxi Cure/Insta-Set Combo Pack
- Cyapro Cyanoacrylate Quick-Set Medium Adhesive
- Elmer’s Products, Inc E7000 Carpenters Wood Glue
- Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel
- Gorilla Original Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
- What To Look For When Choosing Glue For Cork
- Safety Precautions
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Wrap Up
Best Glue For Cork – Reviews
Cork has specific properties, and that’s why you should carefully choose what glue you will use for it. In this section, we will review the best types of glue for cork on the market currently. All of the choices below work great with cork boards and will leave you with a strong clean bond.
Our Pick
Franklin International 6123 Titebond Trans Glue
Titebond has been known to have stronger bonds than the wood you’re using it on. And that’s not just a marketing phrase, it’s a fact!
This Titebond wood glue will bond your cork with ease. It creates incredibly strong joints that resist all environmental factors. You can be assured that your cork project will last a long, long time with this super powerful glue.
The glue sets super fast, so you won’t waste your time waiting on it to dry. This is not the case with many other types of wood glue that usually require clamping and have long setting times. This will make you finish your projects faster and make them more enjoyable.
What we love about this glue is that it dries clear. It leaves beautifully clean and transparent bonds. There will be no traces of the glue left when it dries. The end result of your craft will look professional with this glue!
The thickness of this Titebond glue is just right. It’s not too liquid, so it won’t run and spill. But it’s not too thick either, which reduces the drying time.
This glue is not toxic as well and is great for use indoors, even in confined spaces. You won’t get a headache using it!
All in all, this glue is perfect for bonding cork! It’s by far the best glue for cork on the market! If you want to make sure your bonds are resistant, durable, and clean, go for this glue, and you won’t be disappointed!
E6000 Craft Adhesive
This E6000 Craft adhesive has some serious strength. It’s known to have industrial-level bonds on many different materials. It will bond cork, metal, glass, fabric, or ceramics with ease!
Besides its versatility, this adhesive is water and temperature-resistant. It will tolerate extreme heat and cold while resisting water without any issues. You can safely use it for any outdoor project.
This glue has a high viscosity that provides precise application. That means no more spillage and messy results. The tube is also very well designed to improve accuracy and preserve the glue after use.
Setting time for this glue about average. For a full cure, you will probably have to leave it to dry overnight. This is not uncommon, and most of the glues will require this.
Another thing worth mentioning is the strong smell of this glue. Some users might have a problem with that, so make sure to use it in a well-ventilated area, and you should have no issues with it.
The versatility and the strength of this glue are what make it shine. It works excellently on the cork, and it will make your DIY projects super solid and long-lasting.
Professional Grade Cyanoacrylate by Glue Masters
Cyanoacrylates or superglues work great on all types of wood, including cork. But this professional-grade super glue from glue Masters works even better for cork! It’s, in our opinion, the best super glue for cork on the market!
The main thing that sets this glue apart from the competition is its strength. It’s remarkably strong for a superglue! It creates solid bonds on cork and does so in a very short amount of time.
That brings us to the next feature of this glue, which is the setting and curing time. In short, it dries in under a minute! That’s right, the curing time of this glue is only 60 seconds. This will boost your efficiency and will make you finish your DIY project in no time!
This glue is thick viscosity which is what we want for cork. You will have much more accuracy and control when applying the glue.
The versatility of this glue is implicit. It’s what makes superglues what they are. You will have no problem using this glue on glass, metal, plastic, and many other materials!
To sum it up, if you want to glue cork, this the glue that gets the job done!
Bob Smith Industries BSI-157H Maxi Cure/Insta-Set Combo Pack
Do you want to glue cork but want the fastest drying time possible so that no time is lost? This super glue and accelerator combo will give you just that!
With a curing time of just 10 seconds, this combo will make you finish your projects in no time! It’s almost like watching the magic unfold right before your eyes.
Let us explain how it works. First, you apply the super glue to the first part, and then you apply the accelerator on the second part, and that’s it! Hold the parts together for 10 seconds, and you’ve created a permanent, durable bond!
The magician here, so to speak, is the accelerator or the activator that comes as a spray. It speeds up the polymerization process significantly and makes the super glue set and cure 10 times faster than it normally would!
Apart from the lightning-fast drying time, this set will provide you with a surprisingly powerful bond. The CA glue in this combo pack is not some ordinary crazy glue that you would buy for a dollar at Walmart. It has very high structural strength.
If you appreciate super-fast drying times and powerful bonds, this is the set for you. You will finish your cork crafts in no time with amazing results!
Cyapro Cyanoacrylate Quick-Set Medium Adhesive
This is a professional-grade cyanoacrylate glue that works excellent with cork!
The setting time for this adhesive is tremendously fast! It will set in about 15 seconds and will fully cure in just 30 seconds! That’s insane, even for a CA glue.
The tensile strength of this glue is high. It creates very solid bonds that resist water and temperature fluctuations. Your cork project will be stable and secure with this glue!
This adhesive dries clear, leaving you with a nice, clean finish. This will not only save you time but will make your work look neat.
The viscosity of this CA glue is medium. This is, in our opinion, the best thickness for most people and is very easy to work with. It’s cleaner, more precise, and doesn’t take too long to dry.
While this glue works terrific with many materials, we found that it works best on metal and wood combinations, so if you have similar kinds of projects, this glue will be a good choice. We used it for gluing aluminum, and it worked fantastically!
If you have any kind of project involving cork, this glue will work wonderfully! It’s definitely in our top 5 list for the best glue for cork board and wine cork!
Elmer's Products, Inc E7000 Carpenters Wood Glue
Elmer’s glue is known to bond wood spectacularly. And this carpenters wood glue definitely lived up to that standard!
It is a wonderful choice for gluing cork, as it creates sturdy bonds that will withstand high amounts of pressure.
There were several tests performed regarding the strength of this glue. The results showed that the wood cracked but the bond resisted the pressure. That goes to show how powerful this adhesive actually is!
This adhesive also isn’t toxic and won’t leave you nauseated when working, even in confined, non-ventilated spaces.
When removing excess glue, all you need to do is to apply some water to the residue, and it will be gone. No need for acetone or any other solvents!
This wonderful glue is used by many professional carpenters for its strength and reliability. If you intend to use it for cork, it will provide you with excellent results!
Gorilla 7700111 Super Glue Gel
The Gorilla glue is a super glue giant. It can be used on so many different materials, and it does a great job on all of them. We simply had to include it in our list.
The superglue gel version of the gorilla glue we are reviewing here is preferable to the liquid version. It’s favored because of the easy and mess-free application. The gel version is so much more precise and easier to use.
The strength of this glue is definitely sufficient for cork. After all, the Gorilla Glue company was founded to create wood glues, and while they now offer many other adhesives, they still perform the best on wood!
The drying time of the Gorilla glue is unbeatable. It sets in just 10 seconds, and you can expect it to cure in 45 seconds only! This will significantly reduce the time wasted on waiting and will make your DIY project more satisfying.
Overall, the gorilla gel super glue does a phenomenal job on the cork. The bonds are strong, the application is easy, and the drying times minimal! You can’t go wrong with it!
Gorilla Original Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
This gorilla glue is a bit different from other recommended glues on our list. It’s a polyurethane-based glue, and it works excellent for cork.
If you’re doing some outdoor DIY projects with cork, this adhesive would be an ideal choice. Polyurethanes are known for their great resistance to environmental factors, and this one is no different.
It’s UV resistant and works great outdoors because it is waterproof. It will resist excessively cold and warm weather easily.
The structural strength of this glue is outstanding as well. It’s perfect for any heavy-duty project, indoors or outdoors.
We recommend testing this glue on a few parts before starting an actual application. This adhesive expands up to 3 times, so you would want to get an idea of how much would you need to apply to make a clean bond.
The drying time is great. It’s not too fast like with CA glues, so if you appreciate a bit more assembly time, this glue will be the right choice.
Pick this glue if you have an outdoor project, and you won’t be disappointed. The bonds will be durable, resistant, and very strong. You can rely on this glue to hold the cork, whatever the weather!
What To Look For When Choosing Glue For Cork
Let’s start with the cork itself. We first need to know a bit more about the material we would be working with.
Cork is obtained from Cork Oaks. Cork Oaks are medium-sized oak trees that can be found in Africa and Europe. Portugal is the country that produces the majority of cork globally.
Cork is mostly used for wine stoppers, flooring, and insulation. The properties of cork are excellent impermeability, high insulation value, and great fire-retardant properties.
Because of those unique properties, we see an increase in cork utilization. We expect this to continue to grow in the following years.
Now that we know a little bit more about cork, let’s move onto the features you should pay attention to when choosing glue for cork.
Type Of Glue
There are several types of glue that work great with cork. The ones we will go through in this article are cyanoacrylates, polyurethanes, and PVA glues.
Cyanoacrylates
Also known as superglues, these adhesives work excellently with cork. Their advantage is low setting and curing time. These adhesives usually dry in just 15-60 seconds.
They also make strong bonds that are usually waterproof and many times resistant to high and low temperatures. They are fairly easy to use and come in liquid and gel types. You can find them in a wide variety of viscosities as well.
All these properties make it perfect for bonding cork. Just make sure to get the strong and fast-setting models such as those we reviewed.
Polyurethanes
Polyurethane-based adhesives will bond cork marvelously. This kind of glue is used for heavy-duty projects that require maximum strength and resistance.
They perform superbly in all environmental conditions. That’s why they are called the best adhesives for the outdoors. They will resist snow, rain, and UV light without any complications.
The drawback of this type of glue is that it usually has higher curing times and requires clamping of the parts bonded.
That being said, it’s still a wonderful option if you have a cork DIY project outdoors. No adhesive will match it in harsh outdoor conditions.
PVA’s
PVA or polyvinyl acetate is one of the most common glues used today. Almost all wood glues are PVA’s.
They make excellent bonds and have average curing times.
These adhesives are perfect for cork and are probably the best glues for cork boards along with cyanoacrylates.
Setting & Curing Time
The Curing and setting time of glue will determine how fast you will finish your crafting project with cork. Obviously, a faster curing time means faster results.
However, sometimes when the project requires the precise assembly of the parts, you might need more open working time with the adhesive. In those instances, it’s better to use glues that have a setting time of a couple of minutes or more.
Usually, cyanoacrylates or superglues will have the fastest setting and curing time. The curing time can be additionally reduced by using an accelerator we mentioned in one of the reviews above. With it, you can reach curing times of as low as 10 seconds!
Viscosity
The right viscosity of glue can make your DIY project much easier and faster. We recommend using medium to high viscosity adhesives for cork.
Low viscosity and liquid glues tend to spill and make a mess since you can’t really control them that much. Those don’t work that well for cork in our experience.
If you want to have some extra time for assembly of the parts, choose higher viscosity glue. These usually set slower and will provide you with the needed precision and time frame so that you to make a good bond.
Strength
The adhesive needs some power as well. You definitely don’t want your parts breaking because of weak bonds.
If your project needs sheer strength, you should consider using polyurethane glue. These adhesives have quite a bit of structural strength and are used for heavy-duty repairs and constructions.
If you need moderate strength, PVA’s and superglues will work just fine. These two have good tensile strength and will hold the bond really well for most of your DIY projects.
Safety Precautions
Working with adhesives can be dangerous if proper measures are not taken. Here are a few tips to make your crafting project a safe experience.
Read the Instructions
This the part we usually skip, but we shouldn’t. Read the instructions from beginning to the end and don’t skip extra important sections like “how to use” and “safety recommendation” sections.
Glue in A Well-Ventilated Area
When you use polyurethane and cyanoacrylate adhesives, you’re inhaling fumes that can make you nauseated or cause a headache. Make sure that the room has enough air circulation to prevent this from happening. Consider using glues that aren’t toxic if you have chronic reactions to these adhesives.
Wear Protective Equipment
We recommend using gloves to protect your hands from the glue. Additional protection can be obtained by using eye goggles and wearing a mask if the inhalation of the fumes makes you sick.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best glue to use on wine corks?
Cyanoacrylate or PVA adhesives work great for gluing wine corks. Polyurethane-based glues work best if you have an outdoor wine cork crafting project.
Can you use Gorilla Glue on cork?
Absolutely! The Gorilla glue is primarily intended for bonding wood. It will bond cork excellently, and you won’t have any issues with it.
Does hot glue work on Cork?
No, it doesn’t. The hot glue gets brittle and doesn’t adhere well to cork. The bond will be weak and will most likely break. We recommend using superglue or PVA glue for most cork DIY projects.
Can you use epoxy on Cork?
Yes, you can! But, it isn’t the most practical and efficient adhesive to use for cork. Cyanoacrylates or superglues and PVA adhesives bond cork perfectly. They have dry faster, are easier to apply, and make bonds as strong as epoxy.
Wrap Up
That’s about it when it comes to the best glue for cork. There are a lot of adhesives that work with cork, but the most efficient ones are polyurethanes, PVA’s, and superglues.
Remember to choose the drying time and viscosity that works the best for you, and never cheap out on the adhesive, or your bond won’t hold.
All the adhesives we reviewed in this article are perfect for bonding cork, so go ahead and pick one, and start working on your next exciting cork DIY project!
