Is there anything more reliable than cork? Cork is used for a wide variety of applications. Cork flooring is a great choice for many reasons, or for even making different structures such as joints.
Cork is naturally water-resistant, making it perfect for high-moisture areas like bathrooms. It’s also antimicrobial and sound-proof, which can be great for homes with children or pets.
But the best cork applications are also glued down to the attaching base, so you want to make sure you’ve chosen the right glue. Here are our reviews on some of the best products to help you find the best glue for cork.
Why trust us? Our readers depend on us to help them with their buying decisions because they value our input and unbiased opinions. We truly appreciate them putting their trust in us.
So grab your favorite drink and a snack and let’s get to reading!
What is Cork?
Cork is a natural fiber that is made from a plant-like root and can come in many different types. They are similar in appearance to the cork with different color variations and textures.
Cork is naturally waterproof, hypoallergenic, and doesn’t require any additional care or maintenance to keep it looking beautiful.
COMPARISON CHART
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | |
|---|---|---|
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1. Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
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2. E6000 237032 Craft Adhesive
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3. Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive
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4. 3M Glue for Cork Board
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5. Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive, Multipurpose and Repositionable
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1. Gorilla White Waterproof Polyurethane Glue
Specification
| QUANTITY | 2 OUNCES |
| COLOR | WHITE |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIAL | Wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, concrete, and much more |
This is a waterproof polyurethane adhesive used to glue cork floors to concrete, wood, and laminate, in addition to an “elastic bonding agent” to make it easy to install the glue to wood or other materials.
GORILLA says that their product is a professional quality adhesive that’s also affordable, and really effective. As mentioned before, they use a polyurethane coating that makes it water-resistant and environmentally-friendly.
It also works great for attaching cork floors to tile. It also comes with an easy-to-follow guide for use, and a user’s manual that walks you through the installation process.
You really can’t go wrong with this GORILLA glue for cork. Being waterproof and extremely durable polyurethane glue is why it is our Editor’s Choice.
WHAT WE LIKE
- It really works great for areas like bathroom finishes, as it offers the best compatibility for this application
- The high-quality waterproof product is a flexible and lightweight adhesive
PROS
- This product can be applied to vinyl, carpet, and hardwood
- It’s really easy to use
- Only takes a little bit to work
CONS
- Takes time to dry
- It dries white, so be careful of the material you are gluing
2. E6000 237032 Craft Adhesive – Best for Cork to Glass
Specification
| QUANTITY | 2 OUNCES |
| COLOR | CLEAR |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIAL | wood, metal, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, masonry, and concrete |
This glue will provide a strong bond for cork, along with a fire retardant and waterproof seal. The two most common uses are for making patio boards for under-cabinet lighting and closet shelves.
The glue also provides a decent amount of dimensional stability. E6000 is a great product for glass as long as you use it properly. The adhesive also tends to be stiff and does not work as well on smaller surfaces.
We did find that it works well with leather, though, so if you choose to do so, you shouldn’t have any problems.
E6000 237032 Craft Adhesive uses less water than other cork adhesive products, so if you’re prone to moisture issues, this is a good choice.
WHAT WE LIKE
- E6000 held up quite well in tests to check its water-resistance
- Bonds glass very well
PROS
- Goes on clear
- Bonds vinyl and plastics quite nicely
CONS
- Some have reported stains on their clothing from the glue, even though it is supposed to be safe for clothing
- The smell can be strong at times
3. Liquid Nails Heavy Duty Construction Adhesive – Best for Cork to Plywood
Specification
| QUANTITY | 10 OUNCES |
| COLOR | LIGHT TAN |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIAL | Brick veneer, particleboard, polystyrene foam board, fiberboard, drywall, imitation stone, wood trim, plywood, and ceiling tiles |
Liquid Nails is a commercial-grade glue that comes in either wood (thin strands of wax) or synthetic glue (long strands). It’s often used for decking and flooring, because it lasts much longer than its adhesive counterparts, and is strong, fast-drying, and easy to apply.
It can also be used as an overlay to help create complex shapes on wood.
This glue is normally applied with a caulking gun or even a thick paintbrush to a subfloor and applied with a single layer.
This is a “love it leave it” product. Quite a few reviewers of this glue are happy with it, but some absolutely hate the newest version. There are some complaints that it’s sticky and becomes hard to spread with a paintbrush, but it’s certainly still better than using nothing at all if you don’t have a caulking gun handy.
WHAT WE LIKE
- This glue is water-resistant
- Can easily fill gaps
PROS
- Made for heavy-duty use
- Works in all-weather applications
- Water-resistant
CONS
- Some buyers think the glue is nowhere as tough as it used to be
- Some feel it takes an unnecessary amount of time for the glue to dry
4. 3M Glue for Cork Board – Best in All-Around Application
Specification
| QUANTITY | 16.7 OUNCES |
| COLOR | CLEAR |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIAL | Foam, Wood, Fiberglass, Leather, Paper |
3M is well known for its range of materials and products, but its GLUE for Cork Board is a rather interesting product. 3M’s glue is very water-resistant, giving you the ability to install it in high-moisture areas without worrying about leaks.
The glue comes in an aerosol can and sprays easily onto any needed surface including cork. Once bonded the glue keeps a tight seal with nearly any surface.
WHAT WE LIKE
With both permanent and removable adhesive components, 3M glue does the job. 3M 3-Way Adhesive is a water-based glue that adheres to any porous surface, including:
- Cork
- Marble
- Wood
- Polished Floors
Some customers prefer 3M because it is faster to apply than other glues, has a good consistency, and leaves no residue after use. To use, simply apply an even amount of the adhesive to the surface you’re going to be using it on.
PROS
- Tackles a very wide variety of materials including leather
- It simply gets the job done
CONS
- Purchasers comment that it “Doesn’t work for them”, but we advise reading the compatibility chart before purchasing
- Some find that the glue is too powerful for their needs
5. Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive, Multipurpose, and Repositionable – Best for Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive
Specification
| QUANTITY | 11 OUNCES |
| COLOR | CLEAR |
| COMPATIBLE MATERIAL | Wood, Foam, Glass, Leather, Paper, Plastic, Metal, Fabric |
This is the only glue we found that will work for both putting down on cork and gluing back up on cork. While it doesn’t have the best moisture and chemical resistance we’ve found, it does have an incredible amount of power.
This glue does an incredible job of adhering cork to the substrate, but the downside is it is quite sticky. To help you work with and use the product, Gorilla Heavy Duty has a tool that helps apply the glue more effectively.
Although this glue does an amazing job, the finish it provides isn’t always consistent, so you may need to adjust the finish to fit your flooring.
WHAT WE LIKE
- GORILLA HEAVY DUTY is a super-strong adhesive that is versatile enough to be used on several different surfaces. Although it is heavier than other glues, it still works very well.
- The glue is manufactured with a “creamy, eggshell-like consistency,” which is especially useful when you have to apply the glue to a wet surface.
- The glue also has a long shelf-life and is compatible with many different surfaces.
- The flexibility of this glue also gives it an advantage when it comes to durability. Because of the way the glue is formulated, it will adhere to just about any surface, even though it may not look as smooth or tidy as products that are glued on. It will also dry quickly, and is therefore suitable for more precise applications.
PROS
- Very powerful spray-on glue
- The spray is easily controlled
- You can reposition items for up to 10 minutes
CONS
- In some cases, the glue can dry quicker than you may realize
- Some buyers have commented that the glue can have a lingering smell long after being applied
- Cannot be used on polyethylene materials
Conclusion
Thanks so much for reading our article about the best glue for cork, we hope you enjoyed it. Our top pick for this round goes to GORILLA WOOD GLUE.
This glue has the versatility to tackle not only cork, but a wide variety of materials that most of us use day to day. GORILLA Wood Glue is highly recommended.
Other Recommendations:
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I am a woodworker with over 19 years of experience crafting everything from furniture to ornamental pieces. I take pride in my ability to bring out the beauty of the wood I work with, creating unique and lasting objects. My passion for woodworking has been a life-long pursuit and I strive to push myself further and further with each new project. I am dedicated to the craft and take great satisfaction in the final product that I create.Read More.
