Every workshop needs reliable wood adhesives to cater to different woodworking projects and repairs. Even though Titebond and Gorilla stand out as some of the most potent wood glues, I’ve noticed many fellow woodworkers sometimes get the wrong ones, likely due to the nuances between them being somewhat unclear.
Rather than just going by the buzz, I took it upon myself to delve deeper and draw up a detailed strength comparison between Titebond and Gorilla wood glue.
Gorilla or Titebond Wood Glue?
Review of the Titebond Wood Glues (II, III, and Original)
If you’re often engaged with heavy-duty woodworking projects, the thick viscosity of Titebond Glue should fulfill your adhesive needs. It’s the best wood glue to use on different wood surfaces because it has a strong bond to the material that’s almost unbreakable.
Unlike regular woodworking project adhesives, Titebond Glue offers water-resistant components. It means that this wood glue is compliant with Type I ANSI and HPVA specifications.
Besides being one of the high-quality waterproof wood glues, it also doesn’t expand or foam in between wood pieces. Because of this, it has better adhesion than polyurethane glue.
During our wood glue strength test, it only took around one hour of clamp time for it to settle down the wood surface. And as long as it’s categorized as PVA glue (like Titebond II), you won’t have issues applying it.
How To Use Titebond Wood Glue
Before you use Titebond wood glue, don’t forget to check if the wood surface is clean. If you need to smoothen the grain surfaces and edges, I suggest utilizing portable band saws to solve this dilemma.
While some users will insist on using a handsaw for this task, we don’t vouch for this tool because it can fail to evenly cut wood surfaces and lead to problems during glue application.
When I’m using Titebond glue, I always make sure the material’s moisture content sits between 6 to 8%. If you want the Titebond glue to settle well, you should also maintain the humidity levels in the workshop below 50 percent.
After these preparations, carefully apply the Titebond glue to the material with a glue brush. It has to be the right amount, as too little and too much glue could ruin your DIY projects.
If your joinery work spills over because of excess glue, it could create a mess in your working space. Meanwhile, applying small amounts would only result in a weak bond and glue strength.
Spread the wood glue by brushing it as the pieces squeeze together for a more even application. And to ensure that the materials stick together, hold them in with a clamp.
Don’t set it with too much pressure because this could cause the Titebond glue to ooze out from the wood joint.
What I Like
- It’s non-toxic and safe for children to use
- It's FDA-approved for indirect food contact
- The bond it creates is stronger compared to polyurethane glues
- Its resistance to solvents and water is commendable
- Easy to clean with water and sanding
- It works best for industrial applications
What I Didn't Like
- The wood glue may grow thick when exposed to low temperatures.
- Not suitable for structural joinery with heavy materials.
- It often turns dark after the wood glue settles and dries.
Things To Consider
- If the wood glue gets into your clothing, dampen and wipe it immediately.
- Titebond works fine, but you must be mindful of the moisture level.
Review of the Gorilla Wood Glue
At first glance, you may think that Gorilla wood glue is whiter than other options, but trust me when we say it’s darker when applied to the wood. Compared to other wood glue products, this glue is more versatile as it works well with softwood, hardwood, and natural wood composites.
You may not know, but Gorilla wood glue is a staple in the industry and highly trusted among many brands in the market. As it’s made of PVA and water, it’s faster to dry than other wood glues, with less than an hour of clamping and 24-hour curing.
As it complies with Type II ANSI and HVPA guidelines [1], you can be sure that Gorilla wood glue offers great water resistance and protects wood from mold buildup. On top of that, this Gorilla product doesn’t have added dyes to its mixture.
How To Use The Gorilla Wood Glue
Like the previous methods, ensure the wood surface is free of dirt and residues before applying the Gorilla wood glue. It’ll also be an easy task if your material is cut evenly before the application.
One piece of advice I always give for accuracy is to do a trial run. Try to connect the wood pieces without wood glue to determine how you want these materials to stick.
As you apply the Gorilla wood glue on the surface, remember to balance it out. Spreading too little glue on the wood would weaken the joint, and putting too much wood glue could lead to a messy situation.
You can also try to even out the Gorilla wood glue between the joints with a small brush.
What I Like
- It's easy to clean and wipe away
- Not toxic and safe for users of all ages
- One of the best wood glues for outdoor settings
- It can resist heat and corrosion
- Durability-wise, it’s long-lasting and waterproof
What I Didn't Like
- If you observe closely, it foams a bit upon drying.
- With air exposure, the wood glue will dry up fast (even inside the bottle).
Things To Consider
- You can’t use Gorilla wood glue on heavy-duty tasks.
- This glue is only suitable for wood materials, not plastic.
- It comes with a nozzle bottle to avoid accidental squirting.
Gorilla and Titebond Wood Glue Comparison at a Glance
Features | Gorilla Wood Glue | Titebond Wood Glues (II, III, Premium) |
Brand | Gorilla | Titebond |
Manufacturer Name | The Gorilla Glue Company | Franklin International |
Glue Type | PVA-based | PVA-based, Epoxy-based (Titebond III) |
Glue Strength | Strong Bond | Excellent Bond |
Clamp Time | Around 25 to 30 minutes | Around 30 minutes to over an hour |
Available Colors | Light | Dark |
Recommended Applications | Cross-grain Surfaces | Grained Wood Surface |
Durability | Great | Excellent |
Price | Affordable | A bit expensive |
Shelf Life | Up to 2 years | Up to 2 years or beyond |
Main Differences Between Gorilla and Titebond Wood Glue
Carpeting Jobs Clamping Time
Gorilla wood glue typically needs just around half an hour of clamping time to settle, which I’ve found quite efficient, especially compared to some alternatives.
Now, it’s worth noting that something like Titebond wood glue also does the job quite well, drying in about an hour. While some might see this as a minor difference, I’ve found these details can matter depending on the project at hand.
Titebond and Gorilla wood glue options take around 24 hours to cure and completely dry. However, you can use air dryers and fans to dry the materials faster.
Versatility for Application
Both wood glue products work well as softwood, hardwood, and composite adhesives.
However, you should know that their components suit different wooden surfaces. While Titebond wood glue sticks well on grained materials, Gorilla wood glue offers a stronger bond with cross-grained lumber.
Because of this, it’s a clear tie for this round of Gorilla vs. Titebond wood glue comparison.
Color After Drying
In my hands-on work, I noticed that Gorilla wood glue has a lighter hue compared to Titebond. It adopts a more wood-like color, which is quite handy since it tends to blend in better during furniture repairs. It’s those subtle details that can make a difference in the finished look.
On the contrary, Titebond wood glue dries with a brown color. Unlike Gorilla wood glue, applying it on light-colored surfaces will ruin the material’s appearance. However, adding this wood glue won’t be a problem if the material is dark brown.
Bond Strength in Wood
If you’re joining heavy-duty materials, Titebond can offer better strength than Gorilla wood glue. Even with our extensive woodworking experience, this wood glue provides a stronger bond than most options in the market.
Although Gorilla wood glue has great strength, it can’t hold together heavy wooden materials because it forms a weak joint that can break from too much pressure. It’s best to use this glue when handling lighter materials.
Bond Longevity
From my hands-on testing, I observed that Gorilla wood glue tends to stiffen once it dries. This characteristic might compromise its longevity, especially when compared to Titebond. This is also likely why it might be more susceptible to breaks in certain conditions.
Gap-Filling Elements
For tasks that involve filling medium to large gaps, I highly recommend choosing Titebond over Gorilla wood glue. Titebond offers better adhesive ability, making it more suitable for extensive wood-to-wood gluing tasks.
Price and Value
Although Titebond is stronger than Gorilla wood glue, the latter is still more expensive. Rather than their durability, Gorilla products are easier to apply and have a color that blends well with wood materials.
However, buying an inexpensive Titebond glue is more economical and wise if you’re after its adhesive strength and longevity.
Shelf Life
As we mentioned earlier, the Gorilla wood glue is more likely to dry out inside the bottle when exposed to air. In contrast, Titebond options can last more than the shelf life indicated on their labels.
So in this section of Gorilla and Titebond options, the latter holds the better shelf life expectancy.
Similarities of Titebond and Gorilla Glue
PVA-based
Both glue options are made with PVA components, so it’s no surprise they’re easy to apply. Having compared them with various other adhesives, I’ve observed that they tend not to foam as much and have a commendable sticking power.
It’s these subtle qualities that set them apart in certain applications.
Low-Temperature Reaction
The battle of perks in this Gorilla and Titebond review ends when these adhesives get long, low thermal exposures. Sold conditions can render these glue options ineffective as they have similar components.
Waiting Time
Although Gorilla glue only needs 25 to 30 minutes of clamping, both options are subjected to a whole day of curing.
Which Should You Choose Between the Titebond and Gorilla Glue?
As you weigh the perks of Gorilla wood glue against the Titebond adhesive, you should remember that it still depends on what materials you are gluing together.
Titebond options with better strength are better if you handle heavy wooden pieces or you want to create a robust wood joints. However, you should choose Gorilla products if you don’t want the glue to be noticeable.
FAQ
Is Titebond 3 better than Titebond 2?
Both glue options for Titebond are suitable for interior and exterior projects because of their adhesive power and water-resistant components. However, Titebond 3 works better on wooden surfaces than Titebond 2.
Is the Gorilla Wood Glue recommended for heavy wood projects?
No, you can’t use Gorilla wood glue for tough DIY projects that deal with load-bearing tasks. However, you can opt for mechanical fasteners to aid its adhesiveness.
Do the glues expand in size when applied to a joint?
Yes, some glue options expand in size when applied to a joint. Thanks to this, it creates a durable bond between the two materials joined together. But will super glue work on wood best? Find out here.
Is the Titebond glue tougher than glue?
Titebond glue is the golden standard in woodworking because it bonds well, so it’s undoubtedly tougher than regular adhesives.
Can the Gorilla glue be applied to plastic drawers?
Using Gorilla wood glue on plastic materials isn’t the best option because it doesn’t hold well on surfaces with oil and plasticizer components. I suggest using the best super glue for this task.
Also Read: Epoxy vs Super Glue
Conclusion
After comparing the capacities of Gorilla vs. Titebond wood glue, it’s clear as day that they cater to different levels of tasks.
Instead of pitting their perks against each other, our testers suggest utilizing both adhesives according to your project needs. After all, being a woodworker requires handling different materials, from light to heavy.
You've probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
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