Best Wood Flooring Adhesive: 2025 Expert Review
DR Joinery
Expert Joiner & Flooring Specialist
Choosing the right adhesive for wood flooring is often an afterthought for homeowners, but for a joiner, it is the most critical decision in the installation process. In York's older properties, where humidity levels fluctuate and subfloors are rarely level, the adhesive must do more than just stick; it needs to perform technically.
There is a vast difference between gluing down a solid oak floor to concrete and gluing the tongue-and-groove joints of a floating engineered floor. Using the wrong product can lead to warping, cupping, or that dreaded hollow sound when you walk.
In this review, I'll break down three distinct types of adhesive: a budget-friendly D3 PVA for floating floors, a professional-grade flexible polymer for full surface bonding, and a foaming PU glue for problem-solving subfloors and squeaks.
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Specs vs. The Real World
The Spec: "Flexible / Elastic"
"Adhesive allows the wood to move naturally without breaking the bond."
This is vital. Solid wood expands and contracts with the seasons. If you use a rigid glue (like standard 'No More Nails' types) on a floor, the wood will eventually shear off the subfloor. Only use specific flexible flooring adhesive.
The Spec: "Covers X Square Metres"
"Manufacturer coverage rates assume a perfectly flat, glass-like subfloor."
In real-world renovations, especially in older Yorkshire terraces, subfloors are pitted and uneven. You will almost always use 10-15% more glue than the tub says to get full coverage and avoid voids.
My Top 3 Recommendations
Three options to cover different needs and budgets
Gorilla Wood Glue 236 ml
Gorilla
This is not for gluing planks to the subfloor, but it is the industry standard for gluing the tongue and groove joints on 'floating' installations. At this price point, it offers excellent bond strength for joining boards together without breaking the bank.
The Good
- Incredibly strong bond for wood-to-wood joints
- D3 water resistance protects against minor spills
- Dries natural colour, hiding minor joinery errors
The Bad
- Not suitable for full surface bonding to concrete
- Sets relatively quickly, so you must work efficiently
Installer Tip:
When applying to the tongue and groove, use a damp cloth to wipe away squeeze-out immediately. Do not let it dry on the surface of pre-finished oak, or it will mar the finish permanently. A wet rag is your best friend here.
Priced at £4.80 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonEverbuild Lumberjack 650 Hardwood Flooring Adhesive – Buff – 14kg
Everbuild
For a professional 'stick-down' installation of solid or engineered wood, this is the product we reach for. It is a high-grade hybrid polymer that stays permanently flexible, allowing the timber to move with humidity changes without lifting.
The Good
- Remains flexible to accommodate timber expansion
- Excellent gap-filling for slightly uneven subfloors
- Contains no water, so won't warp the wood
The Bad
- Significant investment per tub
- Heavy and messy if you aren't experienced with a trowel
Installer Tip:
Use the correct V-notched trowel specified for your flooring thickness. Spread the adhesive in arcs, and only spread what you can cover in 20 minutes. If this adhesive skins over before you lay the wood, the bond will fail.
Priced at £130.00 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonChipstick D4 PU Foaming Chipboard Flooring Glue
Chip Stick
This is a polyurethane (PU) foaming glue, ideal for subfloor preparation rather than finishing. If you are laying chipboard sheets before your hardwood, or need to fix loose, squeaking floorboards, this expanding foam glue ensures a rock-solid, gap-free base.
The Good
- Expands to fill voids and stop squeaks
- D4 waterproof rating for high durability
- Incredibly strong structural bond
The Bad
- Uncontrollable expansion can be messy
- Will stain skin black for days (wear gloves!)
Installer Tip:
This glue expands significantly. If you are using it to fix a loose board or a step, ensure you weight it down heavily or clamp it whilst it cures; otherwise, the foam expansion will push the component up and out of alignment.
Priced at £29.99 at the time of writing
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
Can I use PVA glue to stick solid wood to concrete?
Do I need to prime the floor before gluing?
What is the difference between floating and stick-down installation?
How much adhesive do I need?
Why does my new floor sound hollow in patches?
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