No one wants a deck that is susceptible to weights or rots. For this reason, composite deckings are usually held in place by fasteners and water-resistant adhesives.
Some homeowners use Gorilla glue for installing composite decking seeking durability.
But does this adhesive match up to expectations? If you want an answer, keep reading!
Construction Gorilla glue goes well on composite lumber due to its strong bonding capabilities. Also, this adhesive is not affected by cold or hot temperatures, making it durable every season. Furthermore, this glue is water-resistant and can keep your composite decking in shape for years.
In this article, I’ll discuss whether Gorilla glue works on composite decking, which glue is best for composite decking, and more.
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Will Gorilla Glue Work on Composite Decking?
Gorilla glue works on composite decking. However, to get a stronger and longer-lasting construction, you should use this adhesive and fasteners like screws.
When it comes to attaching modern decking, boards are primarily held in place with mechanical fasteners and not glue.
Meanwhile, glue is a secondary bonding substance in composite decking.
Gorilla glue has a polyurethane and epoxy formula that bonds plastics, wood, or dissimilar materials.
For this reason, this construction adhesive is common to composite deck builders.
Remember that Gorilla glue has an open working time of 20 minutes. If this time exceeds, it will no longer bond the surfaces together.
Therefore, after applying the glue, you’d have to position and clamp the surfaces together within the working time.
Also, allow the adhesive to dry for at least 24 hours for a strong and long-lasting hold between decking boards.Â
Furthermore, this glue works well for indoor and outdoor projects due to its waterproof and temperature-resistant nature.
While composite decking is more durable than wood decking, it’s still susceptible to rot.
So, you would worry less about deterioration by using Gorilla adhesive in conjunction with screws.
The glue protects the decking boards from declining elements and extends their lifespan. Not only that, but Gorilla adhesive also adds a natural color to your project when it dries.
Is Gorilla Glue Good or Composite Decking?
Gorilla glue comes as a polyurethane or epoxy bonding material, and both adhesive forms are good for composite decking. Gorilla glue is suitable for outdoor applications like deck building.
Joining composite decking with Gorilla glue and fasteners such as screws and nails is a powerful way to hold the decking in place.Â
Although gluing is an additional attachment method, it makes a long-lasting deck.
Furthermore, glue makes it much harder for the deck to rot because exposed areas of the board remain sealed.
Fixing a decking with Gorilla glue prevents water from penetrating and keeps the deck from mold and fungal growth.
However, it may take a longer time to finish your deck when using glue and other attachment methods. But you’d be glad when the deck is complete.
Using adhesive will reduce the number of visible screws in your construction. Also, this glue can withstand both hot and cold conditions.
In other words, Gorilla adhesive won’t break down during rainy, sunny, or snowy seasons.
Additionally, there’s no need to worry about the glue color you use. Once the product dries, you can stain it with any color that matches your deck board.
The table below contains the advantages and disadvantages of using glue on composite decking.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It extends the lifespan of your composite decking. | It’s time-consuming to apply adhesive to composite decking. |
| It makes decking material moisture-resistant. | It is expensive. |
Best Glue For Composite Decking
Several composite bonding chemicals include epoxy, polyurethane, cyanoacrylates, and structural Acrylic Adhesives.
But which form of glue is the best? The answer depends on your composite material’s requirements and the attachment process.
#1. Epoxy Adhesives
After applying epoxy adhesives, you should clamp the components to ensure the piece stays properly fixed.
Epoxy glue displays an amazing shock-absorbing property and can hold components together with high strength when it dries.
Furthermore, epoxy adhesives can cure indoor and outdoor conditions.
These attributes and the versatility of this adhesive make Gorilla Epoxy glue the best overall for composite decking.
#2. Polyurethane Adhesives
Like epoxy glue, construction-grade polyurethane adhesives also attach composite decking components.
In addition, polyurethanes are suitable for outdoor use and are highly durable. Gorilla glue also comes as a polyurethane adhesive.
#3. Cyanoacrylates
They are instant adhesives making quick, strong bonds between composite materials.
Also, cyanoacrylate adhesives are often used as clamps to hold pieces in place, while a longer curing adhesive reacts to bond surfaces together.
#4. Structural Acrylic
Surface-activated structural acrylic and 1:1 mix structural acrylic adhesives provide high-strength bonds to composite decking projects.
Furthermore, surface-activated acrylic adhesives have a fast curing action. On the other hand, a 1:1 mix ratio of methyl methacrylates can serve as gap-filling elements.
Related: Can You Glue TPO To TPO? (Read This First)
How To Use Gorilla Glue on Composite Decking?
Follow the guide below to get the best results when building your composite decking with Gorilla glue.
#1. Glue Application
Prepare the pieces before introducing glue and apply a glue line on both surfaces. Apply enough glue to see a bead of squeeze-outs when clamping.
Furthermore, press the components firmly into place and ensure the areas you applied adhesive rest against each other.
#2. Use a Clamp
Many factors determine the kind of clamp to use and how you should use it. However, consider the deck material you’re dealing with and the board arrangement.
Generally, apply pressure that will cause a squeeze out of glue. Impact pressure for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
Additionally, Gorilla glue reaches its full bonding strength in 24 hours.
#3. Clean Up
Wipe off excess glue from the deck surface with a clean and damp cloth. It would be best to clean up glue while it’s wet.
When the adhesive completely dries, you can use a sharp putty knife to remove hardened glue.
However, be careful and gentle on the surface while using a sharp object.
Conclusion
It’s possible to use construction-grade Gorilla glue on composite decking, and below are other points to remember:
- The Gorilla Epoxy glue is suitable for composite deck construction.
- Use Gorilla glue with screws to build a long-lasting composite deck.
Using glue while building a composite deck is beneficial, but the process is time-consuming.
