7 Best Glues For Foam Board You Must Buy In 2024
In This Article
If you plan to try your artistic skills on a foam board or use the board in the office or home, you should pay attention to what glue you use. This is because the wrong glue can be a waste of money and time and a waste of material. Therefore we have included a list of the best glues for foam boards, including foam board hot glues, wood glues, spray adhesives for foam boards, and construction adhesives. Selecting a suitable foam glue forms the basis for creating something artistic and spectacular with these boards. Keep scrolling to go through these time-tested and high-performance options and take your pick.
Top Picks
7 Best Glues For Foam Boards
1. Best Acid-Free: Elmer’s-E5010 Extra Strength Glue Sticks
Elmer’s classic Extra Strength glue stick is available in a pack of four and can be used by your entire family. The tried-and-tested glue stick is ideal for any task at the office or home and is compatible with cardboards, foam boards, envelopes, computer paper, display boards, and more. It is especially great for mounting labels, charts, and pictures on your foam boards. Elmer’s-E5010 glue sticks give a secured seal and a little goes a long way. The washable formula ensures easy removal from your hand.
Pros
- Non-toxic
- Super smooth
- Photo-safe formula
- Acid-free
- Rapid setting time
Cons
- Small in size
"This glue stick worked great for my daughter's school projects. The stick applicator is easy to use, and it dries quickly. While not suitable for use with heavier materials, it makes a great pick for everyday crafting projects."
2. Best Durable: Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue
Aleene’s efficient quick-dry tacky glue is one of the best foam board adhesives due to its versatility and durability. It takes just 35 minutes to dry compared to traditional glues that take more than an hour. The three-pack multipurpose glue is great for craft, small repairs, and more. It is effective on surfaces such as metal, rigid foam boards, paper, and wood. Moreover, the formula is easy to clean from surfaces.
Pros
- Can be used on multiple materials
- Durable
- Easy to clean
- Super strong
- Non-toxic
- Odorless
Cons
- May not dry clearly
"I have been using this glue for various crafting needs, and it's pretty easy to use with minimal drying time. Its odorless nature is a big plus! Also, it doesn't always dry clear, but I recommend it for its versatility."
3. Best Foam-Friendly:Bob Smith Industries Foam & Cure Craft Glue
This foam board construction adhesive from Bob Smith Industries is a silicone-based formula that works well with EPP and EPO foams. It is also compatible with wood, plastic, cardboard, and more. The glue takes around 10-12 hours to bond with full strength.
Pros
- Fast tacking
- Clear finish
- Foam friendly
- Strong bond
- Good consistency
Cons
- May take time to stick
"This adhesive is strong and versatile, serving its purpose as intended. I found the nozzle handy for precise application. Although it takes a little longer to dry, the final result is a sturdy and flexible bond, making it a great pick."
4. Best Low-Odor: Loctite PL 300 Foamboard Construction Adhesive
Loctite PL 300 Foamboard glue is thick and gooey and does its job decently. The tried-and-tested formula is based on water latex that bonds other surfaces to foam as well. It is one of the best glues for foam boards for both exterior and interior use and is also suitable for bridging minor gaps. This construction adhesive for foamboard is also effective on concrete, bricks, metal, and wood. Check out a tester’s experience with using the glue in this review video.
Pros
- Versatile
- Fills in small gaps
- No burn through
- Works in all weather conditions
- Easy to apply with a caulking gun
Cons
- May not be fast-drying
"I tried this adhesive recently, and it works well on gaps and moisture-prone areas, offering a lasting bond. Other than continuous oozing post-application, it worked great for me. Overall, a satisfactory choice."
5. Best Versatile:Beacon Hold The Foam Glue
Beacon Hold The Foam glue is designed to bond all types of foams, including styrofoam, fabrics, beads, cardboards, paper, and more. The non-inflammable formula is safe to use and easy to clean, and the thickened formula reduces in weight once it’s dry.
Pros
- Washable
- Toxic-free
- Bonds most materials
- Quick-drying
Cons
- May take time to stick firmly
"This glue proved reliable for my styrofoam projects—drying firm and offering a lasting bond. It does need a little bit of practice to spread over larger surfaces due to its thick consistency, but overall, it is a great adhesive."
6. Best Toxic-Free:Uhu Magic Blue Stick
Uhu Magic Blue Stick is a multi-utility pack of 12 sticks with a screw-on cap to keep the glue safe and secured without drying. It runs blue when applied but dries on in clear shade. The efficient glue is formulated to give a long-lasting foam bonding with just a single stroke.
Pros
- Easy to wash
- Solvent-free
- Easy to use
- Acid-free
- Non-toxic
Cons
- May have a wet consistency
"The color-changing formula of this glue appeals to my son, and he's been using it for his DIY projects for a while now. It dries quickly and is reliable as an on-the-go adhesive. It's been a great addition to his crafting kit."
7. Best Easy-To-Use:Beacon Foam-Tac Minis Adhesive
This reliable mini pack of six tubes is a perfect solution for permanently bonding all types of foam including EVA, EVP, and styrofoam. It is also effective on wood, depron, lexon, and carbon fiber, making it the ideal choice for experts. Each five-millimeter tube runs smoothly on the product and creates a permanent bond without getting hard and brittle.
Pros
- Residue-free
- Strong formula
- Multipurpose use
- Dries clearly
- Even coverage
Cons
- One time use only
"The small tubes of this glue proved to be a great help for my RC toys. They come in handy for on-the-go repairs, work fast, and provide a firm yet flexible bond. They have become a staple in my repair kit for mending unexpected mishaps."
How To Choose The Right Glue For Foam Board?
Here are a few suggestions to let you choose the right glue for foam board.
- Fast drying: Look for high-quality glues that do not take too much time to dry.
- Safety: Ensure the glue is non-toxic and easy to clean.
- Size: Consider the size of the glue stick or tube. Bigger ones will help you when working on large projects, while smaller ones can be convenient in that you do not have to worry about them drying.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What glue can I use on styrofoam?
Adhesive-based glues without solvents are the best for styrofoam, and children may use water-based craft glue to stick pieces of styrofoam. Note that styrofoam burns at low temperatures, and therefore, you should avoid hot glue.
2. At what temperature does glue melt?
Different ingredients used in the making of glue lead to varying melting temperatures. While hot glue for foam board can sustain temperatures up to 135 °C, gel glue starts melting at 80 °C. Fabric glue is flexible and moderately hot, and it melts at 40 °C.
3. How can I protect foam boards from excessive moisture?
To protect your board from warping due to excessive moisture, a tried-and-tested trick is to use glue with low water content and high solids content.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah writes well-researched articles on electronic appliances, automobiles, and household items. He has compiled this list of the best glue for foam boards after researching the reviews of users and comparing different proven products to offer you an unbiased opinion. He has also put together a buying guide with the pros and cons of each product to help you make an informed decision according to your needs.
The Bottom Line
Creating art using foam boards becomes a lot easier when you have the best glues for foam boards. Whether you are using a foam board for office purposes or honing your artistic skills, you may opt for any of the tried and trusted options, as they are listed after thorough research. However, make sure to go for the one that sticks and dries faster and is non-toxic, odorless, and durable. We recommend the Elmer’s-E5010 Extra Strength Glue Sticks for its washable formula and the Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue for its bonding strength and versatility. Further, consider factors like the size of the project and ease of cleaning before purchasing.
Infographic: Points To Consider When Sticking Foam Board
Foam craft can be tricky as you have to be mindful of the properties of the glue—when selecting and applying—to avoid damaging the foam and preventing the release of toxic fumes from a bad reaction. So, check out the following infographic to learn more about styrofoam gluing techniques.
References
- Evidence for birch bark tar use as an adhesive and decorative element in Early Iron Age central Italy: technological and socio‐economic implications
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323608374_Evidence_for_birch_bark_tar_use_as_an_adhesive_and_decorative_element_in_Early_Iron_Age_central_Italy_technological_and_socio-economic_implications
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