Professional Solutions for Bonding Glass

Glass is essential for construction, and when properly joined, this delicate material is safely secured for the long term.

Since glass is smooth and non-porous, you must use the correct adhesive to ensure efficient adhesion. Therefore, Adkwik has identified the common frustrations industry professionals face when working with glass and compiled a list of appropriate solutions. 

Use this guide to find the suitable glass adhesive for your challenge – saving you time, money and plenty of frustration.

What to Consider when Bonding Glass

To choose the correct glue for your job, you must consider: the bonding surface, the curing time, the water resistance required, and the tidy, professional appearance of the final result. 

With this in mind, let’s run through common scenarios you’re likely to encounter and which glues are the most appropriate for the job.

Adhesive for Gluing Glass to Wood

When gluing glass to wood, such as in furniture construction or sealing window frames, you need a strong adhesive that will bond to rough and glossy surfaces and adhere despite any natural oils in the wood.

It’s also essential to choose a glue that dries clear once cured to achieve a tidy and professional finish, as glass’s transparent and unforgiving nature shows everything, including any messy or unsightly traces of dried glue.

We recommend clear-setting, gap-filling Hybrid MS Polymer Adhesives for creating a firm and seamless join. Tytex Ultraclear MS Polymer Sealant and Soudaseal MS Clear meet these criteria, creating an almost invisible bond. They also have good water and moisture resistance.

For the best results, ensure that all surfaces are clean before applying the adhesive. 

Adhesive for Gluing Glass to Metal

With this surface, the size and precision of the project are essential. For small, detailed tasks, a superfast gel cyanoacrylate adhesive such as PC09 is ideal. However, remember that these glues dry very quickly and aren’t usually waterproof.

For a weatherproof finish and controllable curing time, opt for an Epoxy Resin, such as West System’s Epoxy Resin and Fast Hardener, which can create a high-strength bond to most substrates and be used in critical applications.

An MS Polymer adhesive, such as Tytex Ultraclear, is also appropriate for gluing glass to metal.

Adhesive Tape for Bonding Glass

A high-performance adhesive tape is an excellent choice for working with glass, particularly in window construction. 

The tape’s success comes from its ability to absorb the different thermal expansions of two materials meaning they can withstand exposure to weather, UV and chemicals. In addition, various materials, including wood, metal, and even glass-to-glass, can be effortlessly bonded using this product.

For bonding false bars to double glazing or the bonding of mirrors, we recommend 6004 White Glass Bonding Tape and 6009 Black Georgian Bar Glazing Tape. 

Tesa 4965 double-sided tape is ideal for mounting rubber/EPDM profiles, including ABS components. In addition to its high strength, it is virtually transparent for a flawless finish making it ideal for heavy stress applications and where a clear tape is needed.

Adhesive tape is also incredibly convenient to work with, which is why we recommend it. There are no mixtures to whip up, no curing times and no messy excesses to worry about, making it an economical and productive solution. 

Select the tape with a width appropriate for your needs, and you’re ready to go.

With the correct adhesives, you can easily elevate your work and resolve problems.

For more information on how to meet your specific adhesive requirements, get in touch with the team by calling 01223 412373, or drop us a message via our online contact form.