Bonding wood to concrete presents a unique challenge: the two materials expand and contract at different rates, concrete is often damp, and the bond must resist both shear loads and pull-out forces. Standard wood glues simply do not work here. These five picks are formulated for the specific demands of wood-to-concrete installation, whether you are setting sill plates, laying sleepers, or attaching furring strips.
| Product | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Loctite PL Premium | Sill plates, subfloors, furring strips | 4.8/5 |
| Liquid Nails Subfloor & Deck | Subfloor panels on concrete slabs | 4.6/5 |
| Gorilla Construction Adhesive | General wood-to-concrete bonding | 4.5/5 |
| Simpson Strong-Tie ET22 Epoxy | Structural anchoring, seismic applications | 4.7/5 |
| DAP Weldwood Contact Cement | Sleepers and thin wood panels | 4.3/5 |
Loctite PL Premium — Best Overall for Wood to Concrete
Loctite PL Premium is the most widely specified construction adhesive for wood-to-concrete applications in residential and light commercial construction. Its polyurethane formula cures by reacting with atmospheric and substrate moisture, giving it an advantage over solvent-based adhesives on slabs with residual dampness. It provides a high-strength, flexible bond that resists vibration and thermal cycling. Application through a standard caulk gun is fast for long runs of sill plate or sleeper lumber. The adhesive is rated for both above-grade and below-grade applications, making it suitable for basement framing installations. Full cure takes 24-72 hours.
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Liquid Nails Subfloor & Deck — Best for Subfloor Panels
Liquid Nails Subfloor and Deck adhesive is formulated specifically for the loads and moisture conditions in subfloor installation. When used with concrete as a substrate (as in a slab-on-grade floor assembly), it creates a creep-resistant bond that eliminates squeaks caused by panel movement. The formula has a good open time of about 10-15 minutes, which allows workers to set large OSB or plywood panels before the adhesive skins. It exceeds APA AFG-01 performance standards. For sleepers laid flat on a concrete slab before a wood subfloor is installed, this adhesive is the builder’s standard.
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Gorilla Construction Adhesive — Best for General Projects
Gorilla Construction Adhesive’s modified silane formula grips both porous concrete and wood fiber effectively. It is solvent-free and emits low VOCs, making it a practical choice for enclosed basement or indoor applications where ventilation is limited. The flexible cured bond handles the differential movement between wood and concrete through seasonal humidity changes. Gorilla’s formula bonds without mechanical fasteners for lighter loads such as furring strip installation on above-grade concrete walls. It is available in both standard and small tubes, which is convenient for repair and touch-up work.
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Simpson Strong-Tie ET22 Epoxy — Best for Structural Anchoring
Simpson Strong-Tie ET22 is a two-component epoxy specifically formulated for anchoring bolts, rebar, and wood connectors into concrete. When the application requires maximum pull-out resistance — such as a sill plate anchor in a high-wind or seismic zone — epoxy anchoring adhesive far exceeds what standard construction adhesive can provide. ET22 is ICC-ESR listed for cracked and uncracked concrete. It is dispensed into a drilled hole and used in conjunction with a threaded rod or anchor bolt that passes through the wood member. It is not a surface adhesive but an anchoring system.
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DAP Weldwood Contact Cement — Best for Sleepers and Thin Panels
DAP Weldwood Contact Cement works differently from the other products here: both surfaces are coated, allowed to become tacky, then pressed together for an instant bond. This makes it useful for thin wood panels, veneer, and wood sleepers laid flat where clamping or bracing is impractical. The bond holds well on smooth concrete surfaces and is solvent-resistant. It is not suited for structural loads but performs well for decorative panels, wall sheathing, and thin strip flooring base layers. Ensure good ventilation — the solvent-based formula produces fumes during application.
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How to Choose a Construction Adhesive for Wood to Concrete
The key variables are moisture level in the concrete, required bond strength, and whether mechanical fasteners will supplement the adhesive. For most residential framing and subfloor work, a polyurethane cartridge adhesive like Loctite PL Premium or Liquid Nails Subfloor is the correct choice. Where local building codes require positive anchor connections for sill plates, supplement with epoxy anchor adhesive and threaded hardware. Check that the concrete surface is free of dust, efflorescence, and curing compounds, which all reduce adhesion. For below-grade applications, verify the product is rated for continuous moisture exposure.
For additional guidance, read our articles on best construction adhesives for wood to wood and the full best construction adhesives comparison. Our methodology page explains how we evaluate each product.
Frequently asked questions
What adhesive works best for bonding wood to concrete?+
Polyurethane construction adhesives like Loctite PL Premium and Liquid Nails Subfloor are the most common choice for wood-to-concrete bonds. They cure by reacting with moisture, which actually helps when concrete has residual dampness. Epoxy anchoring adhesives are used when maximum pull-out strength is needed, such as for sill plates in seismic zones.
Will construction adhesive bond wood to wet or damp concrete?+
Most solvent-based adhesives require dry concrete surfaces for a reliable bond. Moisture-cure polyurethane adhesives like Loctite PL Premium are the exception -- they perform adequately on slightly damp concrete because moisture activates the curing process. For truly wet slabs, a surface should be dried as much as possible before application regardless of adhesive type.