Foam board insulation takes a construction adhesive whose maker lists it. Many glues rule out polystyrene foam, and Sashco says its Lexel sealant will dissolve it.
Gluing
Foam
foam board, insulation
foam board, insulation
Where
What holds
Construction adhesive or hybrid polymer glue
10 products have both surfaces on their makers’ lists.
Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear (construction adhesive). Fully cures within 24 hours. Waterproof, and the surfaces can be wet.
Loctite Shoe Glue (hybrid polymer glue). Cures in about 24 to 48 hours. Not for bonding two non-porous surfaces, such as metal to metal.
Original Gorilla Glue (polyurethane glue). Clamp 1 to 2 hours; best after 24 hours. Waterproof (ANSI/HPVA Type I), and it expands as it cures.
Gorilla Clear Grip (contact adhesive). Let it dry about 2 minutes before joining; full cure takes at least 24 hours. Waterproof. Gorilla labels it flammable.
Gorilla Fabric Glue (fabric glue). Full cure in 24 hours; wait 3 days before washing or ironing.
Loctite PL Premium Construction Adhesive (construction adhesive). Cures in 24 to 48 hours; support the work for the first 24. Goes on wet or frozen surfaces.
4 more products list both.
Check which foam it is. E6000 and Loctite’s super glues rule out polystyrene foam by name, and Gorilla lists foam for Clear Grip and Fabric Glue while ruling out polystyrene. Loctite PL Premium names EPS, XPS and polyiso foam boards.
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Glues their makers rule out for polystyrene foam
Not for polystyrene foam, in each maker’s words
Product
What its maker says
E6000
Not for Styrofoam or any polystyrene
E6000 Plus
Not recommended for foam
Loctite Super Glue Gel Control, Plastics Bonding System, Glass Glue
Not for polystyrene foams or foam rubber
Loctite Vinyl, Fabric & Plastic
Not for polystyrene foam boards or foam rubber
Sashco Lexel (sealant)
Not for polystyrene foam insulation: Lexel will dissolve it
Red Devil PU-970 (sealant)
Not recommended with polystyrene foams
Glues that list foam board
Several construction adhesives name foam insulation. Loctite PL Premium lists EPS, XPS and polyiso boards, but not the polyethylene film some XPS and EPS boards are covered with. Loctite PL Premium Max and Power Grab Ultimate list EPS and XPS, Loctite’s Extreme Glue and Metal Glue list polystyrene foam including EPS, XPS and polyiso, and Liquid Nails lists foamboard for Fuze*It Max.
Loctite says some materials may have bonding difficulties with PL Premium and to test before use. A scrap of the same foam is the safe place to try any glue.
Loctite lists polystyrene foam boards (EPS and XPS) for PL Premium and Extreme Glue. E6000 and three Loctite super glues rule polystyrene foam out.
Can I use E6000 on foam?
Not on Styrofoam. Eclectic says E6000 isn't recommended for any polystyrene, and says E6000 Plus isn't for foam.
Can I use caulk on foam board?
Check the sealant's sheet first. Sashco says Lexel will dissolve polystyrene foam insulation, and Red Devil rules out its PU-970 for polystyrene foams.
The foams each glue takes and rules out come from Loctite’s, Gorilla’s, Eclectic’s, Liquid Nails’, Sashco’s and Red Devil’s own pages and data sheets. Checked against published data from Henkel, Gorilla Glue Company, Eclectic Products, Pittsburgh Paints Company and Red Devil (plus 1 more).
See all 20 sources
Gorilla Glue Company, Original Gorilla Glue: product page, FAQ and SDS (2024)