If you’re into construction or are a DIY enthusiast, owning the best subfloor adhesive is a must. Not only is subfloor adhesive used to glue the panels together, but it also helps get rid of squeaky flooring.
Even though it is not required by code to use subfloor adhesive, it is common practice to help reduce movement at the panel and joist connection.
Owning a quality subfloor adhesive also improves the stiffness of the floor thereby improving its longevity.
However, the sheer number of options in the market can make one’s head spin. Even when you have understood the need for a subfloor adhesive, it is not always clear which one should get. This is because various aspects must be considered when buying the best subfloor adhesive.
Fortunately for you, in this article, we are taking a look at some of these aspects and reviewing the top five subfloor adhesives that are available in the market.
We shall also cover a few basic FAQs that are associated with such products. So, without further ado, let’s get to the Best Subfloor Adhesive review.
Great Stuff 343087 PRO 26.5-Ounce Construction AdhesiveBest Professional Subfloor Adhesive
Our top entry is a heavy-duty construction adhesive by Great Stuff. It sticks well and tight and can be applied on a variety of surfaces.
Application
Great Stuff construction adhesive is not only used for subfloors, but also drywall, foam panels, paneling, and other construction materials. As such it can be used for both interior and exterior applications.
Performance
Being a premium-grade polyurethane foam adhesive it adheres to frozen, dry, and damp lumber. When used with a dispensing gun, which is sold separately, users can easily apply adhesive to subfloors.
Using Great Stuff construction adhesive reduces nail pops and floor squeaks and keeps subfloors nice and quiet. One full can cover as much as 16 qt. of regular caulk adhesive.
- Adjustable Bead Size
- Reduces floor squeaks
- Interior and Exterior application
- Reduces nail pops
- Adheres to frozen, dry, and damp lumber
- Requires dispensing gun
AdvanTech Subfloor AdhesiveBest in Strength
Next up, we have a super strong subfloor adhesive by Advantech. This construction adhesive is the go-to product for thousands of DIY enthusiasts and people in construction due to its multi-purpose use and amazing performance.
Application
AdvanTech subfloor adhesive can be applied on all kinds of wood surfaces, even if they are frozen or wet. Its unique foam-to-gel formula works to eliminate floor squeaks and can be applied in temperatures within the range of 20 and 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you’re looking for a product that has coverage well above the traditional cartridge-based adhesive, then you will not be disappointed by AdvanTech’s coverage.
Performance
Its heavy-duty polyurethane bond exceeds industry performance standards and provides a strong and stable base for the subfloor, effectively eliminating squeaking in the panel to joist connection.
The bond attained with AdvanTech’s subfloor flooring is actually two to five times stronger than the ATSM standards. After applying this adhesive, you won’t have any problems regarding squeaks, pops, and bounce.
- Two to five times stronger bond
- Adheres to frozen and wet wood
- Guaranteed to treat floor squeak and nail pops
- Application range of 20-50 degree Fahrenheit
- Covers up to 400 linear feet per can
- Cannot be used as a gap filler for screwed down subfloors
Loctite PL Premium Polyurethane Construction AdhesiveBest Multi-purpose Adhesive
Moving on, we have an exceptional product from one of the most respected companies in the construction business – Loctite. Known to create a wide number of construction materials, here we have a premium polyurethane subfloor adhesive that gets the job done swiftly.
Application
Loctite subfloor adhesive can be used in any environment, be it hot or cold. Thanks to its multi-purpose capabilities, it can be used for both interior and exterior projects.
As such it can be used on a variety of surfaces such as wood, slate, masonry, stone, concrete, hardwood flooring, fiberglass, drywall – the list is endless.
Even if the lumber is frozen or wet, Loctite subfloor adhesive can be applied without any hassle. For easy cleanup, use mineral spirits.
Performance
Loctite premium subfloor adhesive delivers a bond that is 3 times stronger than ordinary adhesives. You can simply apply the adhesive and forget about the joint.
Within twenty-four hours the joint will be completely cured and will stay in place for long years – such is the superior strength of its bond.
This reduces squeaky subfloors and nails popping effectively. Loctite adhesive is completely waterproof and can be painted upon without any hassle.
- Can be applied on a variety of surfaces
- 3 times stronger bond than regular adhesives
- 24-hour cure time
- Waterproof
- Valid for interior and exterior use
- Requires caulk gun sold separately
Gorilla Heavy Duty Construction AdhesiveBest Heavy Duty Adhesive
If you’ve been in the construction industry then you must have come across the brand name Gorilla. Here we have a construction adhesive that has been tried, tested, and vouched for by professionals for years.
Application
Those who are into home improvement projects or construction would definitely be at an advantage with Gorilla subfloor adhesive.
It can be used both outdoors and indoors and bonds to virtually every surface including trim, mirrors, subfloors, bath surrounds, drywall, landscaping, and much more.
Its all-weather application ensures that you won’t be limited by the elements or the surrounding conditions.
Performance
Gorilla construction adhesive provides an exceptionally strong bond that is hard to break. Its fast grab features hold in less than 30 seconds which doesn’t let the surface move after application and stays in place.
This is because there are no solvents or water in its 100% adhesive formula. Furthermore, you can even paint with latex paint upon it within two days of application. Ensure that the nozzle is attached and filled with adhesive when storing it as it makes reuse easier.
- Multi-purpose use
- 100% adhesive formula without solvents
- Fast grab
- Super hard bond
- Eliminates subfloor squeaking
- Cannot be used for filling gaps
Titebond All-Weather Subfloor AdhesiveBest All Weather Adhesive
Last, but definitely not the least, on our list is a premium product by Titebond. What separates this subfloor adhesive from the rest is its superior all-weather application. With this product, you will never have to worry about the weather conditions and can work regardless of the elements.
Application
Titebond subfloor adhesive is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. It is especially useful for OSB, particleboard, and plywood.
The fact that it works amazingly well in cooler temperatures is its biggest selling point, especially for people who live in colder climates. As such, it can be effectively used on frozen and wet lumber and bond them together without much trouble.
Performance
As is the case with most of the products on this list, Titebond subfloor adhesive provides a bond that is much stronger than what regular adhesives able to manage.
In fact, it can even fill irregularities between materials thus providing a much more solid surface. This way all the squeaks are completely treated and there is no popping of nails whatsoever.
- Superior all-weather application
- Stronger than regular adhesives
- Can also fill irregularities and gaps
- Treats squeaks and nail pops
- Limited to a few surface applications
Best Subfloor Adhesive Buyer’s Guide/FAQs
Now that we have reviewed the five best subfloor adhesives, let us move on to frequently asked questions. Here, we will look to answer the questions that users generally ask when using subfloor adhesives.
How many tubes of adhesive do I need for the subfloor?
On a warm day, you may be able to stretch it a bit more, but on a cold day, getting that much coverage out of a single tube can be hard.
What is the cure time for subfloor adhesive?
How does subfloor adhesive eliminate squeaking?
Final Thoughts
Knowing which subfloor adhesive to get to is as important as knowing how to use one on subfloors. A quality subfloor adhesive not only solves the problem of a squeaky floor but is also improves floor rigidity.
Always look for additional features that might come in handy such as all-weather application, the strength of the bond, and even storage. Use a subfloor material calculator to know how much adhesive you may need for your project.
We hope that you now have sufficient understanding to make an informed decision. All the listed products have been tried and tested by thousands of DIY enthusiasts and people in the construction business.
Did you like our Best Subfloor Adhesive Review? Please comment! And don’t forget to check our other review!
For example that could be interesting for you – Best Insulation for Basement Ceiling.