7 Best Glues For Foam Board You Must Buy In 2024

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.

In This Article

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.

Product Dimensions: ‎1 x 1 x 1 inches | Item Weight: ‎1.6 ounces | Color: ‎Standard Stick | Compatible Material: ‎Cardboard, Paper | Material: ‎Plastic

Pros

  • Non-toxic
  • Super smooth
  • Photo-safe formula
  • Acid-free
  • Rapid setting time

Cons

  • Small in size

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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."


protip_icon Did You Know?
The earliest known instance of using natural glue comes from the Iron Age in Old Italy when birch bark tar was used to bind stones together (1).

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The 4,049 reviews on Amazon indicate that this product has a loyal following.

2. Best Durable: Aleene’s Quick Dry Tacky Glue

4.6

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.

Color: Multi | Compatible Material: Craft | Product Dimensions: 5.07 x 1.69 x 5.81 inches | Weight: 15.84 Ounces.

Pros

  • Can be used on multiple materials
  • Durable
  • Easy to clean
  • Super strong
  • Non-toxic
  • Odorless

Cons

  • May not dry clearly

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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."


Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The 3,558 positive customer reviews on Amazon are a testament to its quality and reliability.

3. Best Foam-Friendly:Bob Smith Industries Foam & Cure Craft Glue

4.6
Bob Smith Industries Foam & Cure Craft Glue Image: Bob Smith Industries

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.

Item Weight: 5 ounces | Product Dimensions: 1.57 x 1.57 x 3.94 inches | Color: Clear | Compatible Material: Wood, Plastic | Material: Epp

Pros

  • Fast tacking
  • Clear finish
  • Foam friendly
  • Strong bond
  • Good consistency

Cons

  • May take time to stick

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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."


protip_icon Point to consider
You can use this foam glue to stick foam to other materials, such as wood and plastic.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

Over 496 customers on Amazon have opined that this is one of the best products in its category.

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.

Color: Light Blue | Compatible Material: Drywall, Wood, Metal Studs, Concrete, Block Walls, Frp | Material: Acrylic Latex | Product Dimensions: ‎16.25 x 2 x 2 inches | Item Weight: ‎0.96 ounces

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

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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."


protip_icon Quick fact
Natural rubber adhesives helped inventors to create a critical mixture that led to one of the most significant inventions of modern times–the car tire.

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.

Item Weight: 2.39 ounces | Product Dimensions: 7.87 x 3.54 x 0.79 inches | Color: Clear | Compatible Material: Wood, Fabric | Material: Foam

Pros

  • Washable
  • Toxic-free
  • Bonds most materials
  • Quick-drying

Cons

  • May take time to stick firmly

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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.

Product Dimensions: ‎7.5 x 4.5 x 2.5 inches | Item Weight: ‎4.9 ounces | Color: ‎Blue | Compatible Material: ‎Cardboard, Paper | Material: ‎Paper

Pros

  • Easy to wash
  • Solvent-free
  • Easy to use
  • Acid-free
  • Non-toxic

Cons

  • May have a wet consistency

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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.

Item Weight: 1.76 ounces | Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.33 x 0.79 inches | Color: Clear | Compatible Material: Foam, Wood, Carbon | Material: Adhesive

Pros

  • Residue-free
  • Strong formula
  • Multipurpose use
  • Dries clearly
  • Even coverage

Cons

  • One time use only

Our Reviewer's Experience

"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."


*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

How To Choose The Right Glue For Foam Board?

Here are a few suggestions to let you choose the right glue for foam board.

  1. Fast drying: Look for high-quality glues that do not take too much time to dry.
  1. Safety: Ensure the glue is non-toxic and easy to clean.
  1. 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.

Tips To Stick Styrofoam With Success

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version


References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. 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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