Subfloor adhesives, for example, glue sheathing panels to floor joists and to each other, which stiffens floors and reduces nail pops, squeaks, air infiltration, sound transmission and dependence on mechanical fasteners. These adhesives meet the Engineered Wood Association's AFG01 performance specification. Drywall adhesives, on the other hand, can produce a weaker bond than subfloor adhesives, and they typically cost less. Performance specifications are listed on containers. Strength isn't the only issue.
Some construction adhesives are incompatible with certain materials.
They can be used indoors or outdoors, and they'll glue just about anything, including subfloors, foam, fiberglass and metal. But not even polyurethane adhesives necessarily outperform project-specific adhesives. Panel adhesives, for example, have a high-tack formula that grabs paneling instantly to limit the need for fasteners. And panel adhesive costs less. Containers don't just list what a particular construction adhesive can and can't do.