Have you ever looked for the right glue or adhesive to use on a DIY job and been baffled by the range of products? Here’s a simple breakdown of what to use for a few basic jobs around the home.

Traditionally, the word glue was used to refer to bonding agents derived from natural products, while adhesives were those with synthetic bases. But today, most glues and adhesives are synthetic-based, so the terms are interchangeable.

When purchasing an adhesive, it’s best to consider the two surfaces that need to be attached, then select one that bonds with both.

The main types of adhesives include epoxies, superglues, contact adhesives, polyvinyl acetates (PVA), polyurethanes, construction adhesives and specialty adhesives.