How to Choose a Dollhouse Glue

There's no shortage of dollhouse building supplies you'll want on hand when you start assembling your wooden dollhouse kit or room box. 

One of the most important dollhouse materials you'll want within arm's reach is dollhouse glue. You've probably noticed there's a lot of dollhouse glues to choose from--and may have wondered which one is best for each stage or material used in your project. Get some clarity by reading on.

How to Choose a Dollhouse Glue

• For wood: You'll definitely want a high-quality wood glue like Aliphatic Resin Wood Glue when it comes time to assemble the main wooden parts of your dollhouse kit. This is especially true if you're working with 3/8" thick wood. While wood glue is best, less expensive tacky glue can do the job for thinner plywood die-cut dollhouse kits.
• For clapboard siding, trims, molding, baseboards, and shingles: Quick Grab glue is a great choice because of its strong adhesion, generous drying time, and its ability to dry clear. Tacky glue can work for shingles, too--you just need to be extra careful laying them straight.
• For wallpaper: Definitely invest in a tried-and-true favorite like Grandmother Stover's Glue. It goes on transparent and will not curl, wrinkle or discolor wallpaper.
• For small spaces: A Pin Point Syringe will let you get water-based glues into every nook and cranny of your wood dollhouse.
• For plastics: A specialty glue formulated for bonding plastic like Roket Plastic Glue is best.
• For multipurposes: Grandmother Stover's Glue has been around since 1948 and can be used to adhere carpet, wallpaper, ceiling paper, and flooring.
• For brick, stone, plaster, and stucco projects: A little water mixed with Dollhouse Mortar Mix is a sure bet.
• For quick assembly projects: When you need things to dry fast, try Roket Hot Adhesive Glue--it dries in just five seconds.
• For filling gaps: The dreaded glue gap is no match for Roket Powder, which flows like liquid to take the exact shape of a gap. Perfect Plastic Putty is another good choice for briding gaps.
• For dioramas: Lay the groundwork with ease by using Create and Shape Modeling Material.
• For keeping your dollhouse miniatures in place: Safeguard your favorite dollhouse miniatures from falls with Museum Gel and Museum Putty.

Dollhouse Glue Tips

• Just say no to hot glue guns. They don't form a strong bond and they leave gaps. Any dollhouse kit making pro will tell you to avoid them like the plague! 
• Hold the pieces together while they dry. You can use anything from Scotch tape to cloth pins to rubber bands to hold everything together while it dries.
• Keep paper towels on hand. You'll need them to clean up excess glue.
• Use water-free glue when adhering shingles. Any glue with water in it can curl the wood shingles. 
• Dry fit each component first. Doing this lets you know if any part needs to be sanded down before gluing takes place.

Do you have any tips for choosing a dollhouse glue and gluing together a wooden dollhouse kit? If so, share them in the comments below!