What Glue Do Kitchen Fitters Use?

Worktop Joint Adhesive

Worktop joints — particularly for laminate worktops — are joined using a two-part polyester adhesive specifically designed for worktops (commonly known as 'Biscuit' after the colour). This sets hard, is water-resistant and fills any minor gap in the joint. Routed joints (where a curved jig is used to create a perfectly matched joint profile) use the same adhesive.

Panel and Plinth Adhesive

For fixing end panels, light pelmet and decorative elements, a solvent-based or water-based construction adhesive is used alongside mechanical fixings. Products like Gripfill, No More Nails or Stixall are common. These provide a strong bond while remaining flexible enough to accommodate minor movement.

Silicone Sealant

Silicone is used for finishing joints between the worktop and wall, around the sink (where it also provides a waterproof seal) and in any other junction where flexibility and waterproofing are needed. Kitchen-grade silicone is anti-fungal to resist mould in humid conditions.

Adhesive Quick Reference

Why the Adhesive Choice Affects Longevity

Using a general-purpose silicone rather than a kitchen-specific anti-fungal grade around a sink is a common shortcut that leads to mould growth in the joint within a year or two, particularly in less ventilated kitchens — insisting on the correct kitchen-grade product is a small detail that materially affects how the finish looks over time.

Can Adhesive Fully Replace Mechanical Fixings?

No — even where adhesive is used for panels and trims, mechanical fixings (screws) are still used wherever a component needs to bear load or be removable for future maintenance. Adhesive alone is never used for structural connections in kitchen fitting.