I'm working on making shrouding boards for natural burials. They're going to be about 7 feet long and 2 feet wide, held together with glue. I need something that will form a strong bond capable of supporting around 200 lbs to transport a body, but it also has to break down naturally later without leaking toxic substances into the ground.
I've heard hide glue is completely natural but might not withstand high humidity well. I live in a humid area, and I want to know if hide glue is reliable for this purpose, or if I need to consider other options. If I store the boards in a non-AC space for a year, will the glue bond hold?
Also, I'm exploring TiteBond II and III, which are PVA glues. They're biodegradable when exposed to soil microbes, but I'm curious if TiteBond II, which is water-resistant, is better for decomposition compared to the more waterproof TiteBond III. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
Hide glue definitely works for your project! Just grab the flakes and prepare it fresh since the premade stuff can have extra additives you might want to avoid. For TiteBond options, go with the Original; it has a good open time for your needs, and the II and III types will take longer to break down once buried.
I think hide glue is perfect for this. It has been used for a long time before climate control was a thing, so it can handle ambient moisture just fine. If you’re still worried, consider using some extra joinery methods like breadboards or battens for added strength. Just a little backup plan!
Regarding your concerns about hide glue and heat: it does have a melting point around 140F, so if your boards are in a very hot place for a long time, it might lose its bond. I've seen old furniture where the glue melted and only the joinery held it together. Just keep that in mind if your storage conditions can get really hot. Plus, remember there's casein glue from milk, which is biodegradable and has some water resistance but requires mixing before use. Might be worth exploring!