To glue tile to wood, you will need specific products and items, such as mastic glue and a wood filler. 

Wood is a natural element, which means that it can either expand or shrink over time under the influence of temperature changes and humidity. The tile does not do this. 

So you need to make sure that you use the right products and implement the correct method to ensure that you can glue tile to wood in a way that will look good and be set in place over time. 

To glue tile to wood, you will need the following products and tools:

1. Mastic glue 
2. Wood filler 
3. Tile cutter 
4. Tape measure 
5. Chalk line tool
6. V-notched trowel
7. Tile spacers
8. Pencil 
9. Leveling tool 
10. Rubber mallet
11. Tile cutter (potentially)
12. Grout 
13. Rubber float
14. Sponge 

If you are working inside, make sure to use a protective face mask or improve air ventilation in the room. 

Before we continue, it may seem that there are a lot of steps to take, but as you will see, each step is pretty simple. 

You are set and good to go if you have the necessary products and tools. 

Follow this guide to know what you need to do and how to do it at each step. You will discover what products and tools to use and how to use them in detail. 

You should also check out my guide on how to glue bottle caps to wood for more info.

Step One: Smooth and even out the wood surface

As mentioned above, wood is a natural element. 

Both humidity and changes in temperature can cause the wood to change. It can shrink or expand. This process can cause holes, cracks, and gaps to develop. Some of these can be very significant. 

If you don’t address these, gluing tiles to wood will become quite difficult and, in many cases, ineffective. 

So how do you fix this situation?

Even out of the wooden surface, I was using a wood filler. 

1. Add the wood filler into each gap, hole, or crack there is
2. Make sure it is filled in
3. Wait for the wood filler to fully dry 

This will help create harmony, tackling any differences in length between the tile and the ash. 

Step Two: Measure and mark

Use a measuring tape and pencil to mark the center of your installation area is small. Then, draw one vertical and one horizontal line across the center of the installation area. 

If your installation area is big, use a chalk line tool to mark these lines easily. 

If you implement a mosaic design, you can draw or trace the design using a pencil directly on the wood. 

Step Three: Apply the mastic glue

Now it is time to apply the wood and spread it across smaller sections of your installation area. 

You can find different types of mastic glue. For the best and most effective installation and long-term hold, use a water-resistant mastic adhesive, especially if the installation area contains high humidity. 

Mastic adhesive is ideal for indoor tiling but not so much for outdoor tiling. 

Especially if your installation area is bigger, don’t apply the glue to the whole surface, as most of it will partially or fully dry before you attach the tile, preventing it from sticking to it the way it needs to. 

If you use a grid pattern, start at the center of your installation area and work outward from there. You have the lines drawn or marked, so start where the vertical and horizontal lines intersect. 

Here is what you need to do: 

1. Apply the glue 
2. Add as much glue, so once you spread it, it is the same thickness as the tile.
3. Spread it over a 2-3 square-foot section of your installation area

You can use a notched trowel to spread the mastic adhesive. 

To create furrows in the glue after you have spread, you can achieve this by raking the glue using the notched edge of the trowel. 

Step Four: Remove excess mastic glue

As you apply and spread the mastic glue over the smaller section of your installation area, you may end up with spots of excess adhesive that spreads beyond your installation section. 

Clean up any excess glue before it dries to the wood. 

If you can’t get to it before the adhesive dries, you can use a mastic remover to deal with the excess glue. 

Step Five: Leave the mastic adhesive to tack

The mastic adhesive will have the manufacturer’s instructions informing you how long it will take to tack. 

Depending on the brand, this may differ. 

Step Six: Start setting the tiles based on your design

Work one tile at a time. 

Use spacers between each tile as you install them. This will help you maintain even joints between your tiles. 

So let’s start. 

1. Set the tiles into the mastic adhesive 
2. Gently press them into the glue 
3. After setting 3-5 tiles (or a 1-square foot mosaic), verify that the tiles have an even surface using a leveling tool.
4. If there is any unevenness, use a rubber mallet to tap down the tiles until the surface becomes even gently.
5. Once this installation area has even tiles, continue setting more tiles until your installation area is completed.

If some tiles don’t fit around the edges of your installation area, measure the space that needs to be filled and cut the tiles accordingly using a tile cutter. 

Step Seven: Leave the mastic adhesive to cure fully

The mastic adhesive will dry faster, but its curing time will take longer. 

Curing usually takes 24 hours to complete. 

Once you have set your tiles across your installation area, wait 24 hours for the mastic adhesive to cure. 

Step Eight: Prepare the grout powder.

The grout will help fill in any holes or empty spaces within your design. 

1. Mix the grout powder with enough water to get a consistent paste similar to that of peanut butter
2. Use a rubber float to grab enough grout to press into the joints to fill any gaps.
3. Place the rubber float at a 45-degree angle and firmly slide it across the joint.
4. If there is excess grout, use a clean sponge to remove it from the tile’s surface.
5. After each use, clean the sponge to prevent spreading the grout

Remove the excess grout while still wet in a paste form.

After removing the excess grout from the tiles, if any grout residue is left on the tile, use a clean wet sponge or rag to wipe them clean before the grout dries onto the tile. 

Step Nine: Let the grout cure

Just as with the adhesive, grout dries faster than it cures. 

Once you have filled in all gaps with the grout, let it cure for 24 hours.

Conclusion

With the right steps, products, and tools, gluing tile to your wood isn’t that complicated. 

Make sure you have the following tools and materials before you start on your project: 

• Mastic glue 
• Wood filler 
• Tile cutter 
• Tape measure 
• Chalk line tool
• V-notched trowel
• Tile spacers
• Pencil 
• Leveling tool 
• Rubber mallet
• Tile cutter (potentially)
• Grout 
• Rubber float
• Sponge 

Both mastic adhesive and grout can release significant amounts of particles that aren’t as safe to breathe in, especially in large quantities. 

Work in a well-ventilated area where airflow is good to protect yourself and your health. To help with this, leave the windows open. You can also add a fan to circulate the air in the installation room. 

Just be aware that using a fan could speed up the drying time for the mastic adhesive and grout.