Wood glue: suitable for flat works on wood and glass
Wood glue is water-soluble, dries transparent and is easy to work with. This makes it a reliable choice for most flat mosaic projects. Any glue residue that gets onto the tiles before drying can easily be removed with a damp cloth or some water.
Wood glue is the right choice for flat bases, including:
- Wooden panels and MDF craft blanks
- Trays, frames and decorative objects made of wood
- Glass mosaic tiles on glass — the thin, clear layer of glue allows the light to play beautifully through the material
View our wood glue in the shop.
Silicone adhesive: the choice for 3D works and curved shapes
Silicone adhesive is flexible, strong and adheres to many different bases. This makes it the preferred choice for projects where wood glue does not offer enough grip or freedom of movement.
Use silicone adhesive for 3D works and curved shapes — such as flower pots, vases and sculptures. The flexibility of silicone ensures that the adhesive moves with the shape of the object and does not crack or peel off with minor tension differences. Silicone adhesive is also a good choice for glass-on-glass projects where you need extra strength or resilience.
View our silicone adhesive in the shop.
The grout joint: how much space do you leave between mosaic tiles?
The distance you leave between the tiles not only determines what the mosaic looks like — it also has a direct influence on how well the grouting goes afterwards. It is a detail that makes the difference between a calm, clean result and a work that looks messy.
Why is the spacing important? The tiles are held in place by the glue — that is the basis. The grout joint then serves another purpose: it gives the work visual rhythm and provides space for the grout to fill the joints neatly and finish the surface. If there is too little space, the grout cannot fill the joint properly and may not hold as well.
The general guideline: 1 to 2 mm. For most mosaic works — on wood, glass or ceramic bases — a spacing of 1 to 2 mm is the most balanced choice. This size is large enough for proper grouting and to allow the grout to adhere well, but narrow enough for the mosaic to look like a single whole. For smaller tiles, such as 1×1 cm tiles, a 1 mm joint fits the scale of the work well. For slightly larger tiles, from 2×2 cm, you can use 2 mm.
When is a wider grout joint useful? There are situations where you consciously choose a slightly wider joint of 2 to 3 mm. Works with irregularly shaped tiles — such as broken tiles or natural stone — naturally have variation in the joints, and a slightly wider spacing makes this visually more acceptable. A wide grout joint also fits better than a narrow, tight line for works with a coarse, expressive style.
What happens if tiles are too close together? If the tiles leave virtually no space between them, the grout cannot fill the joint properly and can come loose more quickly. Moreover, tightly packed tiles look restless: small irregularities in placement are immediately noticeable because there is no grout joint to soften the transition.
Consistency is more important than size. Whether you use 1 mm or 2 mm: the most important thing is that the spaces are even. Varying joints create a restless image and make grouting more difficult, because the grout has more space in some places than in others. While gluing, regularly take a step back to check if the tiles are placed evenly. This extra attention pays off in a calmer end result and a smoother grouting process.
Summary
| Wood Glue | Silicone Adhesive | |
|---|---|---|
| Suitable for | Flat works, wood, MDF, glass on glass | 3D works, curved shapes, flower pots, vases |
| Flexible | No | Yes |
| Removable with water | Yes (before drying) | No |
| Drying time | Short | Longer |
| Situation | Recommended spacing |
|---|---|
| Small tiles (1×1 cm), tight work | ± 1 mm |
| Medium tiles (2×2 cm), standard work | 1–2 mm |
| Irregular pieces, expressive style | 2–3 mm |
