Weldbond Best Mosaic Adhesive

Weldbond is a polyvinyl acetate (PVA) adhesive, and there are other brands of PVAs on the market.

Why is Weldbond preferred by many mosaic artists, and why does Mosaic Art Supply’s online information refer to Weldbond as “the best” mosaic adhesive?

Weldbond is thick, and the extra viscosity can be invaluable for taking the frustration out of doing detailed mosaic work. It’s nearly impossible to avoid bumping tiles as you work, and the thicker the glue, the less they move.

Strength and Durability

Like most any water-based adhesive, Weldbond ruins if it freezes before use, but the following explains why we recommend Weldbond based on its strength in cold weather.

weldbond adhesive 160ml
Weldbond Adhesive 160ml (5.4oz) the best mosaic glue made.

Artist Joe Moorman decided to carry Weldbond when he started Mosaic Art Supply in 2002. It was the thickest, strongest PVA adhesive he had ever used, and he had learned from other artists that Weldbond had been certified for use in space by NASA, where adhesives need to withstand cold temperatures.

Joe paid for his engineering degree by working a sequence of internships for a major aerospace company. One of the internships was in materials testing lab, where Joe observed how effective cold temperatures were for destroying things, including sophisticated high-performance aerospace adhesives.

Joe figured that since Weldbond was made in Canada, the people making and testing it probably had more first-hand experience with glues becoming brittle and cracking in low temperatures. Also, the certification by NASA for use in space had to mean that Weldbond had been well tested by a third party, possibly several parties.

Joe recommends Weldbond now more than ever because he has been able to see how well his own mosaics have lasted, even the unfinished and abandoned pieces that have been stored in outside garages for years.

In early 2011, Joe attempted to recycle an unfinished, ungrouted mosaic made on a 2 ft x 4 ft plywood panel back in 2005. The mosaic was soaked in water and detergent for a month or two, but most of the materials (glass, ceramic and stone) had to be pryed of with a screwdriver, and even the small pieces usually broke instead of coming free from the Weldbond.

Mosaic Art Supply sells Weldbond in convenient 160 ml and 420 ml bottles for studio work and 3 litre jugs for more economical refills.

Weldbond securely bonds to wood, glass, fabric, linoleum, styrofoam, concrete and other art materials. It is water-based, non-toxic, dries clear and is very water-resistant when fully cured.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 160ml (5.4 oz)

weldbond adhesive 160ml

The 160ml (5.4 oz) bottle of Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive is the convenience size of the product and is ideal for people looking for a small application bottle to minimize strain on their wrists. It covers up to 19 square feet depending on surface roughness.

Weldbond is an extremely versatile glue that can be used to securely bond a wide range of art materials including glass, natural-fiber fabrics and wood. Weldbond is strong, even at low temperatures, but LIQUID Weldbond will ruin if allowed to freeze. DO NOT ORDER DURING HARD FREEZES OR STORE OUTDOORS. Dries clear.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 160ml (5.4 oz)

Weldbond is an amazing product:

  • clear drying.
  • strong bonding.
  • non-toxic.
  • non-flammable
  • no volatile fumes. less than 1% VOCs by weight.
  • water-resistant once fully cured.
  • easy clean-up with soap and water.
  • can be added to grouts to improve strength and fracture toughness.

Product Specifications

Read the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions here.

Weldbond Glue is a white PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) adhesive that dries clear. It does not contain formaldehyde, latex, phthalates, aromatic solvents or halogenated solvents (as do many adhesives). It is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D4236.

Product Coverage

The 160ml (5.4 oz) bottle of Welbond covers about 9 square feet IN THEORY. Actual coverage is about 20% less than that for most users doing detailed work, but messy users or coarsely porous substrates could require significantly more glue. The coverage is greatly affected by how neatly you work, how dry your working conditions are, etc. For example, if the heat is running at the height of winter, then water-based glues can skin over rapidly, and you tend to waste a little bit as it dries on your fingertips and tools.

Use In Mosaic Art

We use Weldbond Glue for presealing wooden surfaces before mosaic work, and we will sometimes dilute it with as much as 1 part water to 2 parts glue. For attaching the tiles in detailed mosaic work, the thicker material provided by straight Weldbond is better.

Why Not Use Other Brands?

There are other brands of white PVA adhesives on the market. The reason that Weldbond is strongly preferred by many mosaic artists is simple:

  • Detailed mosaic work requires that small tiles be positioned carefully.
  • This is often difficult to do this without bumping other small tiles already in place.
  • The thicker the glue, the less the tiles move when bumped.

In other words, Weldbond is “best” because it can take a lot of the frustration out of the work. There are also several other reasons why we think Weldbond might be more durable in adverse conditions.

Limitations

Dry Indoor Use

Weldbond is water-resistant when fully cured, but it does soften when soaked in water over time, so use good judgment. Mosaics in wet locations such as pools and fountains and patios should be made with thinset bonding mortar (a type of sticky concrete) instead of adhesive.

Other Limitations

Weldbond does not bond to some types of plastic, rubber and cast metals. Avoid using on polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl and PVC. Do not use Weldbond on containers that may hold hot liquids.

How To Make Mosaic Art

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 420ml (14.2oz)

The 420ml (14.2 oz) bottle of Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive is our preferred size for mosaic work, yet not so small that it has to be refilled too often. It covers covers up to 50 square feet depending on surface roughness and working habits.

Weldbond Adhesive is an extremely versatile glue that can be used to securely bond a wide range of art materials including glass, natural-fiber fabrics and wood. Weldbond is strong, even at low temperatures, but LIQUID Weldbond will ruin if allowed to freeze. DO NOT ORDER DURING HARD FREEZES OR STORE OUTDOORS. Dries clear.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 420ml (14.2oz)

Weldbond is an amazing product:

  • clear drying
  • strong bonding
  • non-toxic.
  • non-flammable
  • no volatile fumes. less than 1% VOCs by weight.
  • water-resistant once fully cured
  • easy clean-up with soap and water
  • can be added to grouts to improve strength and fracture toughness

Product Specifications

Read the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions here.

Weldbond is a white PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) adhesive that dries clear. It does not contain formaldehyde, latex, phthalates, aromatic solvents or halogenated solvents (as do many adhesives). It is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D4236.

Product Coverage

The 420ml (14.2 oz) bottle of Welbond covers about 15 square feet IN THEORY. Actual coverage is about 20% less than that for most users doing detailed work, but messy users or coarsely porous substrates could require significantly more glue. The coverage is greatly affected by how neatly you work, how dry your working conditions are, etc. For example, if the heat is running at the height of winter, then water-based glues can skin over rapidly, and you tend to waste a little bit as it dries on your fingertips and tools.

Use In Mosaic Art

We use Weldbond for presealing wooden surfaces before mosaic work, and we will sometimes dilute it with as much as 1 part water to 2 parts glue. For attaching the tiles in detailed mosaic work, the thicker material provided by straight Weldbond is better.

Why Not Use Other Brands?

There are other brands of white PVA adhesives on the market. The reason that Weldbond is strongly preferred by many mosaic artists is simple:

  • Detailed mosaic work requires that small tiles be positioned carefully.
  • This is often difficult to do this without bumping other small tiles already in place.
  • The thicker the glue, the less the tiles move when bumped.

In other words, Weldbond is “best” because it can take a lot of the frustration out of the work. There are also several other reasons why we think Weldbond might be more durable in adverse conditions.

Limitations

Dry Indoor Use

Weldbond is water-resistant when fully cured, but it does soften when soaked in water over time, so use good judgment. Mosaics in wet locations such as pools and fountains and patios should be made with thinset bonding mortar (a type of sticky concrete) instead of adhesive.

Other Limitations

Weldbond does not bond to some types of plastic, rubber and cast metals. Avoid using on polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl and PVC. Do not use Weldbond on containers that may hold hot liquids.

How To Make Mosaic Art

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 3 Liter

weldbond adhesive 3 liter

The 3-Liter (0.79 gallon) jug of Weldbond Mosaic Adhesive is an economical way to refill your small working bottles and save money. Instead of buying small bottles for each person in your class or work group, pour a little bit from the jug into Styrofoam plates and have your artists dip tile in the plates. Use a second plate inverted to cover the glue and maximize working time. Note that the gallon jug and half-gallon jugs have been discontinued by the manufacturer.

Weldbond Adhesive is an extremely versatile glue that can be used to securely bond a wide range of art materials including glass, natural-fiber fabrics and wood. Weldbond is strong, even at low temperatures, but LIQUID Weldbond will ruin if allowed to freeze. DO NOT ORDER DURING HARD FREEZES OR STORE OUTDOORS.

Weldbond Glue Mosaic Adhesive 3 Liter

Weldbond is an amazing product:

  • clear drying
  • strong bonding
  • non-toxic.
  • non-flammable
  • no volatile fumes. less than 1% VOCs by weight.
  • water-resistant once fully cured
  • easy clean-up with soap and water
  • can be added to grouts to improve strength and fracture toughness

Product Specifications

Read the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions here.

Weldbond Glue is a white PVA (Poly Vinyl Acetate) adhesive that dries clear. It does not contain formaldehyde, latex, phthalates, aromatic solvents or halogenated solvents (as do many adhesives). It is non-toxic and conforms to ASTM D4236.

Product Coverage

The 3L (0.79 gallon) jug of Weldbond covers an average area of 200 square feet. Actual coverage is about 20% less than that for most users doing detailed work, but messy users or coarsely porous substrates could require significantly more glue. The coverage is greatly affected by how neatly you work, how dry your working conditions are, etc. For example, if the heat is running at the height of winter, then water-based glues can skin over rapidly, and you tend to waste a little bit as it dries on your fingertips and tools.

Use In Mosaic Art

We use Weldbond Glue for presealing wooden surfaces before mosaic work, and we will sometimes dilute it with as much as 1 part water to 2 parts glue. For attaching the tiles in detailed mosaic work, the thicker material provided by straight Weldbond is better.

Why Not Use Other Brands?

There are other brands of white PVA adhesives on the market. The reason that Weldbond is strongly preferred by many mosaic artists is simple:

  • Detailed mosaic work requires that small tiles be positioned carefully.
  • This is often difficult to do this without bumping other small tiles already in place.
  • The thicker the glue, the less the tiles move when bumped.

In other words, Weldbond is “best” because it can take a lot of the frustration out of the work. There are also several other reasons why we think Weldbond might be more durable in adverse conditions.

Limitations

Dry Indoor Use

Weldbond is water-resistant when fully cured, but it does soften when soaked in water over time, so use good judgment. Mosaics in wet locations such as pools and fountains and patios should be made with thinset mortar (a type of sticky concrete) instead of adhesive.

Other Limitations

Weldbond does not bond to some types of plastic, rubber and cast metals. Avoid using on polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl and PVC. Do not use Weldbond on containers that may hold hot liquids.

How To Make Mosaic Art

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.

In A Mood – Muted Tones – 3/4-Inch Glass Mosaic Tile Mix 1-lb

In A Mood is a pastel glass tile assortment with grays, tans, blues, teals, greens, and some pinks. This mix includes a combination of Morjo Vitreous and low-grain Lojee-Nojee tile, which adds textural variety and makes it a great way to sample both brands. These tiles are hard and durable enough for outdoor installation, yet they can quickly be cut into halves, quarters and triangles with little force using a pair of mosaic glass cutters. The grooved side bonds adhesive more securely and also makes for easier cutting. To plan your design, use a mounting grid.

In A Mood Glass Mosaic Tile Assortment 3/4-Inch

  • Price is per 1 pound (roughly 145+ tiles).
  • Tile dimensions: 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch (20mm x 20mm).
  • Tile thickness: 4mm (1/8 inch nominal).
  • Material: glass
  • Coverage: each pound covers 0.69 square feet.
  • Coverage: 218 loose tiles cover 1 sq ft. with grout spacing of 1/16 inch.
  • Frost-proof, impervious to liquid.
  • Suitable for indoor/outdoor use.

Product Coverage

Each pound covers 0.69 square feet assuming a standard grout spacing of 1/16 inch. Coverage for 1 square foot requires 218 tiles. Note that cutting tiles generates some scrap, so you may want to budget 5% extra.

Compatibility

Because the 3/4 inch size (20mm) and 1/8 inch nominal thickness (4mm) is industry standard, you can combine these tiles with a wide variety of brands.

Cutting Glass Tile

We recommend the Mosaic Glass Cutter for cutting all types of glass mosaic tile including these. Note, however, that there is a limit to how small they can be cut. Due to their tapered edges, small pieces will tend to tip over. We advise cutting halves and quarters and diagonal triangles, and not much smaller than that. For creating outlines and other details, check out our Rectangle Border Tiles or our Outliners Mosaic Sticks.

Mounting Tile

Weldbond adhesive works well for mounting dry indoor mosaics. However, to permanently set outdoor and wet mosaics, use thinset mortar.

Use in Mosaic Art

The affordability, ease of use and durability of these tiles makes them suitable for outdoor projects such as garden décor. The pigment quality also lends itself equally well to photorealistic mosaic images and fine art.

How To Make Mosaics

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or cutting and grouting tile, please see our Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also visit our How To Mosaic blog or our Mosaic Information Guide.

San Diego Assortment 3/4-Inch Glass Mosaic Tile Mix 1-lb

20mm San Diego AssortmentOur San Diego Glass Mosaic Tile Mix is a desert city-themed glass tile assortment with most color families represented, but a heavier balance of tans, browns, grays, and greens. This mix includes a combination of Morjo Vitreous and low-grain Lojee-Nojee tile, which adds textural variety and a great way to sample both brands. There are also some tan iridescent tiles scattered throughout. These tiles are hard and durable enough for outdoor installation, yet they can quickly be cut into halves, quarters and triangles with little force using a pair of mosaic glass cutters. The grooved side bonds adhesive more securely and also makes for easier cutting. To plan your design, use a mounting grid.

San Diego Glass Mosaic Tile Assortment 3/4-Inch

  • Price is per 1 pound (roughly 145+ tiles).
  • Tile dimensions: 3/4 inch x 3/4 inch (20mm x 20mm).
  • Tile thickness: 4mm (1/8 inch nominal).
  • Material: glass
  • Coverage: each pound covers 0.69 square feet.
  • Coverage: 218 loose tiles cover 1 sq ft. with grout spacing of 1/16 inch.
  • Frost-proof, impervious to liquid.
  • Suitable for indoor/outdoor use.

Product Coverage

Each pound covers 0.69 square feet assuming a standard grout spacing of 1/16 inch. Coverage for 1 square foot requires 218 tiles. Note that cutting tiles generates some scrap, so you may want to budget 5% extra.

Compatibility

Because the 3/4 inch size (20mm) and 1/8 inch nominal thickness (4mm) is industry standard, you can combine these tiles with a wide variety of brands.

Cutting Glass Tile

We recommend the Mosaic Glass Cutter for cutting all types of glass mosaic tile including these. Note, however, that there is a limit to how small they can be cut. Due to their tapered edges, small pieces will tend to tip over. We advise cutting halves and quarters and diagonal triangles, and not much smaller than that. For creating outlines and other details, check out our Rectangle Border Tiles or our Outliners Mosaic Sticks.

Mounting Tile

Weldbond adhesive works well for mounting dry indoor mosaics. However, to permanently set outdoor and wet mosaics, use thinset mortar.

Use in Mosaic Art

The affordability, ease of use and durability of these tiles makes them suitable for outdoor projects such as garden décor. The pigment quality also lends itself equally well to photorealistic mosaic images and fine art.

How To Make Mosaics

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or cutting and grouting tile, please see our Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions page. You can also visit our How To Mosaic blog or our Mosaic Information Guide.

Mini Halloween Glass Mosaic Tile Assortment 10MV Half-Pound (8oz)

The Halloween Tile Mini Mix is a half-pound mix of 3/8-inch vitreous glass tile in black, orange, white, and yellow. This curated assortment contains color numbers 1, 49, 91, and 95 of our Morjo Vitreous minis.

These tiles are vitreous glass, but the colors chosen have a solid pigment density. As a result, these tiles have great clarity and opacity. The grooved side bonds adhesive more securely and also makes for easier cutting. Competitively priced yet suitable for fine art, they are also UV resistant and factory certified for commercial exteriors, swimming pools, backsplashes, showers, murals, as well as art-&-craft projects like mosaic stepping stones. For an organized design you can set aside and rework, use a mounting grid.

Mini Halloween Glass Mosaic Tile Assortment 10MV 8oz

  • tile size: 3/8 inch (10mm)
  • thickness: 1/8 nominal (4mm)
  • sales unit: 1/2 pound (~approximately 325 pieces)
  • material: vitreous glass
  • pigments: colorfast, UV resistant
  • durability: frost-proof, impervious to liquid
  • usage: suitable for indoor and outdoor use

Coverage

Each half-pound bag will cover approximately .45 square feet assuming a standard grout gap of approximately 1/32 inch. Most Mosaic Mounting Paper is 1.15 square feet and requires 841 tiles (29 tiles x 29 tiles). Use our tile estimator to calculate how much you need for your project.

Compatibility

Tile thickness is 1/8 inch nominal, the same as most of the glass mosaic tile we sell, which means that these can mix and match with other types and brands.

Cutting Glass Tile

We recommend the Mosaic Glass Cutter for cutting all types of glass mosaic tile including these. Note, however, that there is a limit to how small they can be cut. Due to their tapered edges, small pieces will tend to tip over. We advise cutting halves, quarters, and diagonal triangles, and not much smaller than that. For creating outlines and other details, check out our Rectangle Border Tiles or our Outliners Mosaic Sticks.

Mounting Tiles

Weldbond adhesive works well for mounting dry indoor mosaics. However, for outdoor and wet mosaics, use thinset mortar.

How To Make Mosaics

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.

USA + Canada Returns Policy

You must e-mail us to begin the return process.

We can only accept returns on unused products in their original packaging in the complete original quantity, and on unused tools.
We cannot accept returns of Weldbond glue from customers in northern locales during the winter as it may freeze during transit.

We do not pay for return shipping, and cannot refund the original shipping because our products tend to be heavy and expensive to ship. Please e-mail us before ordering if you have any questions about the products, for help with determining tile colours, or questions about how much tile you need for your product. E-mailing in advance can prevent future headaches.

We do not charge a re-stocking fee on returned products.

Please mail your return to us within 48 hours of us giving you return authorization, and please include your order number written on piece of paper inside the box. Including the original invoice also works if you have it available.

Mosaic Starter Kit with Compound Nipper (6 Item Kit)

Compound Mosaic Starter Kit No Grout

Our Mosaic Starter Kit with Compound Nipper is the same as our regular Mosaic Starter Kit, but it includes the Compound Tile Nipper for hard porcelain and stone instead of the regular Mosaic Tile Nipper. The Compound Tile Nipper has a force multiplier which allows you to cut hard ceramics and stone with much less effort. The kit includes these professional grade tools: compound tile nipper, mosaic glass cutter, safety glasses, Weldbond glue, and two 1-pound bags of vitreous glass mosaic tiles. It does NOT include grout.

Although the kit was designed with beginners in mind, it includes the same tools and materials used by full-time mosaic artists and professional architectural installers. Notice that we didn’t include ordinary household items like plastic trays for mixing like most craft kits do. Our kit is made of only essential items like tile, glue, and hand tools. Also note that we didn’t include small sample-sized amounts. The mosaic tile grout and glue in this kit are the standard size we sell, and the tools are the same as those used by professionals when installing murals. The kit was designed by our resident mosaic artist and are packed right in our shop. Don’t expect a lot of shrink-wrapping and labels and custom packaging -just value!

Compound Nipper Mosaic Art Starter Kit Components

Our Compound Nipper Mosaic Art Starter Kit includes:

Why No Grout In Kit?

Shipping cement products is not good value for your money. Buy grout at a local building material or hardware store. We use traditional sanded portland-cement grouts such as made by Mapei and Custom Building Products. These products are dry and only require water and mixing. We have no experience with the epoxy and urethane products that come pre-mixed and have fumes.

How To Make Mosaic Art

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.

Mosaic Starter Kit (6 Item Kit)

Mosaic Starter Kit No Grout

Our Mosaic Starter Kit Without Grout includes professional-grade tools: tile nipper, mosaic glass cutter, safety glasses, Weldbond glue, and two 1-pound bags of vitreous glass mosaic tiles. It does NOT include grout, which should be purchased at a local building material or hardware store (if grout is desired). The kit is not for making a canned project designed by us. Rather, it is what you need to start working on your own designs and projects. Our mosaic instructions for basic mosaic tasks are free and posted online.

The kit is the perfect way to get everything you need to get started now, and it is priced at a discount. Although the kit was designed with beginners in mind, it includes the same tools and materials used by full-time mosaic artists. Notice that we didn’t include silly cheap stuff like wooden sticks for mixing like most craft kits do. Our kit is made of only essential items like tile, glue, and tools. Also note that we didn’t use tiny sample-sized amounts. The mosaic tile grout and glue are the standard size we sell, and the tools are the same as those used by professional installers. The kit was designed by our resident mosaic artist and are packed right in our shop. Don’t expect a lot of shrink-wrapping and labels -just value!

Mosaic Art Starter Kit Components

Our Mosaic Starter Kit includes:

Why No Grout In Kit?

Shipping cement products is not good value for your money. Buy grout at a local building material or hardware store. We use traditional sanded portland-cement grouts such as made by Mapei and Custom Building Products. These products are dry and only require water and mixing. We have no experience with the epoxy and urethane products that come pre-mixed and have fumes.

How To Make Mosaic Art

For more advice on designing your mosaic project or mounting, cutting, and grouting tile, please see our page of Mosaic Frequently Asked Questions or our Mosaic Information Guide, which lists instructional pages described by topic. We also post new articles about making mosaics at our How to Mosaic Blog.