Stick Stone
Ultimate Adhesive to Glue Stone
Discover why Adiseal is the ultimate adhesive to glue stone. It will stick stone to many different materials including wood, metal, concrete, plastic, tile, cable, polystyrene, masonry, glass & many other items.
Adiseal outperforms other adhesive when it comes to sticking stones of different types including marble, granite, travertine, Indian stone, sandstone & slate just to name a few. This article will look at out how to stick stone using an adhesive and also glue for stone.
Which stone glue?
There are many adhesives & glues available that can be used to stick stone but to achieve a strong long lasting bond the correct adhesive or stone glue needs to be used.
When picking a stone glue, there are several factors to consider to ensure you choose the right adhesive for your specific needs. Here are some key factors to look for:
- Compatibility: It is essential to select a stone glue that is compatible with the type of stone you are working with. Different stones have varying properties and characteristics, such as porosity, hardness, and chemical composition. Ensure that the adhesive is formulated to bond effectively with the specific type of stone you are using.
- Bonding Strength: Consider the required bonding strength for your project. Some applications may require a high-strength bond, especially for load-bearing or structural purposes. Look for adhesives that provide sufficient strength to withstand the intended load or stress on the bonded stones.
- Application Conditions: Evaluate the environmental conditions in which the stone adhesive will be used. Factors such as temperature extremes, moisture exposure, and UV radiation can impact the performance of the adhesive. Choose a stone glue that is designed to withstand the specific conditions of your project, whether it is indoor or outdoor, wet or dry environments, or extreme temperature variations.
- Setting Time: Consider the setting or curing time of the adhesive. Some adhesives offer fast-setting properties, which can be beneficial for time-sensitive projects or areas that require quick installation. On the other hand, slower-setting adhesives may allow for more adjustment time during installation.
- Flexibility: If the stone you are bonding is prone to movement, such as natural stones with inherent expansion or contraction, choose a stone glue that offers flexibility. Flexible adhesives can accommodate the natural movement of the stones without compromising the bond.
- Chemical Resistance: Evaluate the resistance of the adhesive to chemicals, solvents, and environmental pollutants. This is particularly important in applications where the stones may come into contact with substances that could degrade or weaken the adhesive bond.
- Ease of Use: Consider the ease of application and the specific requirements for mixing and applying the adhesive. Some adhesives come in pre-mixed formulas, while others require mixing with a catalyst or activator. Ensure that the application process aligns with your skills, equipment availability, and project timeline.
- Aesthetics: If the appearance of the bond line is important, consider adhesives that offer color-matching options or those that dry clear to maintain the natural beauty of the stone.
By carefully considering these factors and consulting with adhesive manufacturers or suppliers, you can select a stone glue that meets your project’s specific requirements and ensures a strong and durable bond.
Why Adiseal is great adhesive for stone
There are many reasons why Adiseal adhesive & sealant is a great adhesive for stone.
- Adiseal is the record breaking strongest adhesive & sealant. It proved it’s the best in an independent adhesive strength test by Ultimate Handyman.
- Adiseal stays permanently flexible so it will absorb any vibration and allow any items to expand & contract without the construction adhesive becoming weak.
- Adiseal is waterproof so it is also suitable for use outside. It also seals underwater & glues underwater.
- Priming the material should not be required as long as the surface is clean of any dust, grease, paint or any other dirt.
- It does not stain or bleed into stone or masonry.
- Adiseal has very high gap fill properties.
- Has high initial grab meaning temporary supports may not be required while the construction adhesive cures. Adiseal Hi-Grab has even higher grab than the standard product, see below for details.
- With Adiseal, the stone does not require sealing prior to applying Adiseal.
On our concrete demonstration block we have stuck many different items using Adiseal adhesive & sealant. We have also stuck marble to the concrete with Adiseal adhesive & sealant being used as a stone glue.
Independent test results
In the independent adhesive strength test by Ultimate Handyman, Adiseal was over 3 times stronger than the nearest competitor. The test on Adiseal was forced to be stopped as the screws holding the test rig down started to rip out.
Testimonials
Testimonials & some comments on the: Grab adhesive tests 2017, video on YouTube
- That Adiseal is phenomenal!
- That Adiseal is some stuff though, definitely need to get some of that bought!
- I instantly went looking for Adiseal!
- Need to get my hands on some of that to try out.
- Looks like a cracking product.
- Having used the two most expensive brands on numerous occasions, I’ll be trying out the others, especially the Adiseal.
- Adiseal certainly surprised me in this test!
- Fantastic tests. It’s unbelievable that Adiseal test with the hardwood.
Adiseal Adhesive & Sealant vs Adiseal Hi-Grab
Adiseal adhesive & sealant has high initial grab but for even more grab use the Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesive. The final bond strength of both construction adhesives is similar.
Adiseal Hi-Grab is very useful when trying to bond heavy items to a vertical surface where the item is likely to slide down the surface without temporary supports to hold it until the adhesive has cured. With the Hi-Grab construction adhesive, the adhesive grabs straight away, eliminating the need for temporary supports even in more heavy applications.
Adiseal Hi-Grab also has even higher gap fill than the standard Adiseal adhesive & sealant. Due to Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesive having a thicker consistency, a lot higher force is required to push the item to the surface you are bonding it to. For this reason in certain applications the standard Adiseal adhesive & sealant is the better option to go for as the gap between the 2 items being bonded can be minimised creating a better bond.
Other adhesives on stone
Problems with epoxy adhesives
There are several problems with using epoxy adhesives on stone. Listed below are the main problems of epoxy adhesives.
- Although epoxy adhesives might initially bond the item to a stone surface, epoxy adhesives are not flexible meaning the bond will become weaker over time. Air temperature & moisture changes cause items to expand & contract putting extra forces on an adhesive. If the adhesive is not flexible it will become weak & brittle, then eventually break.
- Epoxy adhesives also come in 2 separate components which require mixing. To achieve optimum epoxy adhesive properties, the 2 components need to be the correct ratio therefore require careful measuring. They also need to be mixed thoroughly together. If these 2 are not done then the optimum properties of the epoxy may not be achieved.
- Epoxy adhesives have lower initial grab than Adiseal, meaning temporary supports will usually be required whilst the epoxy adhesive cures. This increases time & money with extra labour cost.
Problems with mastic adhesives
Just like epoxy, mastic adhesives also have many problems when being used as an adhesive on stone. Listed below are the main problems of mastic adhesives.
- The main problem with mastic adhesive is that the bond is weak in the 1st place. A mastic adhesive might be suitable at sticking light items indoors but will fail at more heavy duty applications.
- Another problem with mastic adhesives are they are not waterproof. This means they are not suitable for use where there will be water like bathrooms, kitchens or outdoors.
- Just like epoxy, mastic adhesives are not flexible meaning the already weak bond will become weaker over time.
- The initial grab of the mastic adhesive is also low meaning temporary supports will be required, increasing time & labour cost.
Problems with contact adhesives
Contact adhesives may be suitable in sticking light sheets to a surface but won’t not suitable for more heavy duty applications. There are a number of problems with contact adhesives.
- Contact adhesives have low initial grab meaning temporary supports will be required until the adhesive has cured.
- Contact adhesives also has low gap fill meaning if there is a gap in certain places between the 2 surfaces of the items being bonded, the contact adhesive will not stretch between the 2 surfaces. This will create a much weaker bond as only in a few places where the surfaces are very close together will the adhesive successfully bond.
- As stone is porous it will require sealing first so that it does not soak up any contact adhesive.
Problems with using glue on stone
Glues are generally suitable at sticking small items to smooth surfaces but not for more heavy duty applications like bonding items to stone. For more heavy duty applications, a construction adhesive like Adiseal will be required. Glues have lower gap fill, initial grab, bond strength, flexibility & other problems compared to Adiseal adhesive & sealant when trying to stick items to stone. As stone is porous it will require sealing first so that it does not soak up any glue.
How to stick stone
How to glue stone to different materials.
- Clean surface.
Adiseal is suitable at sticking stone, brick, tile or masonry to concrete in interior and exterior applications. Brush of any dust thoroughly prior to applying the adhesive. With Adiseal, priming of the stone, brick or masonry is usually not required as long as the surfaces are thoroughly clean. We recommend using a fine brush like a painting brush to remove fine dust.
- Sealing stone?
A common problem when using other adhesives or glue for stone is they tend to bleed into the stone, as stone is a porous material. Instead of using these other adhesives or glue for stone, using Adiseal will avoid this problem.
- Apply stone glue or adhesive.
Apply the stone glue or adhesive to 1 surface and firmly push the items together.
- Hold stone in place.
Temporary supports may be required if the items starts to slide down. Adiseal can take 24 to 48 hours to fully dry. It has high initial grab but for even more instant grab use the Hi-Grab product.
- Remove excess.
Wipe away any excess stone adhesive or glue. Adiseal can be simply wiped away with a cloth. Use Adisolve to help remove and uncured Adiseal.
For safety reasons on extra heavy stone, brick, tile or other masonry items, mechanical fixings also need to be used in conjunction with Adiseal when used on to bond items to vertical & overhead applications.
How to bond wood to stone
Adiseal will successfully bond both softwood and hardwood to stone. It will provide a strong long lasting bond in both interior and exterior applications. Prior to applying the adhesive, it is vital to have clean surfaces where the adhesive will be applied. Make sure both surfaces are free from any dust, grease, paint or any other dirt. We recommend using a fine brush like a painting brush to remove fine dust.
On our concrete demonstration block shown above, before applying the adhesive we have thoroughly brushed the concrete using a paint brush to make sure any dust is removed.
After the surfaces are clean, with wood simply apply the adhesive to either material and firmly push it onto the stone. If there is potential of water in the area the item is being bonded to, Adiseal needs to be applied in thin vertical strips. This allows any water to run down between the strips instead of building up behind the item. In cold temperatures water will turn to ice which expands and pushes the surfaces apart.
There should be no need for temporary supports but if the wood does start to slide, then temporary supports may be required until the adhesive has cured.
Wood tends to soak up moisture in the air meaning it will expand. Using a flexible adhesive when sticking wood to stone is very important.
For safety reasons on extra heavy wood, mechanical fixings also need to be used in conjunction with Adiseal when used on to bond items to vertical & overhead applications.
How to bond metal to stone
Adiseal will successfully bond all metals to stone in interior & exterior applications. As described above, it is vital to have clean surfaces where the adhesive will be applied to.
Some metals may have an oil applied to it to stop the metal from rusting. This oil needs to be removed before the adhesive can be applied to the metal surface. Adisolve is ideal at removing oil, grease, tar & many other stubborn deposits.
To achieve a strong bond, lightly scratch the surface of the metal where the adhesive will be applied to. This will increase the surface area allowing for a stronger bond. Clean the surface thoroughly after scratching the surface to remove any loose metal.
Once the surfaces are clean, simply apply the adhesive and firmly push the metal to the stone. Temporary supports may be required if the items slide down, or use the Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesive for more grab.
For safety reasons on extra heavy metal items, mechanical fixings also need to be used in conjunction with Adiseal when used on to bond items to vertical & overhead applications.
How to bond plastic to stone
Adiseal is suitable at bonding most types of plastics to stone. As with metal, clean the plastic thoroughly to make sure any dust, oil, grease, paint or any other dirt is removed before applying the adhesive. Scratching the surface of the plastic will increase the surface area increasing the strength of the bond between plastic & stone.
After both surfaces are clean, apply the adhesive and firmly press the item onto the stone.
Adiseal is also great when used to glue artificial grass to stone.
Safety
When working with adhesives to glue stone, it is important to be aware of the safety implications to protect yourself and ensure a safe working environment. Here are some safety considerations:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Always wear the appropriate PPE, including safety goggles or glasses to protect your eyes from potential splashes or fumes. Additionally, wear gloves to prevent direct contact with the adhesive, which may contain chemicals that could irritate the skin.
- Adequate Ventilation: Ensure that the area where you are working is well-ventilated. Open windows or use fans to allow fresh air circulation and minimize the inhalation of fumes. Some adhesives can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the curing process, which may have an odor or potential health effects if inhaled in high concentrations.
- Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions: Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and safety guidelines provided with the adhesive product. This includes information on proper handling, storage, and application techniques. Adhering to these guidelines will help minimize potential risks and ensure the best results.
- Avoid Skin and Eye Contact: Prevent direct contact between the adhesive and your skin or eyes. If contact occurs, immediately rinse the affected area with water and seek medical attention if necessary. Some adhesives can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, so it is essential to take necessary precautions.
- Work in a Stable Environment: Ensure that your work area is stable and secure, especially when handling heavy stones. This helps prevent accidents, injuries, or damage caused by falling objects.
- Fire Safety: Some adhesives are flammable or may release flammable vapors. Keep all sources of ignition, such as open flames or sparks, away from the adhesive and follow proper fire safety precautions in your work area.
- Proper Storage and Disposal: Store adhesives in a cool, dry place as recommended by the manufacturer. Ensure that containers are tightly sealed to prevent leaks or spills. Follow local regulations and guidelines for the proper disposal of adhesive containers and waste materials.
- Emergency Preparedness: Familiarize yourself with the appropriate emergency procedures in case of accidental exposure or spills. Keep a first aid kit nearby and have access to emergency contact numbers for medical assistance.
- Heavy items high up: If heavy items are bonded high up or overhead, if an adhesive does fail in the future, could the heavy item cause damage to property or even hurt someone below it. For some heavy applications, it’s also recommended to add additional mechanical fixings together with an adhesive.
By following these safety precautions and using adhesives in a responsible manner, you can minimize the potential risks associated with gluing stone and ensure a safe working environment for yourself and others involved in the project.
Glue for stone
It is also possible to glue stone using our Adiglue. Although Adiglue is less brittle than super glues, it is still not as flexible or strong as Adiseal construction adhesive & construction sealant.
In the example below we have glued a metal handle to a heavy concrete slab with the Adiglue glue. The concrete required sealing first with Adiglue Activator so that it does not soak up the Adiglue. Sealing is not required when using Adiseal construction adhesive & construction sealant to stick the same metal handle to concrete or stone.
We have also stuck some bricks together and also brick to MDF with Adiglue to demonstrate what it is capable of. Sealing with Adiglue Activator was required first prior to applying the glue.
Glue for Marble
Adiseal & Adiseal Hi-Grab are great adhesives when used as marble adhesive or glue for marble. When using Adiseal or Adiseal Hi-Grab to glue marble, make sure both surfaces are thoroughly clean to get the strongest bond. Sealing the marble is not necessary on the surface where the adhesive will be applied. Once the surface is thoroughly clean, apply the adhesive to 1 surface and push the marble onto the other surface.
Temporary supports may be required until the adhesive has cured. When the marble is stuck on vertical or overhead applications, mechanical fixings are recommended together with the adhesive for safety reasons.
As explained above it is also possible to use Adiglue to glue marble, but it won’t be as strong or flexible as Adiseal or Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesives. If using Adiglue to glue marble, the marble will require sealing first with Adiglue Activator before applying Adiglue. This is not required for Adiseal adhesive & sealant or Adiseal Hi-Grab.
To get the strongest possible bond with any glue for marble, making sure both surfaces are clean is very important. We recommend brushing the marble surface with a fine brush like a painting brush to help remove fine dust.
Adhesive for Granite
Adiseal & Adiseal Hi-Grab are great adhesives when used adhesive for granite or glue for granite. When using Adiseal or Adiseal Hi-Grab to glue granite, make sure both surfaces are thoroughly clean to get the strongest bond. Sealing the granite is not necessary on the surface where the adhesive will be applied. Once the surface is thoroughly clean, apply the adhesive to 1 surface and push the granite onto the other surface.
Temporary supports may be required until the adhesive has cured. When the granite is stuck on vertical or overhead applications, mechanical fixings are recommended together with the adhesive for safety reasons. As explained above it is also possible to use Adiglue to glue granite, but it won’t be as strong or flexible as Adiseal & Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesives.
Adhesive for Slate
Adiseal & Adiseal Hi-Grab are great adhesives when used adhesive for slate or glue for slate. When using Adiseal or Adiseal Hi-Grab to glue slate, make sure both surfaces are thoroughly clean to get the strongest bond. Sealing the slate is not necessary on the surface where the adhesive will be applied. Once the surface is thoroughly clean, apply the adhesive to 1 surface and push the slate onto the other surface.
Temporary supports may be required until the adhesive has cured. When the slate is stuck on vertical or overhead applications, mechanical fixings are recommended together with the adhesive for safety reasons. As explained above it is also possible to use Adiglue to glue slate, but it won’t be as strong or flexible as Adiseal or Adiseal Hi-Grab adhesive.
Adhesive for Indian Stone
Both Adiseal adhesive & sealant and Adiseal Hi-Grab are suitable at bonding Indian stone to many different materials. As Indian stone is a porous material, not all adhesives are suitable working with Indian stone. Adiseal adhesive & sealant and Adiseal Hi-Grab do not bleed through or stain the Indian stone. They will provide a good strong bond on Indian stone that will remain waterproof & flexible.
How to bond Indian Stone
Making sure both surfaces are thoroughly clean is important to getting a good strong bond. We recommend brushing any debris off then going over it again with a finer brush like a painting brush to make sure any dust is also removed. Apply the product to one surface then push both materials together. Temporary supports might be required as it can take 48 hours for the product to cure.
For more information on adhesives visit our detailed guide on adhesives page.
Frequently asked questions about sticking stone
Adiseal is the best adhesive to use on stone as it has proven to be the strongest adhesive by an independent adhesive strength test. Adiseal is flexible, waterproof, high gap fill, high grab, UV resistant and sticks almost any type of material to stone.
To apply stone adhesive, making sure both surfaces are clean of any dust, grease, paint and any other dirt is vital before applying the adhesive on to the surface of the item being stuck to the stone. Adiseal has good initial grab but Adiseal Hi-Grab has even higher initial grab.
If temporary supports can be used then it is recommended to use the standard Adiseal Adhesive for a closer bond.
To remove adhesive from stone, use a sharp item like a knife or chisel. Usually chemical adhesive removers will not have any affect on stone adhesive.
As stone is a porous material, it will soak up any liquid glue or adhesive. With Adiseal this is not required as Adiseal will not soak into the stone. If the stone does require sealing for use with other adhesives, use the Adiglue Activator to seal it.
The best exterior stone adhesive is Adiseal. It is flexible, waterproof, high gap fill, high grab, UV resistant and can be painted over. It works in the dry, wet and even underwater. In an independent test, Adiseal has proven to be the strongest adhesive.
Stone glue, also known as stone adhesive or masonry adhesive, is a specialized adhesive used for bonding stone surfaces. It works by creating a strong chemical bond between the stone and the adhesive, providing a secure and durable connection.
Stone glue is suitable for bonding a wide range of stone materials, including granite, marble, limestone, travertine, slate, and other natural or engineered stones.
Adiseal has been shown to be the strongest construction adhesive in an independent test. Adiseal will stick many different materials to stone of different types. It will provide an extra strong, flexible and waterproof bond that is very durable, weather resistant and has long longevity.
Suhail Matadar
Suhail Matadar has extensive experience in the construction industry as an electrician, involved in installing, inspecting, and testing electrical systems in various projects. He excelled in sales, working for a major UK wholesaler, selling construction products to professionals and the DIY market. Suhail's background includes working at a leading home emergency repair company dealing with trades people. With a BEng (Hons) degree in Electronic Engineering, Suhail has worked with PLCs in the nuclear fuel manufacturing industry. During his studies, he gained practical experience at a chemical manufacturing company known for producing award-winning cleaning, hygiene, and livestock protection products for over a century. Currently, Suhail runs a global business specialising in supplying, researching, testing, and distributing chemical construction products like adhesives and sealants.