For tile on plywood, a tile adhesive lists the plywood it goes over; both we read rule out particle board and Luan, and AcrylPro OSB too. For a few tiles or a mosaic on wood, some glues list both.
Gluing
Tile
ceramic and porcelain tile
To
Wood
solid wood, plywood, MDF
Where
What holds
Two-part epoxy or construction adhesive
10 products have both surfaces on their makers’ lists.
Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute (two-part epoxy). Gels in 5 to 7 minutes, full cure in 24 hours. Not for heat over 120°F or continuous water.
Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear (construction adhesive). Fully cures within 24 hours. Waterproof, and the surfaces can be wet.
Loctite Extreme Glue (hybrid polymer glue). Clamp 30 minutes, full cure in about 24 hours. Water resistant, not for underwater use.
J-B Weld SuperWeld (super glue). A super glue; J-B Weld gives a full cure in 24 hours.
J-B Weld KwikWeld (two-part epoxy). Sets in 6 minutes, cures in 4 to 6 hours. Up to 250°F; J-B Weld says it’s not as strong on aluminum.
Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max (construction adhesive). Press together within 10 minutes; cures in 12 to 24 hours. Goes on from 0 to 140°F.
4 more products list both.
We’d keep these glues for small tile repairs and accents. For a cracked or damaged tile, Loctite’s tile repair guide says the best option for a larger flaw is to take it out and reset it in mortar, and tile adhesives such as AcrylPro list the surfaces they’re made to go over.
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Which wood a tile adhesive goes over
Custom AcrylPro: exterior grade plywood, in interior residential and light commercial dry areas. Not directly on hardwood, Luan plywood, particle board, parquet or OSB.
DAP Weldwood Multi-Purpose: underlayment grade plywood, for interior use. DAP says exterior grade plywood must be securely fastened and free of flex, and its chart recommends no product over particle board or Lauan.
The plywood rules come from Custom Building Products’ and DAP’s tile adhesive data sheets, and the glues from each maker’s own surface list. Checked against published data from J-B Weld, Henkel, Gorilla Glue Company, Pittsburgh Paints Company and Custom Building Products (plus 1 more).
See all 15 sources
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Max Strength Construction Adhesive Clear: product page, FAQ and SDS
Gorilla Glue Company, Gorilla Construction Adhesive Ultimate: product page
Gorilla Glue Company, outdoor DIY projects and the best adhesives (pro tips article)
Henkel, Loctite Epoxy Instant Mix 5 Minute: product page, technical data sheet (2025) and SDS
Henkel, Loctite Extreme Glue: product page, technical data sheet (2022) and SDS
Henkel, Loctite Metal Glue: product page, technical data sheet (2025) and SDS (2025)
J-B Weld, frequently asked questions (what each product bonds, and what most won’t)
J-B Weld, J-B Weld Original twin tube: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, KwikWeld twin tube: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, ClearWeld syringe: product page and SDS
J-B Weld, SuperWeld: product page and SDS
Pittsburgh Paints Company, Liquid Nails Fuze*It Max (LN-3000): product page, technical data sheet (2026) and SDS (2026)
Henkel, Loctite, “Ceramic tile repair: A quick guide to saving tile and money” (article, 2024)
Custom Building Products, AcrylPro Professional Tile Adhesive: technical data sheet TDS-127 (2024)
DAP, Weldwood Multi-Purpose Ceramic Tile Adhesive: product page, technical data sheet and SDS (2022)
General guidance from manufacturer and standards data. Products vary, so check the label and the maker's instructions.