How to glue marble to wood

Woodworking is an enjoyable task that can involve other materials. A set of custom cabinets may have a granite or marble countertop installed on it. A custom bathroom vanity might have a marble top added to it. The do-it-yourself handyman can attach marble and granite to wood using a few tricks of the trade.

Check the wood to be sure it can hold the weight of the marble. If you are putting marble on a cabinet or a vanity, you may need to add supports. Cut 3/4-inch by 2-inch strips of wood that will fit the inner walls of the cabinet or vanity. Cut them to length on a mitre saw and then glue and pocket screw them to the cabinet. A pocket screw jig uses a drill to bore a slanted hole in wood so you can attach it to another piece of wood without the head of the screw sticking up above the surface. Let the glue dry before proceeding to the next step.

Clean the surfaces of the wood and the marble. Remove any loose debris or sawdust. A putty knife and a dust brush work well to remove old glue and debris.

Set the marble on the wood and dry fit it together. Check to see if you need to shim the marble or add additional wood supports. Make sure that the marble fits correctly before proceeding to the next step. You do not want it to wobble or tip.

Apply a silicon adhesive to the wood in spots. It does not take a lot of silicon to hold the marble in place. The silicon will cushion and help to level the marble. Use a caulk gun to apply the silicon to the wood.

Wait for the silicon to dry according to the label's directions before moving or using the marble. The marble is heavy and can shift if bumped before the silicon dries.