Planning a home renovation and are not sure whether the mosaic tile is the right choice for your kitchen or bathroom backsplash? In this short guide, you'll find an answer to the question, "What is mosaic tile?" We'll also provide you with essential information about different types of mosaic tiles and give you some easy tips on how to lay mosaic tiles.
Mosaic tile is an alluring material that is used on floors, walls, countertops, or backsplashes and can help your home look its best, so keep reading.
What Is Mosaic Tile? Learn About the Types
Modern mosaics consist of convenient sheets of preattached tiles. These mesh-mounted sheets can be made of tiny tiles of the same color, or they can use small pieces of tile of varying colors and different shapes for stunning design effects. Mosaics can be made from stones like marble, granite, slate, travertine, metal, ceramic, porcelain, glass, and even real pebbles. There is also peel and stick mosaic tile that is ideal for a quick and easy makeover.
Natural stone mosaics have been used as decorative tiles for the interior for thousands of years in cultures all around the world. They are one of the easiest ways to add color to your room. Travertine mosaics are perfect for creating a down-to-earth feel in your home, and marble mosaics are ideal for adding refined elegance to bathroom floors and shower walls.
Glass mosaics make a good option for achieving a unique look because they are available in a wide range of exciting colors and styles. Whether you want something translucent or opaque, frosted or glossy, textured or smooth, there's an option for you. Glass mosaic tiles are popular because of their ability to withstand moisture and stains and are an excellent choice for a backsplash surface.
Glass and stone blend mosaics combine the best of both worlds and are available in endless color and material combinations. They match perfectly with stainless steel and wood elements.
Elegant metal mosaic tiles have a more modern feel, and you should definitely consider them if you are looking for a more sophisticated, industrial, or futuristic appearance for your home. Due to their moisture- and stain-resistant characteristics, these tiles work perfectly in bathrooms and kitchens and can enhance the style and the durability of your home space. They pair well with geometric patterns, industrial and warehouse styles.
How to Install Mosaic Tile
Compared to standard tile, mosaic tile is easier to install because you don't need special equipment to cut the mesh sheet that mosaic tile is attached to. So how to install mosaic tile? Actually, the process is similar to laying wall tiles.
First, you need to prepare the surface and make sure it is perfectly flat, smooth, firm, dry, and clean. Cement board is now the standard underlayment used for stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile laid with thin-set mortar adhesive. If you want to install your mosaics outdoors, it's better to use thin-set mortar rather than adhesives.
Plan the layout and change the positions of sheets until you get the arrangement right. Start at the very center of the surface, first installing all full sheets of tile. Then you can do whatever cutting is necessary around the obstacles and at the borders.
After you finish mosaic tile installation, install trim or accent tiles. You can use bullnose liners, cove tiles, or baseboard tiles. Let the mortar set, then grout and clean the tiles.
How to Cut Mosaic Tile
You may need to cut tile sheets to fit the edges of the tile area. You can do it using a sharp utility knife. How to cut mosaic tile for very large tile installations? When lots of cutting is needed, the easiest way is to use a tile wet saw.
Another good option is a simple hand tool known as a tile nipper. You can use it to "nibble" each individual tile square within the sheet. Besides, you can use a rail cutter if you want to score an entire row of tiles.
How to Grout Mosaic Tile
It's best to use epoxy grout for mosaic tile. It is stronger, more stain- and crack-resistant than cement-based grout, and it will remain stable under most environmental conditions.
Here is how to grout mosaic tiles:
- Mix up a batch of grout from dry power, following the manufacturer's recommendations for mixing, or use pre-mixed grout for small jobs.
- Smear the grout into the mosaic and make sure it gets in every crack. As mosaic tiles have many grout joints, it can be a lengthy process.
- Allow the grout to harden slightly, according to the manufacturer's directions, then wipe off the excess with a clean cloth or a sponge.
- Seal the grout lines to protect the underlayment and the integrity of the grout. Most sealers should be applied twice for initial sealing; then, the additional application is required every one to two years.
How to Lay Mosaic Tile
Mosaic tile is always trendy, and it allows you to achieve any look you dream of, whether it's a retro feel or a more updated, contemporary environment. You have many options where to lay it. For example, you can use mosaic tilling to create a wow effect on the walls, floors, kitchen and bathroom backsplashes, pool lining, and many other applications.
A straightforward way of incorporating a mosaic is a feature wall in a bathroom. A good idea is to choose vibrant tonal mosaic tiles and match them with relatively understated floor tiles. If you want your mosaic to stand out, it's best to choose a lighter grout color.
Conclusion
We hope that we've given a clear answer to the question, "What is mosaic tile?" Although mosaic tiles tend to be relatively expensive because mosaic sheets are intricate to design and difficult to manufacture, they are timeless and sought after feature in home design. Being extremely versatile and easy to install, they offer endless combinations of colors, sizes, shapes, and materials options and can add a look of luxury to any room.
