Every year the range of finishing materials is steadily expanding, and it becomes more and more difficult for the buyer to make a choice in favor of one of them. Many of our readers are interested in mosaic - its types, installation technique, scope, etc. Today we will try to answer all these questions.
Mosaic in antiquity
If someone thinks that this design element is a modern invention, then he is deeply mistaken. Mosaic art is very ancient and widely used by our ancestors. This was in Ancient Russia (X century) a way of decorating walls and floors in temples, cathedrals, churches.
Mosaics are works of art made from small pieces of various materials - glass, stone, etc. How the term "mosaic" appeared remains a mystery. There are many versions about this. One of them - the name is associated with the method of masonry, the other seems more plausible. It is believed that this word was translated from Latin, and it means "dedicated to the Muses."
The earliest use of mosaicspanels are considered to belong to the 4th century BC. e., discovered in Mesopotamia.
Modern technologies
Any mosaic is a drawing up of a pattern from a large number of small details from different materials. The ancient and often lost secrets of this art are now being successfully replaced by new industrial technologies and styling.
Today there are a great many companies specializing in creating mosaic compositions. Each of them offers its own stories and sketches. But if none of them satisfied the wishes of the customer, then he can place an order according to his sketch. It is important to know that the artistic expressiveness of a mosaic panel is achieved not only by the complexity of the pattern, but also by the variety of its constituent materials.
Glass mosaic
Today, this is probably the most common material. To be precise, we are talking about Venetian glass, from which heat-resistant, frost-resistant, impact-resistant and durable mosaics are made. This is a very popular material also due to the wide range of colors. To obtain this effect, a variety of elements are added to glass during glass production - cadmium, selenium, boron, and even semi-precious minerals (aventurine, mother-of-pearl).
Most often, glass mosaic elements (modules or chips) are made in a square shape. The smaller these details, the more detailed the image will be and the more accurate the rendering.
GlassMosaic is a material that has been successfully used for flooring and wall cladding in all enclosed spaces, from bathrooms and swimming pools to kitchens. In addition, it looks great in the design of fireplaces and furniture.
Sm alt mosaic is also very popular. This is a kind of glass material, but with the addition of potassium s alts, and not sodium, as in the first case. This allows you to get a very rich and durable color, completely devoid of any white blotches.
This mosaic looks very dignified. Her chips are very smooth and pleasant to the touch. It has higher technical characteristics than inexpensive samples of glass mosaic. For example, its resistance to abrasion allows it to be used not only inside the building, but also outside.
Ceramic Mosaic
In appearance, ceramic chips practically do not differ from tiles, except perhaps in size. They may be square or rectangular in shape. Colors and shades are quite diverse.
This type of mosaic can be traditionally glazed, or contain "special effects" - small cracks on the surface (craquelure), inclusions of other colors, imitation of irregularities. Unglazed mosaic has a porous structure, which entails corresponding troubles.
Ceramic mosaic is ideal for decorating a wide variety of surfaces, both indoors and outdoors.
Stone mosaic
In the production of this type of mosaic, various types of stone are used,starting with inexpensive tuff and including rare rocks of jasper, onyx, marble. The color of this material is unique, so each image of this material is unique.
When purchasing a mosaic made of natural stone, it must be taken into account that this is a relatively soft material. It eliminates the use of abrasive cleaners, hard brushes. The only exceptions are quartz-based agglomerates.
Unconventional Materials
These, first of all, include porcelain stoneware. It is very often used when creating interiors. This material is stronger than traditional ceramics and is much cheaper.
Metron is a mosaic of colored glass pieces and aventurine. It is used to make countertops, window sills, skirting boards.
Metal ceramics have appeared recently. These are stamped caps, having a height of not more than 4 mm, made of stainless steel sheet, 0.5 mm thick. They are fixed on a special rubber backing, which creates the necessary rigidity.
Leaf mosaic
This is a mosaic of various materials, fixed on a substrate. Sheet mosaic has all the advantages of a tile, but looks different from the outside. It is fixed on a mesh base, so it is easy to cut, which in turn makes it very easy to work on the most inaccessible areas.
Diamond mosaic
This type of needlework comes from the East. Gradually, he began to win admirers around the world. And this is not accidental, because the works created in thistechnology is a stylish and original interior decoration, a great gift for friends and family. So, diamond mosaic - what is it?
In fact, this is the most interesting material from which you can create truly original and beautiful decorative elements. Diamond mosaic kit includes:
- diagram-canvas, with symbols and adhesive layer;
- acrylic rhinestones packed in various bags;
- tweezers.
The work of creating a picture or panel from a diamond mosaic is not difficult, but it will require perseverance and accuracy. It is enough to carefully lay out the rhinestones on the adhesive base in rows or in a checkerboard pattern. In addition to the fact that the sparkling picture will be a wonderful decoration for the interior of your home, it will also delight lovers of needlework with a creative process.
