Mosaic tiles have always looked luxurious and were the prerogative of we althy people. Today, this kind of wall decoration has become available to everyone. What are the sizes of mosaic tiles? We will consider its varieties and styling features in the article.
Material features
A photo of a mosaic tile in the interior always looks advantageous. This is due to the fact that with the help of such a finishing material you can create a unique and inimitable interior. This type of tile has the following advantages:
- Easy installation, since it is no longer necessary to stick each element of the mosaic separately - they are assembled in small sections on a grid or paper base.
- Easy maintenance. Mosaic is chosen for finishing rooms in which there is high humidity, which means that the tile is not afraid of water and is easy to clean.
- Finishing material is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and is not prone to cracking.
- Sections can be cut with an ordinary mounting knife. This is much easier than cutting ordinary tiles.
- The materials from which tiles are made arecompletely environmentally friendly, and therefore safe for humans.
Like other types of ceramic tiles, mosaic has a long service life.
Views
Today, there are a large number of finishing materials that are able to satisfy every taste and budget. Among the mosaics, the following varieties are distinguished:
- Ceramic tile, which is the most affordable and also comes in many color variations.
- Stone tiles, which are made of materials such as granite, marble. Sizes of natural stone mosaic tiles can be very diverse.
- Glass finishing materials are made of heat-resistant glass, which has characteristics similar to ceramic tiles. In addition, the glass mosaic has an unusual appearance.
- Metal mosaic is made of stainless steel. May also be bronze or gold.
The choice of material depends on the features of the future interior of the room, as well as on financial capabilities, since prices have a fairly wide range.
Size grid
For ease of installation, the mosaic is assembled into sections similar to the size of ordinary ceramic tiles. The size of one square of a mosaic tile can vary from 10 to 50 mm. The most popular is the tile, the size of which is 20x20 mm. It features easy assembly and versatile externalview. There is also a mosaic tile with a chip size of 15 mm. Ceramics most often has a classic rectangular shape, and its small size allows you to lay out interesting panels or finish on curved surfaces.
In some variations of designer mosaics, different dimensions of mosaic elements on one wall can be successfully combined. This technique can achieve the effect of depth. The size of the tiles and the width of the mosaic in the composition may also vary. Thus, it is easy to assemble a beautiful composition from small tiles collected in sections of 30x30 centimeters.
Where is the mosaic appropriate?
Many people, seeing beautiful mosaic panels in building materials stores, admire the beauty of the elements. This involuntarily prompts them to think: where could such a decoration be carried out in their own home? Most often, mosaic tiles are chosen for finishing rooms that have high humidity and are characterized by serious temperature changes, such as a kitchen or bathroom.
At the same time, an unusual finishing element can be used as a floor covering, to highlight individual zones. In the bathroom, tiles can be used to highlight an area with a washbasin and a mirror; in the kitchen, an apron is often laid out in mosaic behind the work area or a wall near the dining table.
Glue selection
In order for the mosaic tile to serve for a long time, you need to pay some attention to the materials that are used to hook it to the wall or floor. Oftenspecial adhesive mixtures are used for laying tiles. They may differ and depend on the type of tile and the room for which it is intended:
- The most common ceramic mosaic uses a white or gray adhesive based on cement. These types of building mixtures can be flexible or stable.
- Reactive adhesive should be used for laying natural stone mosaics. In addition, marble is susceptible to high humidity, so it is recommended to carefully close the joints between the tiles.
- The glass version uses exclusively white polyurethane adhesive.
It should also be remembered that if the laying of mosaic tiles is planned in a room with high humidity, then moisture-resistant adhesives should be preferred.
Preparatory work
After the final determination of the dimensions of the mosaic tile and the choice of adhesive that matches the parameters of the finishing material, preparatory work should begin. They consist of the following manipulations:
- For laying the mosaic, it is recommended to check the evenness of the surface, as any differences may adversely affect the appearance of the final result of the finish. To do this, you need to use the building level. If the differences are small, then leveling can be done with tile adhesive, otherwise it is recommended to use plaster to pre-level the walls or drywall sheets.
- The surface must be thoroughly cleaned of debris, dust, previous finishing material and other contaminants. Oil stains, if any, on the surface require special cleaning. It is also important to eliminate raised bulges.
- The final stage of preparation is the application of primers. They are necessary for a strong adhesion of the adhesive and the surface of the wall or floor. Use a roller or wide brush to apply two coats of primer and allow each to dry completely before applying the next coat.
It is important that the walls are smooth and even, otherwise the mosaic canvas will repeat all the curves and irregularities.
Performing markup
This stage is the beginning of the installation of mosaic tiles. It is very important, since the evenness of the subsequent coating depends on it. Mosaic tile with a cell size of 30 by 30 mm is the most common among this kind of finishing materials. Using an ordinary clerical pencil, it is necessary to outline the outlines of the tile on the walls or floor according to its size. For this, it is also recommended to use a ruler, tape measure or attach a mosaic section to the wall.
If there is a drawing on the tile, it is important to make a drawing on paper with the marking of the main elements on the wall. Thus, it will turn out to create a perfectly even and regular ornament. It should also be remembered that if the room has corners that will be finished with mosaic tiles, then work must begin withthem.
Preparation of tools and glue
Regardless of the size of your bathroom or kitchen mosaic tile, it is important to have the following construction tools in place before starting installation:
- notched trowel for applying glue;
- rubber spatula for grouting;
- primer roller;
- glue mixer;
- construction knife;
- hard sponge;
- mixing bucket.
You also need to purchase a special mosaic adhesive, primer and grout of the appropriate color.
Most often, adhesive mixtures are sold dry. Before starting work, you need to prepare a mixture that will be used for laying tiles. To do this, follow the following rules:
- First, you need to pour the required amount of water into the container and only then gradually add the dry mixture while constantly stirring. Violation of this order can lead to the formation of lumps and uneven mixing, which will significantly affect the durability of the mosaic.
- The amount of glue should correspond to the size of the mosaic tile on the grid, as well as its quantity. Otherwise, the material may not be enough until the end of the work.
- According to the rules, the glue must be mixed twice. After the first stirring with a mixer, let the mixture rest for 10 minutes, then stir again.
- Mixer speed should be medium, as the main goal is to stir, not beat the adhesive composition.
Rules for preparing tile adhesivemust be indicated on the packaging. Depending on the manufacturer, they may vary slightly.
Laying tiles
For ease of installation, the dimensions of the mosaic tiles on the grid correspond to the size of the standard ceramic finishing material, so the laying process is quite similar:
- Apply adhesive to the pre-primed surface with a notched trowel. It leaves grooves on the mixture, which contribute to good adhesion of the tile to the adhesive. It is important that at one time you need to apply the mixture only to that part of the surface that will be lined in 30 minutes, otherwise the adhesive may lose its properties.
After that, you can start laying the mosaic. It should be remembered that the distances between the sections must be the same, otherwise the end result may be unsuccessful. You also need to make sure that the glue does not get on the mosaic, since after drying it is quite problematic to remove it.
At the end of installation, allow the tile to dry for two days.
If it is necessary to cut the mosaic, it is recommended to use a construction knife.
Grouting
Mosaic tiles placed in the bath can significantly transform the interior. However, in order for its appearance to be complete, you need to wipe the seams. This is done as follows:
- The grout mixture must be diluted with water in the proportions indicated in the instructions.
- Experienced professionals use a protective spray toin order to facilitate the removal of excess mixture from the tiles.
- Grouting is done with a rubber spatula. A grout mixture is applied to it, which is evenly distributed over the entire surface of the mosaic, filling all the seams.
- After application, the mixture should be slightly moistened with a spray bottle.
After 20 minutes, the seams will begin to dry out. At this time, using a hard sponge, you need to remove the excess mixture that has fallen on the tile. The seams will finally harden only after two days.
Mosaic care
Regardless of the type of tile, maintenance is carried out according to the same principles:
- Periodically, you need to treat the seams with antifungal drugs to prevent the formation of mold. This is especially true in the bathroom, as it is in a state of high humidity.
- It is strictly forbidden to use abrasive products for cleaning, as they can remove the beautiful gloss from the mosaic. It is necessary to use only gel-textured substances.
- Dirt should be removed with a soft sponge.
- It is not recommended to rub the tiles with products containing wax, oils, phosphoric acid.
It is also recommended to wipe the tiles with a dry sponge after each wash to remove excess moisture.
Conclusion
Mosaic tiles may vary in size. However, the methods of laying and caring for such a coating are always identical. In addition, the installation of such a mosaic is no more complicated than a regular tile, so if you follow the instructions, theneven a beginner can cope with the task. Properly fixed mosaic is durable and has good moisture resistance.
