Whatever interior style is chosen for the kitchen, mosaics are most often chosen for the apron. This is a good decision both in terms of design and as a search for wear-resistant material. In the catalogs of building hypermarkets, a huge number of a wide variety of options are presented. They differ in price, material of execution, type of pattern and many other parameters. And this means that it is possible to choose a mosaic for the kitchen that will 100% match your preferences. It should also be combined with the overall interior style of the room.
Like any other material, mosaic has advantages and disadvantages. When choosing, you should pay attention to such important factors as the material of manufacture, the method of installation, the size and configuration of the elements. In general, there will be more than enough cases. In order to better prepare for the implementation of the plan and to mount the mosaic without difficulty, it is important toprepare and study the subject in detail. This article will help with this.
Mosaic in the kitchen: characteristics and features of a decorative element
Why choose this cladding material? The main feature of the mosaic is its unusual appearance, aesthetic appeal and endless possibilities for selection. Probably no other material can decorate the kitchen like this. Mosaic today is popular all over the world and, as already mentioned, is used in various stylistic directions.
The cladding material is characterized by small size and is usually square or rectangular in shape. Sometimes there are round, triangular and hexagonal elements. A mosaic can be monochromatic, consist of several shades, have a pattern, or even form a pattern when laid out correctly. Made from materials such as mirror, ceramic, stone, porcelain stoneware and so on.
Which areas of the kitchen are usually tiled?
The most common apron facing. Sometimes all the walls are laid out with mosaics in the kitchen, but this option involves large financial and time costs. Therefore, it is more reasonable to single out only one zone - an apron. Why? Because the apron defines the main part of the room, so to speak, the heart of the kitchen. In this area are the main pieces of furniture and appliances: countertops, sink, small appliances, hob, hood. If you look from the other side, the apron is the protection of the walls from grease, water, soot and other contaminants. Therefore, it is very important that the chosen claddingmet the stated requirements. And the mosaic is just one of them.
Advantages and disadvantages of facing material
Mosaic in the kitchen for an apron has only two drawbacks: the complexity of the layout and the high cost. Small elements are really very difficult to lay, for this you need to have a certain level of skill and be extremely careful. Accordingly, a lot of time is spent on laying out in comparison with the installation of ordinary tiles. In addition, grouting is not such a simple process - this stage will require an investment of no less time.
Disadvantages, although few, but they are significant enough to abandon this undertaking. But do not rush, because you still need to familiarize yourself with the benefits:
- Aesthetics. It is difficult to overestimate the decorative properties of the mosaic - it looks incredibly stylish and beautiful.
- Quality. Mosaic has excellent wear resistance, is not afraid of moisture, high / low temperatures, or household chemicals - in general, nothing. Although it is relatively expensive, the investment is more than justified by the durability of the facing material.
- Assortment. In construction stores, there are a lot of different options for mosaics, you can even find one made of artificial material, so it will cost an order of magnitude cheaper.
- Care. Mosaic for an apron in the kitchen does not require any special cleaning measures, so the usual household chemicals are suitable for it. Moreover, in this materialless visible pollution.
Varieties of mosaic
This lining can be classified according to the type of material, the configuration and size of the elements, and the method of fastening. Often the main role in the selection is played by the form. In addition to the "standard" geometric shapes, there are "broken" elements. This variety is usually created by hand, it can even be made independently. But the layout will look bewitching and fill the kitchen with extraordinary attractiveness.
It also matters the size of the elements. Usually mosaic details are made in 10x10, 15x15 and 20x20 mm formats. This parameter may vary slightly depending on the shape of the parts. Also on the market there are elements with a format of 50x50 and 100x100 mm. Here you should rely only on your own preferences.
Classification by type of material
Mosaic in the kitchen is often selected depending on the raw materials used in the production. It can be the most diverse, starting with plaster and ending with metal. Another popular material is wood. But, given that the humidity in this area is increased, you should choose from the following options:
- Ceramics. Like tiles, they are made from clay. However, it differs from it in a variety of shapes and shades. It is also durable and resistant to negative influences from the outside. There are both expensive options and cheap ones. But the lower the price, the worse the quality will be. And, accordingly, the service life will decrease.
- Stone. high qualitymaterial, but rough and heavy. Stone is not recommended for kitchen backsplash as it is rough and has a porous surface.
- Porcelain tile. Something in between stone and ceramics: in terms of strength and properties it is similar to the first, and in terms of production method - to the second. It is quite expensive, but it is of the highest quality and wear resistance, and therefore will last a very long time.
- Glass. It has the most pronounced decorative properties. Translucent glass elements shimmer, reflecting the incident light. This mosaic is very easy to care for.
Also popular is the mirror mosaic - it makes it possible to visually change the proportions of the room. For example, a diagonal laying method will contribute to the visual expansion of the space, and small elements will increase the distance between the top and bottom of the kitchen set. In terms of properties and quality, the mirror is comparable to a tile. But sm alt, used for decoration since ancient times, is characterized by the fact that it can create a handmade effect, and therefore looks expensive and stylish.
Classification by fastening method
As a rule, the manufacturer supplies the facing material to stores in the form in which it will be more convenient for the buyer to work with it. Individual fragments are combined into a matrix of various sizes, which is assembled on a grid or paper base. The choice depends on how it will be more convenient to fix the mosaic. If it is a paper base, then the layout is carried out by attaching the tiles to the solution applied to the wall. When it driesthe paper is removed by opening the front side. If it is mesh, the matrix is placed on the solution with the back side, that is, the one that has a mesh base.
Sometimes craftsmen create a mosaic on the kitchen wall on their own, breaking the material into pieces of different shapes, which are then randomly laid out. In this case, it is not recommended to apply the solution immediately to a large area, otherwise it will dry quickly.
Popular design options
The important part is the choice of design. You can treat the issue without enthusiasm, using the classic styling option. And you can approach it with all responsibility, combining different shapes and materials together, thanks to which you can create an unusual composition.
If you don't want to mess around with mosaic design in the kitchen, you can turn to more classic options. Among them are the following basic directions:
- monochrome surface - a standard technique that uses a mosaic of one shade;
- mix - the option is simple, but differs from the previous one in the greatest variety, since it combines several shades belonging to the same color scheme, as well as several randomly arranged elements of a contrasting tone;
- pattern is a more complex technique in which full-fledged ornaments of any complexity are created from individual patterns by combining elements;
- picture is the most difficult option, which is recommended not to think through on your own, but to buy ready-made sets of the ones you liketracks.
Glass mosaic in the kitchen to decorate the apron
This option is practical and easy to care for, looks beautiful, is inexpensive, and therefore is one of the most popular. Most often, glass mosaics are painted in various colors, creating unusual, bright compositions. As a rule, elements are made with a size of 1x1, 1, 5x1, 5 or 2x2 cm. The thickness of the products is about 3 cm. Mosaic details are matte, transparent or translucent, with decorative inclusions and other additions. You can achieve a simple but stylish design by alternating the white mosaic in the kitchen with one or more bright shades: light green, yellow, blue. Or choose neutral colors. This design is incredibly beautiful, as you can see by looking at the photo above.
Stone mosaic
As already mentioned, natural material is quite expensive. That is why they choose it much less often. Also, do not forget about the characteristics of the stone - it is heavy and rough. If, nevertheless, the choice is on such a mosaic, it will look incredibly beautiful in the interior of the kitchen, making it more “alive”. However, not every stone is suitable: it is recommended to choose between granite and bas alt. An example of such a mosaic is shown in the photo above.
Porcelain stoneware and ceramic mosaics
These options are the most diverse, are distinguished by versatility and highquality. But you should be aware of their differences. Ceramic elements are produced separately, and porcelain tiles are ceramic tiles cut into pieces. They will also add uniqueness to the interior.
Metal mosaic
Another versatile and high-quality material that will please the eye for decades. Most often, steel mosaic tiles are installed in the kitchen. Rarely copper. But both options have excellent decorative properties and exceptional characteristics - strength and durability.
"Mirror" apron
With its help, you can achieve an effect similar to glass. However, the mirror has its own personality, affecting the proportions of the room in one way or another.
Technical component: requirements for the base and the choice of glue
The surface should be smooth and even - this is the main rule. Only in this way will the mosaic lie tightly. Otherwise, it will turn out to be wavy, repeating all the surface irregularities. This will be especially noticeable on glass and mirror mosaics.
Use 3 types of adhesive composition designed for such work:
- cement-based rigid or elastic composition - for ceramics, natural stone and glass;
- dispersion one-component adhesive - for glass;
- two-component reactive adhesive mortar - natural stone.
Step by step installation instructions
Calculationcladding is carried out in several stages. If the fine finish carried out before is of poor quality, the walls are first leveled. Next, you need to mark the surface. An area is outlined on the wall, which, in fact, will be an apron. Everyone has the right to determine the area independently, making it larger or smaller. But usually this is the entire area that is located between the upper and lower cabinets. Do not forget about the part of the wall between the hood and the stove.
How to glue the mosaic in the kitchen? Initially, you need to make sure that the marking line is even, both above and below. Then a part of the wall, hereinafter referred to as an apron, is covered with the selected type of glue. On it, by the way, it is not worth saving. Cheaper options will slide under the weight of the mosaic, which will significantly complicate the already painstaking work. So, if there is a risk of such a problem, you can make a kind of limiter in the form of a shelf. Drywall or a profile is suitable for its manufacture.
Mosaic is laid depending on the basis. It is already known that it can be mesh or paper. It is impossible to say which basis is easier to work with. Here the choice depends solely on the type of material from which the mosaic is made.
The paper base involves applying tiles to the wall, the mesh one - on the contrary, that is, the mesh will remain on the adhesive layer. So all the matrices are laid out, neatly, alternately and slowly. It is best to apply the adhesive to the wall in small patches so that it does not dry out. When all the elements form an apron, the paper base is removed (if suchoption).
The next step is to clean the seams from glue residue. This is done with a brush. When the excess is removed, grouting is carried out. There are much more of them than when laying out ordinary tiles, so you have to tinker. You will need a grout mixture, which is prepared according to the manufacturer's instructions, and a spatula. It must be tightly filled with all the seams. It is recommended to move the rubber spatula at an angle - this way it is much easier and a little faster to work. When the grout dries, the stains on the mosaic are removed with a damp sponge. That's the whole process of laying small tiles. Having understood each step, it will not be difficult to perform these manipulations.
