Mosaic tiles have always looked luxurious and were the prerogative of wealthy people. To date, this kind of wall decoration has become available to everyone. What are the sizes of mosaic tiles? Its varieties and styling features will be considered in the article.
Material Features
A photo of mosaic tiles in the interior always looks advantageous. This is due to the fact that with the help of such finishing material it is possible to create a unique and inimitable interior. Tiles of this kind have the following advantages:
- Simplicity of installation, since it is no longer necessary to stick separately each element of the mosaic - they are assembled in small sections on a grid or on a paper basis.
- Ease of care. 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 wash.
- Finishing material is not afraid of sudden changes in temperature and is not prone to cracking.
- Section cutting can be done using an ordinary mounting knife. It is much easier than cutting ordinary tiles.
- The materials from which the tiles are made are completely environmentally friendly, which means they are safe for humans.
Like other types of ceramic tiles, mosaics have a long service life.
Kinds
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 has many variations of shades.
- Stone tile, which is made of materials such as granite, marble. The sizes of mosaic tiles made of natural stone 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.
- The metal mosaic is made of stainless steel. May also have a bronze or gold color.
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 chart
For ease of installation, the mosaic is assembled in sections similar to the size of ordinary ceramic tiles. The size of one square of mosaic tiles can vary from 10 to 50 mm. The most popular tile is the size of which is 20x20 mm. It is distinguished by ease of assembly and universal appearance. There is also a mosaic tile with a chip size of 15 mm. Ceramics most often have a classic rectangular shape, and its small size allows you to lay out interesting panels or finish on curved surfaces.
In some variations of the designer mosaic, different sizes of mosaic elements on one wall can be successfully arranged. This technique can achieve the effect of depth. The size of the tile 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 in size.
Where is the mosaic appropriate?
Many people, seeing beautiful mosaic panels in stores of building materials, admire the beauty of the elements. This involuntarily leads them to the thought: where could such a finish be done in one's own home? Most often, mosaic tiles are chosen for decoration of rooms that have high humidity and are characterized by serious temperature extremes, such as a kitchen or a 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 a zone with a washbasin and a mirror; in the kitchen, an apron is often laid out in mosaics behind the work area or the wall near the dining table.
Glue selection
In order for the mosaic tile to last for a long time, you need to pay some attention to the materials that are used to couple it to the wall or floor. Most often, special glue mixtures for laying tiles are used. They may differ and depend on the type of tile and the room for which it is intended:
- For the most common ceramic mosaics, white or gray glue is used, the basis of which is cement. These types of building mixtures can be elastic or stable.
- For laying mosaics made of natural stone should be used reactive glue. In addition, marble is susceptible to high humidity, so it is recommended to carefully seal the joints between the tiles.
- For the glass version, only white adhesive on a polyurethane basis is used.
It should also be remembered that if the laying of mosaic tiles is planned in a room with high humidity, then moisture-resistant adhesive compositions should be preferred.
Preparatory work
After the final determination with the dimensions of the mosaic tile and the choice of glue that meets the parameters of the finishing material, you should begin the preparatory work. They consist in the following manipulations:
- For laying mosaics, it is recommended to check the evenness of the surface, since any differences can adversely affect the appearance of the final result of the finish. To do this, use the building level. If the differences are insignificant, then alignment can be done with tile glue, otherwise it is recommended to use plaster for preliminary alignment of walls or sheets of drywall.
- The surface must be thoroughly cleaned of debris, dust, previous finishing material and other contaminants. Oil stains require special cleaning, if any, on the surface. It is also important to eliminate embossed bulges.
- The final stage of preparation is the application of primers. They are necessary for strong adhesion of the adhesive and the surface of the wall or floor. Using a roller or a wide brush, it is necessary to apply two coats of primer and allow each to completely dry before applying the subsequent material.
It is important that the walls are smooth and even, otherwise the mosaic will repeat all the bends and bumps.
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 tiles with cell sizes of 30 by 30 mm are the most common among this kind of decoration materials. With the help of an ordinary stationery pencil, it is necessary to outline the outlines of the tiles on the walls or floor according to its size. To do 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 draw a drawing on paper with the marking of the main elements on the wall. Thus, it will be possible to create a perfectly even and regular ornament. It should also be remembered that if there are corners in the room that will be decorated with mosaic tiles, then work should begin with them.
Preparation of tools and glue
Regardless of the size of the mosaic tiles for the bathroom or kitchen, it is important to have the following construction tools before installation:
- notched trowel for applying glue;
- rubber spatula for grouting;
- roller for applying a primer mixture;
- glue mixer;
- construction knife;
- hard sponge;
- bucket for stirring.
You also need to purchase special glue for mosaics, a primer and a grout mixture of the corresponding color.
Most often, adhesive mixtures are sold in dry form. Before starting work, you need to prepare a mixture that will be used for laying tiles. To do this, be guided by the following rules:
- First, you need to pour the required amount of water into the container and only then, constantly stirring it, gradually introducing the dry mixture. 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 tiles 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.
- The speed of the mixer should be medium, as the main goal is to stir, and not beat the adhesive.
The rules for the preparation of tile adhesive should 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 installation process is quite similar:
- On a pre-primed surface, glue should be applied using a notched trowel. It leaves grooves on the mixture that contribute to the good adhesion of the tile to the adhesive. It is important that at a time you need to apply the mixture only on that part of the surface that will be lined in 30 minutes, otherwise the glue 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 final result may be unsuccessful. You also need to ensure that the glue does not get on the mosaic, since after drying it is quite problematic to remove it.
At the end of the laying, let the tile dry for two days.
If necessary, mosaic cutting is recommended to use a construction knife.
Grouting
Mosaic tiles placed in the bathtub can significantly transform the interior. However, in order for her appearance to be complete, you need to grind 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 in 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 needs to be slightly moistened with a spray bottle.
After 20 minutes, the seams will begin to dry. At this time, using a hard sponge, you need to remove the excess mixture that fell on the tile. Finally, the seams will harden only after two days.
Mosaic Care
Regardless of the type of tile, care is carried out according to the same principles:
- Periodically, it is necessary to treat the joints 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 beautiful gloss from mosaics. It is necessary to use substances exclusively gel texture.
- Contamination should be removed with a soft sponge.
- It is not recommended to rub the tile with agents that include wax, oils, phosphoric acid.
Also, after each wash, it is recommended to wipe the tile with a dry sponge to remove excess moisture.
Conclusion
Sizes of mosaic tiles can be different. However, the styling and care methods for such a coating are always identical. In addition, the installation of such a mosaic is not more complicated than ordinary tiles, so if you follow the instructions, even a beginner can cope with the task. A properly fixed mosaic is durable and has good moisture resistance.