How to lay a mosaic tile: surface preparation and styling. Mosaic tiles

The segment of finishing materials is one of the widest in the construction industry. The richness of proposals is determined by the variety of technical and operational qualities, and the difference in textures. Clearly, there is a tendency to eliminate clear barriers between separate groups of facing materials. This is evidenced by tile-mosaic, used in the design of facade surfaces, in decorating internal walls, etc.

What is a mosaic tile?

In essence, this is a classical facing tile, but in a special format. It is distinguished by the materials of manufacture, small size and configuration of laying. The main division within this category of decoration is based on the material. The most common ceramic mosaic, characterized by durability and versatility of use. As a rule, the installation of mosaic tiles based on ceramics is carried out in rooms with aggressive media and high humidity.

The surface of high-quality ceramics is not simply opposed to passive factors of influence, but also purposeful treatment with detergents during harvesting. An interesting solution in the interior can be a glass tile mosaic.

On the technical and operational properties it resembles ceramics, but it provides a unique decorative effect, reflecting the directional rays of the sun or artificial light.

If you need a more durable material for floor laying, then you should give preference to concrete-mosaic elements, which are advantageously distinguished by their resistance to mechanical influences. But if you choose mosaic tiles for the kitchen or bathroom, it is better to give preference to glass ceramics.

The concrete base is not so tolerant to moisture and is more focused on use in conditions of increased physical exertion.

Where appropriate to use the material?

Still, the material became popular due to its decorative qualities. Therefore, such coverage is often used in the design of swimming pools, verandas, terraces, balconies and individual facade objects. Utilitarian use of the mosaic in the kitchen also justifies itself both as a design solution and as a practical version of the cladding, unpretentious in care.

The choice of a specific location of special restrictions is not - you can design and completely the entire surface, and a separate zone. Laying is performed on the floor and on the wall. Problems can arise only when decorating uneven surfaces and ceilings.

The question of how to lay the mosaic tiles on inclined surfaces is simplified by the manufacturers themselves, offering a special tooling. Usually for such purposes, mesh panels are produced, which are easily fixed on the target surface.

The main task of the performer is to provide technically a clamping force for a time, provided by the technology of applying a specific adhesive composition.

Preparing the surface for laying

The surface requirements for which the mosaic is planned are more stringent than for conventional tiles. It must correspond to several conditions, including smoothness, evenness, absence of contamination and sufficient adhesive capacity. To achieve these qualities, it may be necessary to perform stripping with metal brushes, priming and puttying measures.

But even under the condition of an ideal technical condition, not every surface is suitable, if it can not provide a coupling with the adhesive solution. Especially when it comes to rooms with a constantly high level of humidity. For example, the question of how to lay a mosaic tile in a bathroom can be complicated due to the low stability of the base rough coat to moisture.

The same cement composition or conventional plaster may well retain the original specifications, but it can not create optimal conditions for adhesion. How is this problem solved?

Due to the correct selection of the primer base. In this context, it is required not only to fill defective areas, but also to ensure a future bundle of roughing, glue and tiles.

Selection of adhesive composition

Two categories of glutinous solutions are common, which can be used in the process of laying tile-mosaic materials. These are modified cement compositions and more modern polymer mixtures. From the second group, experts, in particular, recommend the line Ceresit, in which it is possible to find universal means for different coatings.

The highest requirements are imposed on compositions that adhere tiles in swimming pools and other places that are subject to intense effects not just of moisture, but of water. How to glue a mosaic tile in such conditions? The gluing technique will be standard, but special attention should initially be paid to the waterproofing ability of the mixture.

Typical waterproof solutions on cement and polymer bases are unlikely to fit here. It is advisable to immediately apply to latex liquid adhesives, which have a high degree of wettability and elasticity. These include, for example, latex plasticizers like Isolastic and Latexkol-m.

How is the mosaic tile laid?

Between the traditional tiles and mosaic elements there is a difference in the form of size. The usual tile is larger, which causes the differences in the approaches to installation. But also mosaic elements can have if small, intermediate intermediate parameters. Such material can be stacked according to the classical technology.

Work begins with the application of glue paste on the working area. This is done with a notched trowel. The prongs are designed to form an uneven laying of the glue with waves - they must necessarily be to improve adhesion.

Now another question - how to lay a mosaic tile for observance of uniformity? You should start from the center, also applying glue to each fragment. Stacking from the central part will make possible inconsistencies in the extreme areas, where unsightly lines will not be so noticeable.

Completely insure against uneven areas will not work, because it is impossible to accurately calculate the laying of mosaic material by area. Perhaps, edging tiles will remain around the edges, but this is also natural for such materials.

How to put a mosaic tile on a grid?

The peculiarity of the mesh tile is that the laying is not done separately from each fragment, but in general the panel. This is a kind of modular parts ready for laying the flooring, in which dozens and even hundreds of elements can be placed.

The mosaic tile is laid on the grid according to the above scheme for glue. This operation is more convenient for the reason that one approach allows you to glue the pad immediately on an average of 50x50 cm. Of course, there are other formats of release.

The basis on which the fragments of the mosaic are located are usually represented by a synthetic polymeric material. Its structure is also endowed with optimal characteristics of adhesion and waterproofing. More importantly, the mosaic tile on the grid allows the possibility of cutting a solid panel into separate fragments.

Alignment

Conventional large-format tiles are adjusted by the piece. The master can determine by eye how accurately the fragments were adjusted relative to each other. In the case of mosaic, the situation is more complicated. If the mesh panels, thanks to the original location on one basis, allow for minimum altitudinal deviations in levels, then individual small fragments will have to be leveled additionally.

This is done with a spatula with a rubberized working area by attaching it to the material. But there is another question - how to put a mosaic tile on the floor, so that in the process of applying the fragments, the position of the material is not lost?

In this case, the alignment is performed as soon as the stacking is done, when the artist is directed to the exit. The same spatula should be pressed groups of fragments to the surface, controlling the location of height, length and width.

Cleaning and sealing of seams

At the final stage, it is necessary to bring the coating to an aesthetically pleasing state. To do this, clean the surface of the remaining particles of the adhesive. By the way, at this stage, such a question could arise: how to lay a mosaic tile with the formation of equal seams?

Usually, the mosaic is applied with arbitrary parameters of the gaps, which is a design decision. In the case of the mesh panel, the seams are almost perfect, they are simulated by the intervals in the canvas.

If you want to create geometrically smooth lines, you can apply technological barriers that are located between the individual fragments of the mosaic. After laying, they are removed, and the seams are filled with special sealants, primers or the same glue composition.

Conclusion

Mosaic coatings for all the complexities in the laying give a unique decorative effect. This is not a new kind of cladding, but today it is experiencing another wave of popularity.

Additional attention of consumers is due to the fact that tile-mosaic in modern collections offers a huge choice in texture and texture. Manufacturers are developing classic release formats with neutral shades for the same bath or pool, and stylistic variations that recreate the natural texture.

Of course, individual series are dedicated to specific subjects, works of fine art, etc.