Glass and Ceramic Mosaic Tiles: How to Work with Them

Mosaics are gorgeous, inspiring, and often thought-provoking. Making a mosaic is also easier than you might think. If you are looking for mosaic tiles, you have different types to choose from. Just about any type of ceramic, glass, or stone materials can be cut and used as a mosaic. You can even mix different types of materials if they look good together and are the same thickness. Each type has its own properties, cutting techniques, installation methods.

Ceramic mosaic tile is the most popular and generally least expensive mosaic tile. A tile nipper is the best tool for cutting ceramic mosaic tile, including porcelain tile; it also works with many types of stone tile. A wheeled glasscutter is the recommended tool for cutting glass mosaic tile. This tool is similar to a tile nipper, except that the blades are shaped like wheels, making it easier to cut the glass without crushing it.

Mosaic tile is not hard to install. Some tile comes with ridges on the back side, which helps the adhesive bond with the tile. The ridges also tell you which side goes up and which side goes down because the ridges always go down. Many mosaic tiles, particularly smaller size tiles, come with a number of tiles attached to a paper or fiberglass mesh. The mesh keeps the tiles evenly spaced in a pattern or grid. If you need to separate tiles from the mesh all you do is soak the mesh and tiles in water.

Tiles may also come face mounted, which means a piece of paper is lightly attached to the face of the tile. You glue the exposed side (the side without the paper) to the wall or floor. After the glue cures you simply spray water on the paper to remove it.

After the tiles are secured in place and the adhesive has cured it is time to apply grout. Grout serves both practical and decorative functions. On the practical side, grout fills in the spaces between tiles so they stay and place and dirt does not accumulate in the spaces. In terms of esthetics, the color of the grout has big impact on the appearance of the mosaic. A color that contrasts with the color of the tiles makes the individual tiles stand out. On the other hand, if you want the tiles to work together as a whole, grout that is a similar shade as the tile is the best choice. For example, if you are creating an underwater scene for a swimming pool mosaic you want the tiles to blend together, so you should choose a complementary (not contrasting) color grout. Some experts recommend against using white grout because it makes the tile colors look washed out. Darker grouts tend to make colors look richer.

It's a good idea to take a few safety precautions when you work with tiles. When you cut tile wear safety goggles with side shields to keep small sharp pieces from getting in your eyes. Safety goggles will also protect your eyes from grout dust. And, because some people may find that grout irritates their skin, wear rubber gloves when you mix and apply grout.

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+Chris Robertson is a published author of Majon International. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2011 (Mon Sep 27 2010) Majon International. Majon International is one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing and internet advertising companies on the web. Visit their main business resource internet marketing web site at: http://www.majon.com