Mosaic Border

[NW tiler]

I've got to fit a mosaic border half way up a bathroom wall over the next few days. The mosaic is on a mat, usual small squares which the customer wants cutting down to 2 squares width.

Just wondering which is the best way to fit them? Do I trowl the wall as usual then place them in and use spacers between the normal tiles? Do I have to let them set a little before putting the next row of tiles on? How do I keep the straight and level with the tiles? Is it best to use a white adhesive, if so, which one? I usually use Bal or Weber. Tiles are 320 x 320 porcelin floor (being put on the wall) tiles.:huh2:

 

[DHTiling]

Hi mate....

What i tend to do with this type of border is tile up to border height then use tile off cuts which i cut to the same size as the border and use these to support the next row etc and then fit the border last....just use a small off cut on each corner of the tiles...when set remove these and inset the border....
I have a few of those DIY type plastic 2in x 2in spreaders...then i trim it to suit the adhesive bed and the gap for mosaics.....if the bed is deep then pack out with cheap tiles are thin backer board......I hope you understand what i mean..lol lol.........good luck...

 

[NW tiler]

Hi Dave

I think I understand! I'd have to be very accurate with the off cut tiles inserted into the border to ensure a level row of tiles above!

I've not seen the DIY spreaders, will look out for one tomorrow.

Cheers

 

[DHTiling]

With the off cuts you can use some rubi wedges to get every thing spot on.....

The Little DIY spreaders , i get when i buy a small tub of sticky from CTD.....or you can use any stiff kind of plastic and make your own notches on your electric cutter or with a utility knife......sounds like a bit of faff on but its must neater....once set you have two tiles( top and bottom) to pat the borders flat too.....
And the little spreaders you can use on job after job..


These are the type of spreaders that are really cheap...about a £1

 

[brian c]

another great tip Dave m8,spot on. this way you dont have to worry about the weight of the tile above crumbling down on the mosaic,or having to finish at borderline and wait for adhesive to dry then tile above the next day,good tip.

 

[NW tiler]

Cheers dave, sounds clear enough, like Brain C says, didn't want to wait for the border to set. The bathroom is quite small so it shouldn't take too long.

 

[Daz]

Good tip Dave - thanx,

I usually fix a baton and do the top half off of that, then go back for the border.

 

[bansko]

use a baton and leave till last, carry some white rapid set flexi (powder). cut a small screed lat slightly wider than the band and cut a small notch the depth of the cube each end, Fill the band with the rapid and screed off the excess. Use whatever grout is to be used to grout the back of the sheet and fix using your rubber float. Best to fix the mosaic after giving the rapid set maybe 15 mins or so to take up, you can get the perfect flush finish. By grouting the back of the sheet you dont have to worry about adhesive in the joints. used that method for donkeys years.

 

[gonk31]

not sure about the colour of the adhesive you should use, you don`t say if the mosaics are glass ceramic or natural stone, natural stone would deffo need white addy. But just as a reminder you should also always use powdered addy on porcelain tiles regardless of where your fitting them, all BAL powder addys have got porcelbond in them, where as some cheaper normal rapidset`s aren`t really suitable as far as i`m aware