mosaic tiles/ trowels

[charlie-d]

I am not a tiler but a competent DIYer. My better half has asked me to tile kitchen walls with mosaic tiles each tile on the mosaic sheet is about 50mm x 25mm they look stone like. I have tiled using 150mmx 150mm tiles and larger ones too, however, mosaics may have a differnt approach.
how are they fixed. Top to bottom etc. is there a special adhesive. is there a specific sized trowel. how do you cut them, wet saw, dry cutter, snips. any advice on equipment, set out and adhesives would be appreciated.

 

[Dan]

Welcome to the forum.

Mosaics need to be fixed to a surface that's as flat as possible. The setting out is usually pretty easy due to the size of the tile so try and go full tile from the worktop and just test a few sheets to see where you end up. You're trying to dodge any small cuts which you may persuade yourself to leave out and grout the missing bit, which wouldn't look good.

You need to use a thin layer of adhesive, there are mosaic adhesives out there but generally a standard tub adhesive should suffice providing it's got a decent grab. The trowel you use to spread the adhesive should have very small serrations in it or be an actual mosaic trowel which has tiny little triangles cut out of the edge down the whole length of the trowel.

You can apply the adhesive and then a sheet and then tap the sheet of adhesive with a grout float or similar. This will stop you pushing the odd mosaic too far into the adhesive when you end up getting in a mess with if you try and pull it back out.

Cutting them can be done on a wet cutter or with nippers. I doubt you'll cut any on a dry cutter, even given the fact your mosaics are wider than they are longer.

A tip: A sheet or to before you meet the end of the wall, check the gap between the tiles on the wall and the adjacent wall and if it is about to leave a small gap (hard to cut a mosaic to fit) stretch the sheet of mosaics as you apply them to gain that few extra mm over your last couple of sheets. If that makes sense (you'll get it when/if you see the problem) Even if it means pulling the last few inches worth of mosaics off the sheet and stick them in the adhesive yourself to equal the grout spaces but still getting rid of any small cuts.

I dont THINK i've missed anything but I'm sure i'll stand corrected if I have.

Good luck mate.

 

[DHTiling]

hi and welcome to forums ..make sure you wash any adhesives that pushes through the joints before it dries .......dave...