packing out mosaic borders

[lip city]

Hi lads, a small quiery for any top pros out there, was just wondering how other people tackle this problem, customers who want a mosaic border around the middle ov the room that is thinner than the tiles? Iv been tiling a few years now but still haven't been able to work out the best way to do this. I suppose it depends upon the thickness of tiles or how flat the walls are etc, iv tried almost every method I can think ov, (mosaic packers, puting cut pieces ov tiles around the room then popping them out and filling with grout then tapping mosaic in) etc but was just wondering how the top pros do this and if I was missing a trick here. Any detailed reply would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Gazzer]

Filling with Grout ?

 

[lip city]

Yeah fill with grout if for example it was just 1 row ov a small border in the past I have used cut tiles the same size a the mosaic then popped them off when the tiles above are set and filling the small gap with grout and this is enough to hold the border in place. If there is a bigger border going around I have bought some tile and grout in 1 and used that for extra strenght to hold the bigger mosaic. Hope this makes sense and any advice is much appreciated.

 

[bugs183]

Just forget to put the mosaics in at all!!
I use a couple of methods Lip.
First is fix the main tiles and cut neat tiles off a gauge to space the gaps where the mosaics are to go.
Then i can sometimes use 5mm Schluter Kerdi board to pack out the back and then mosaic over after.
Or, god how do i explain this.
Cut a template out of a cut piece of tile that has a lip sticking out the thickness of a mosaic, this lip should be the width of the mosaic border.
Run rapid setting white adhesive into the gap where the mosaics are to go and cut this adhesive back with the profile just made.
If its done right the profile will fill the border are with adhesive, but cut back enough adhesive so that once set you can stick mosaics flush with the thicker tiles.
I hope it makes sense.

 

[lip city]

Yeah put a cut the same size as the mosaic around the room then pop it out when the tiles above are set and fill the gap with grout then compress the mosaic into the gap. Ok its not exactly sticking to guide lines but it does work when it is just a small border. Any other advice is much appreciated.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

This is one way using adhesive

 

[lip city]

Thanks for that mate, iv also tried something along the lines of ur first method, filling the gap with cut 6inch white but by doing this it can be to much therefore Iv had to build the rest ov the normals tiles right out which is a hassle to say the least. I lyk the sound ov ur 2nd idea which makes perfect sense mate, can't believe I never thought ov that!! Haha. Problem solved mate thanks a lot.

 

[Andy Allen]

i just use those plastic mosaic packers, most tile shops sell them..

 

[peteablard]

Just forget to put the mosaics in at all!!
I use a couple of methods Lip.
First is fix the main tiles and cut neat tiles off a gauge to space the gaps where the mosaics are to go.
Then i can sometimes use 5mm Schluter Kerdi board to pack out the back and then mosaic over after.
Or, god how do i explain this.
Cut a template out of a cut piece of tile that has a lip sticking out the thickness of a mosaic, this lip should be the width of the mosaic border.
Run rapid setting white adhesive into the gap where the mosaics are to go and cut this adhesive back with the profile just made.
If its done right the profile will fill the border are with adhesive, but cut back enough adhesive so that once set you can stick mosaics flush with the thicker tiles.
I hope it makes sense.

someone had a good step by step set of pics showing this, think it may have been @Phil Hobson but can't remember....

 

[bugs183]

I've tried those packers, we didn't get on!