Mosaic Tiles

[Blakey]

Are the principles the same for fitting Mosaic Tiles as normal tiles. and how do you cut them?
I have crystalline glass tiles that have a mesh backing 300x300 comprising of six tiles across the width and eighteen high.
I plan to cut them into strips three tiles high to use as Border tiles but don't know how to cut them into the corners.

Blakey.

[marc1106]

you need a 6mm v notch trowel and i use a diamond disc on a grinder to cut into corners (but i do them regularly) so i would recommend you set them out dry first to avoid cutting where possible!

[Blakey]

Thanks for the advice.
When laying the tiles out do you try to match the cut into the corners as with normal tiles ie: if less than half a tile reposition to get a bigger cut at each end of the wall.

[marc1106]

yeah always layout tiles in the same way regardless of size

[royaloakcarpentry]

what are the thickness of the mosaic you are going to use for border and the thickness of the main tiles?

[marc1106]

what are the thickness of the mosaic you are going to use for border and the thickness of the main tiles?

i think we should maybe worry bout that once we get over the cutting issue ROC

[royaloakcarpentry]

If you know the thickness then he can have advice on fitting, as well as cutting...................If he is asking about cutting them, then the chances are he ain't going to have a clue about using different thickness tiles. After all, read his first line. big clue there mate. You are only trying to answer one of his questions, I want to answer both.

Still laughing!

[Blakey]

Main tiles are 5mm and Mosaics are 7mm

[marc1106]

If you know the thickness then he can have advice on fitting, as well as cutting...................If he is asking about cutting them, then the chances are he ain't going to have a clue about using different thickness tiles. After all, read his first line. big clue there mate. You are only trying to answer one of his questions, I want to answer both.

Still laughing!

always laughing mate

just think its easier to walk em through it 1 step at a time personally

[royaloakcarpentry]

lol, well I am sure he can handle more than one piece of info at a time.

You can cut the mosaic tiles as marc1106 has previously said. They can be wet cut or dry cut, you can also us a hand held glass mosaic cutter. As previously said also, setting out follows same principles of other tiles as does adhesive application all be it with a smaller notched trowel.

Tile the wall up to mosaic height. Using a good quality mosaic adhesive apply a thin bed and use a 3mm notched trowel to form the ribs. Put up mosaic and tamp lightly into position. When the adhesive has set sufficiently carry on tiling above with the normal tiles.

You want to be achieving a level face finish between mosaic and normal tiles.

[tictic]

make sure you use a 3mm notch trowel as ROC,has said or you could see the ribs through the glass mosaic...
if doing larger area with mosaic,you can use panel pins to hold the sheets in place(as long as you aint tanked the wall)..and use your grout float to tap(well beat the crap out) till you get flat....
when fixing mosaic.. the walls will need to be flat as a snooker table.

[Blakey]

Thanks one and all for the advise,

Hopefully last question and I will leave you all alone for a while, I am tiling half way up all the walls and putting the border all the way round the room, except in the corner end of the bath where the shower is going, I am going to continue tiling up to the ceiling five tiles out from each corner, do I finish above the border and where the uprights finish with plastic capping or is there another way.

Blakey

[marc1106]

there are many different styles of tile trim, and as your main tiles are 5mm id go for the 6mm trim, finishes are up to you there is quadrant plastic or quad chrome or brushed finish and there is also a flat trim in metal but what ever you decide to go with it will look better than a grout edge!

[Cantseeitfrommyhouse]

Using mosaics as a border tile is a right fiddle. Will take you longer to do the border than the rest of the tiles. They have a tendancy to wiggle around when you press the neighbouring one down.

Use a straight edge against the tiles below to check when you plant the border that you've pressed the top edge of the border no more and no less further into the adhesive than the bottom edge, or you'll end up with lippage when you carry on up the wall.

Good luck, you'll need it.

[royaloakcarpentry]

What size are your main tiles, do they have one edge which is glazed?

Are you going to finish the half height areas with trim along the top of the mosaic?