Proper installation of wall or floor glass mosaic is very important to obtain desired visual effects. Here we will discuss in a stepwise manner that how one should install wall or floor mosaic.
Step 1. Preparing the base or foundation that is capable of keeping the mosaic intact is very important. After spending your valuable time and money in creating the mosaic, you obviously want that it should be strong enough to withstand traffic and other things. Most of the floors are built with 5/8 inch plywood. However, you must add an extra 3/8 or ½ inch plywood to it. This extra layer should be glued and then after screwed at every six inches or so.
In case of wall mosaics, it can be glued directly on the wall, provided the wall is built with at least 2 by 4 studs of 16 inches apart centre to centre.
Step 2. Choosing the right type of adhesive is of great importance for gluing the mosaic. For mosaic wall art, a wall adhesive should be used as it is more convenient than its mortar counterpart. Also, a wall adhesive comes premixed and bonds rapidly to make sure that the mosaic does not slide down the wall after installation.
For a mosaic tile floor, an acrylic latex admixture should be used instead of water. This provides extra bond strength to the tiles, especially to vitreous and impervious ceramic tiles. This is also useful for glass mosaics, porcelain or polished-back granite or marble tiles, which are difficult to bond.
Step 3. Selecting the perfect color for you mosaic is of prime importance. A dark color highlights the mosaic pieces while a light color provides a more uniform look. The mortar you are using should be dry before you apply the grout. Normally, it takes about twenty four to forty eight hours for mortar to dry and during this time, tiles should not be disturbed or walked over.
Once the mosaic dries and set, you may find some of its pieces have unglued. You should not bother about this as it is normal for one or two pieces in each mosaic. You can either glue them back or wait for the grout to be applied. The grout acts as a second adhesive and sticks the pieces firmly in their places. Twenty four hours after applying the grout, you can check all the pieces by touching them and if you find some loose ones, glue them back and apply the grout again next day.
Step 4. The last step in wall or mosaic floor installation is sealing the tiles. A couple of weeks after applying the grout, you should seal it with the right grout and tile sealer. In case, you are using natural tiles such as limestone or marble, you should apply a first coat of sealer prior to applying the grout. This will stop the grout from sticking to the tiles while grouting. Often, people tend to ignore this step, but the sealer is instrumental in highlighting the color of your mosaic and protecting the mosaic as well. Several types of sealers are available in the market and you can choose one that complements the materials used in your mosaic.
Now that you mosaic is installed, sit back and enjoy its vividness for years to come.
