| You have gone through the process of creating your | | | | mosaic marble tile. |
| mosaic. You are very happy with the outcome but | | | | Grouting your mosaic |
| now comes the part of the process that will display it | | | | Grouting your mosaic is the next step. Selecting the |
| to the world! It is actually the most rewarding part of | | | | perfect color is also very important. A dark color will |
| the whole process. | | | | bring out the pieces much more whereas a lighter |
| Preparing your base | | | | color gives a more even look. |
| After spending ten to thirty hours to create your | | | | Make sure you allow enough time for your mortar to |
| mosaic, depending on its size, you want to make | | | | dry before applying your grout. Usually 24 to 48 |
| sure that it will withstand traffic and the possible | | | | hours is the recommended time. During this time do |
| elements to which it will be exposed. | | | | not disturb or walk over the tiles. |
| You will need to have the right base, the foundation | | | | Once your mosaic has set you might have mosaic |
| that will keep your mosaic intact. The base is the | | | | pieces that came unglued, do not worry, this |
| same as if you would install any ceramic, which is a | | | | generally happens to one or two pieces in each |
| total of at least one inch of plywood. Most floors are | | | | mosaic. You can either glue it back or leave it there |
| built using 5/8 inch plywood. To this base you will | | | | and the grout will act as a second adhesive and hold |
| need to add an extra 3/8 or 1/2 inch plywood. This | | | | the piece firmly in place. What I usually do is after 24 |
| extra layer of plywood must be glued and then | | | | hrs I touch every piece in my mosaic to see if I |
| secured with screws every 6 inches. | | | | have loose ones, then I glue them and the next day |
| For wall mosaics you can glue directly onto the wall if | | | | I apply the grout. |
| it is built using at least 2 by 4 studs minimum of 16 | | | | Sealing your mosaic |
| inches apart center to center. | | | | The last step is sealing your tiles. Seven to fourteen |
| Gluing your mosaic | | | | days after applying your grout you should seal it with |
| Selecting the right adhesive is also a very important | | | | the appropriate grout and tile sealer. However if you |
| step. If you created mosaic wall art then you would | | | | use natural tile such as marble or limestone you must |
| use a wall adhesive which is much easier to work | | | | give a first coat of sealer before applying your grout, |
| with then a mortar adhesive. This product comes | | | | this will prevent the grout from sticking to your tile |
| premixed and bonds quickly, so your mosaic will not | | | | while grouting. |
| slide down the wall once installed. | | | | There are many different types of sealers, |
| For a mosaic tile floor I do not take any chances and | | | | depending on the materials used in your mosaics. It is |
| use an acrylic latex admixture instead of water to | | | | a very important step that many people do not |
| my dry-set mortar. This will give it extra bond | | | | bother with, but the sealer will not only protect put it |
| strength, especially when using impervious or vitreous | | | | will help bring out the color of your mosaic. |
| ceramic tiles and most difficult to bond to tiles such | | | | Now that you have finished your mosaic you can |
| as glass tiles, porcelain or polished-back granite or | | | | admire it for years to come! |