What is a mosaic tile and what is its feature?
The wide color range of this tile makes it possible to create decorative panels, mosaic mixtures, patterns and stretches in the form of a transition from saturated to more lighter shades. Due to small dimensions, the material can be used for both internal and external finishing of different curved surfaces.
If earlier each plate was laid out separately, today tile-mosaic is produced, the size of each part of which is 2х2 cm, on the matrices of 30x30 cm. Small elements are laid out on matrices and fixed with film or paper, which is pasted on the front side. There is a reception with a glueing of a combination of small details with a grid, which is fixed from the wrong side. As for mosaic stretch marks, this panel is produced in length of 2.5-2.8 m of different width.
Mosaic tile varieties
In the market, mosaic tiles are represented by three main types of material:
- Ceramics - small ceramic tiles. For bathrooms and pools used glazed mosaic, and for other rooms you can use unglazed.
- Glass is the most accessible material for mosaic. It is resistant to chemicals, high-strength, waterproof. It can be used for facing kitchens, saunas, baths, swimming pools, as well as fireplaces and stoves.
- Smalta is a type of glass, superior in its physical properties to conventional glass mosaic. At a high temperature, small pieces of glass and oxides of different metals are fused.
Opaque smalt has an unusual deep light, thanks to which the panel looks different, depending on the lighting and time of day.
But there are also stone, ceramic granite and metal mosaic. They are characterized by all the same properties as for massive materials, so there is no need to describe them, and they are used less often than the above options.
Mosaic tile-imitation - is replacement good?
Mosaic, of course, looks good and visually increases the space, but its price is very high and not everyone can afford. Then for those wishing to finish the walls, tiles for mosaic are produced. Unfortunately, it will not work, for example, to paint an arch or a column, as it is produced with one-piece tiles on which a pattern of a mosaic or slits is applied. It has the dimensions of ordinary tiles: 20x20, 20x60, 30x30, 33x33, 30x60 cm, etc.
Imitation of the mosaic is of three types depending on the depth of incisions:
- Tile with deep, smooth and empty slits that separate the surface into cells. After laying the seams are erased not only between the tiles, but also on their surface. Experts recommend choosing this kind of tile, which mimics a mosaic.
- On the tile are visible small incisions, which are factory-filled with imitation grouting. These seams visually divide the surface into cells that resemble a mosaic. But it has a minus. During transportation, the "grout" cracks and falls out. Clear cracks, of course, can be smoothed with a grout, but it should match the tone exactly. And this increases the cost of work and creates difficulties when stacking.
- Slots on the tile are almost invisible, and the surface is covered with glaze. The mosaic effect is created thanks to the pattern. This is the simplest and cheapest kind. From a distance, it looks pretty, but near this effect is lost. In addition, the grout between the tiles emphasizes the boundaries, so when choosing this option, you need to get the grout in color.
The mosaic laying is a painstaking and laborious process. It requires attention and concentration, so it is better to call professionals to avoid spoiling the material. But the imitation of the mosaic can be laid, without resorting to someone else's help, it is enough to put ordinary tiles.
