How to Lay Mosaic Tile

Mosaic tile has been a tradition in home decor for at least a century. These small tiles can be found in restored, early twentieth century homes, and have gained popularity in contemporary homes as well. Whether in bathrooms, kitchens, entry halls or on backsplashes, mosaic tiles are a decorative and practical choice for high traffic areas and areas exposed to water on a daily basis. Though they appear more intricate than large-scale tiles, mosaic tiles are not more difficult to install, and with a few tips, most homeowners should be able to successfully complete a mosaic tile project.

Things You'll Need

• Cement backerboard (optional) Mesh tape and screws (optional) Power drill and mixing arm attachment Mosaic tile sheets Grout Tile cement or thinset Tile nippers and scissors Grout sealer Large flat putty knife or trowel Grout float and rectangular tooth-edged trowel Rubber mallet and wood block Bucket and towels Measuring tape

Instructions

Preparation

1. Prepare your surface correctly to begin the tiling process. If you are laying mosaic tile on a floor, it is best to remove existing flooring (tile, wood, laminate) down to the plywood subfloor. If the subfloor is solid and in good repair, the mosaic tile can be laid directly on the subfloor. If you are installing tile on a wall, it is important to make sure that the wall surface is clean, smooth and level before you begin.

2. Add an additional subfloor or wall (in the case of a shower or backsplash) of cement backerboard if the subfloor is in poor repair, or if you are laying the mosaic tile in large areas that are constantly exposed to water. Cement composite board is moisture-resistant and can prolong the life of your floors and walls by preventing moisture seepage.

3. Install the sheets of backerboard onto existing walls (in the studs) or on plywood subflooring, by screwing the sheets down along the edges. The sheets can be scored with a craft knife and then snapped cleanly apart for custom fits.

4. Cover the seams with mesh tape after you have installed the backerboard, and spread thinset or cement in a thin layer over the taped seams. Feather the cement out with your trowel in order to ensure a seamless, smooth finish. After your surface has been prepared with backerboard (or if you have a solid plywood subfloor), you can begin measuring for tile.

5. Measure your space exactly, and always purchase several extra feet of mosaic tile in case of accidents or miscalculation.

Laying Mosaic Tile

1. Find the exact center of your surface by using a tape measure, or chalk lines snapped from the center of each wall. This is where you should begin laying tile, so that the most visible area to be tiled is consistent, and any cuts or adjustments that have to be made will be around less visible edges.

2. Begin tiling by spreading thinset or cement evenly over your surface using the notched edge of a square tiling trowel. Then press your first sheet of mosaic tiles into your center spot and begin tiling. Mosaic tile generally is available for purchase in sheets in which the small tiles are attached to a webbed mesh backing (sometimes covered with a protective paper backing.)

3. Place a wood block over the tiles you have just laid, and gently tap with a rubber mallet around the surface of the entire sheet to make sure that all the tiles will be frmly set. It can be difficult to make sure that each small tile is firmly embedded, and this tapping process can help.

4. Continue this process around the entire floor or wall. Mosaic tile sheets can be cut with a craft knife or scissors to fit exactly in a specfic area, and individual tiles can be trimmed with a tile nipper to ensure an exact fit around edges or corners.

5. Begin the grouting process after the tile has been allowed to dry for at least 24 hours. Grouts are available in a variety of colors, and are most often a powder that you mix with water in a bucket, using a mixing arm attachment on a drill. Always closely follow the instructions on the grout bag to achieve the right consistency.

6. Spread the grout firmly over the entire surface, starting in one corner and working outward with a rubber grout float, and then use warm water and towels or sponges to wipe off the excess. After the grout has dried for 48 hours, apply a grout sealer with a brush or towel over the entire floor, according to the instructions on the bottle, to prolong the life of your grout and protect it from moisture damage.

Tips & Warnings

• It may be necessary to grout more than once in order to fill in all cracks and ensure a smooth finish. Thinset and cement are available in both premixed and powdered form; the powdered cement is generally considered to be best for large surfaces.

• Always wear gloves when working with grout, as many grouts contain chemicals to which skin should not be exposed for long periods of time.

References

• Mosaic Tiles
• Laying a Mosaic Tile Floor

Resources

• MosaicMarble.com