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Mosaic Tile
Can’t decide on one color, pattern, material, or finish for your backsplash? Or are you looking for a tile that is great for your outdoor pool and other small spaces? Mosaic tile is definitely an option to consider for either your bathrooms or kitchen areas. This versatile material can be used on its own or mixed and matched with other backsplash materials. For homeowners who have decided on this type of backsplash, here’s our guide to mosaic tile.
What is Mosaic Tile?
Mosaic tiles are small squares of material that are generally 2 inches in size or smaller. These tiles are often attached to mesh fiberglass with glue. Tiles are spaced out with gaps for grout seams and this arrangement makes installation much easier because you don’t have to install the mosaic tile individually.
The Benefits of Mosaic Tiles
Visually Aesthetic
Mosaic tile sheets are made up of different tiles that come together to create a cohesive design. If you’re looking for mosaic tiles that fit seamlessly with your overall home design, there is a manufacturer selling the mosaics you are looking for. There are also mosaic tiles that will make your kitchen or bathrooms around the house stand out. You just need to explore!
Flexible
With your imagination the only limit to the different combinations of patterns, shapes, and sizes of tile, how beautiful your bathroom or kitchen backsplash will be. Mosaic tiles can be made out of ceramic, glass, natural stone, porcelain, metal, or marble which means that you can stick to a certain type of tile for your walls or mix and match different materials. You can also create your own design if you’ve been shopping for wall tile but have not been able to find the right mosaic for your space.
Long-lasting
Mosaic wall tiles are as functional as they are beautiful. When made out of porcelain, ceramic, or glass, in particular, mosaic tile is durable for flooring, the shower, or mounted behind the stove or sink as a backsplash. After installing mosaic ties, they will be just fine against splashed water and hot oil.
Easy to Maintain
After you have installed your mosaic tiles, sweep away the debris and dirt. Afterward, use water and a mild detergent to clean your backsplash. Light cleaning or maintenance afterward will only need a mild detergent and water. Note that the water to mild detergent ratio will depend on what type of mosaic tile you picked up at the store.
Overall, mosaic tiles are low-maintenance, stain-resistant, and will not harbor mold or bacteria.
How to Choose Mosaic Backsplash Tiles
Color
Green, blue, pink, white, red, purple…the list goes on! Shop for a mosaic that can easily be incorporated into a room by choosing a complementary color. You can choose an off-white mosaic for the shower or grey tile to go with your marble floor. Take into account the other elements that are on display. You can use mosaics that have hints of gold to bring out the décor around the kitchen or use a sheet made up of pebbles to complement your stone floor.
Size
Popular sizes for mosaic as backsplash include:
½ inch by ½ inch
1 inch by 1 inch
1 inch by 2 inch
2 inch by 2 inch
3 inch by 3 inch
Shape
Choosing a shape to fill your mosaic sheet depends on the interior design of a space and your preference. Choose one shape or shop for different tile shapes to mix and match:
Hexagon
Round
Square
Herringbone
Basketweave
Diamond
Lantern
Fish Scale
Octagon
Strip
Material
The next step in choosing a tile that’s just your style is narrowing down the material you want. Choose from different materials based on their color, finish, price, durability, and maintenance. Shop for mosaic tiles made out of the following:
Travertine
Marble
Glass
Metal
Porcelain
Ceramic
Wood
Natural Stone
Slate
Grout
After going through sample mosaic tiles and narrowing down the shape, design, color, and material you prefer, it is time to choose your grout. Search for a growth that matches your mosaic tile color if you wish to make the pattern on your backsplash more subtle. To make the intricate patterns on the mosaics pop, look for a grout color sample that is lighter or darker than your tiles. Filter through samples to see which colors will create the right contrast but still work with your kitchen or bathroom backsplash.
Installation
After flipping through the pages of a magazine or choosing a sample, you need to decide whether or not you will install mosaic backsplash tile yourself. If you have the skills and tools to navigate the installation process yourself, then do so. Otherwise, get the necessary support by hiring professionals to take care of installing the mosaic sheet in your bathroom or kitchen.
Mosaic Tile FAQs
Is mosaic tile good for a kitchen backsplash?
Yes, mosaic tile is good for kitchen backsplash because it is stain-resistant and can put up with the heat from cooking or baking.
Is mosaic backsplash out of style?
No, mosaic is not out of style. You can shop for a glass, metal, or porcelain mosaic sheet that will seamlessly blend into your interior design. Mosaic is so versatile design-wise that you can definitely keep it for years.
What tiles to use for mosaic?
The best tiles to checkout for mosaic backsplash is porcelain. If the area you are installing your backsplash deals with heat and moisture, porcelain is a very dense and durable option.
How do you do a mosaic tile backsplash?
To install mosaic backsplash yourself, you will need to:
Prepare the walls. It is a good practice to mark the center of your kitchen or bathroom wall where you will apply the tile. Clean up the wall and use take to mask off your kitchen cabinets or bathroom countertops nearby.
Spread your adhesive. Apply a thin layer of adhesive in an area big enough for 2 sheets to 3 sheets of mosaic at a time.
Set your tile. Press your mosaic tile sheet into the adhesive and tap the mosaic with a rubber mallet and spare wood.
Cut tiles to fit your wall. For any areas on the wall with outlets, use a saw to cut your mosaic tile sheets into smaller portions.
Grout and clean. Use a float to really get grout into the mosaic tile joints after 24 hours. Wait 10 minutes after application to wipe the grout off your tiles.
