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My project is «blank» in size. How many tile do I need?
There are approximately 225 of our 3/4" tiles to the square foot. This number can vary due to the spacing of your tile. Also, if you break the tile for use in your mosaic, there will be more grout and less tile per square foot.
A 1-pound bag of our 3/4" tile (unbroken) covers approximately 90 square inches (a square area 9" on one side and 10" on the other).
Tile Questions
How many tile come in each package?
Our 3/4" tile comes in both 1/2-pound and 1-pound packages. There are approximately 70 tile per 1/2-pound bag and approximately 140 tile per 1-pound bag.
Our 3/8" tile comes in both 1/6-pound, 1/2-pound (color families only) and 1-pound packages. There are approximately 100 tile per 1/6-pound bag, 300 tile per 1/2-pound bag and approximately 600 tile per 1-pound bag.
As tile weight varies by color, there may be more or less per bag. The metallics are the heaviest tiles, so there will be less of them per bag.
Can I use your tile as a flooring material?
You can use our tile in flooring applications. Our tile will withstand the pressure of normal foot traffic, but they should not be used in areas of heavy traffic or under heavy weight (such as under a refrigerator or on a skateboard ramp).
A more important factor to consider is the integrity of the substrate onto which you will be adhering your mosaic. If your floor substrate is uneven or flexible, this will very likely cause the tile to shift and crack. At the very least, this will cause the setting and binding materials to degrade and come apart.
Are the tiles heat proof for fireplaces?
Our tile are highly heat-resistant and are not resistant to thermal shocks. They can be used as fireplace-surrounds, trivets and similar projects.
The main consideration you should have when using the tile in any high-temperature environment is to make sure that your adhesive and binding materials are similarly heat-resistant.
Can I use them in a bathroom? Are they water-proof? Can I use them outdoors?
Yep! Our tile are impervious to water and will not absorb moisture and chemicals. They can be used in bathrooms, pools, bird-baths, fountains and such things.
The main consideration you should have when using the tile underwater (or in any high-moisture environment) is to make sure that your adhesive and binding materials are water-proof. It is highly recommended that you use a Mosaic Sealer, as well.
Any suggestions on polishing my tile after the mosaic is completed?
After your mosaic is finished and your grout is dried, you can use mineral or olive oil to polish your tile. Using a soft cloth, sponge or chamois, apply a few drops of oil to the surface of your mosaic and rub it in. This should give you a nice, shiny wet look which will enhance the color of the tile and grout.
You may need to occasionally re-apply a coat of oil to restore this look.
Unglazed Ceramic Tiles (Cinca) - are ideal for beginners the are easy to cut and the back and front are flat. They are ideal for mosaic floors because of their non-slip properties.
Adhesives
There are several adhesives we recommend:
1. Weldbond: very strong, non-toxic and dries clear. It also can be used as a sealer for surfaces such as terra cotta or wood by diluting with 1 part weldbond to 5 parts water. This is one of our favorites for indoor use. Also Mac, and Tacky glue.
2. Thinset Mortar: very stong and waterproof. Sold in home improvement stores as a powder you just add water. Good for outdoor use.
3. Silicone caulk: Messy and toxic but dries clear and hold quickly and can be used indoor or out. (liquid nails, E6000, Lexel). I keep a baby wipe near by to help keep my hands clean.
4. Liquid Nails Clear - I love using this for my tempered glass stepping stones. I haven't tried Lexel but heard it great and a better choice for non-toxic adgents.
5. Construction Liquid Nails - Tan color good for indoor or outdoors.
6. Mac - glass on glass - drys faster then weldbond. I use mac if I'm glueing clear glass to clear glass. The price for mac glue is more expensive but a little will go a long way.
7. Epoxy - clear
Grout / Adhesive / Primer Questions
How much Grout/Adhesive/Primer should I use for my project?
Sanded Grout: one 1-pound bag will cover approximately 2.5 square-feet
Premixed Grout: one 8-ounce container will cover approximately 2 square feet
Adhesive: one 8-ounce bottle covers 4 square-feet
Primer: one 8-ounce bottle covers 16 square-feet (two coats)
What is a "Grout Line"?
A Grout Line is the empty space between the tiles. This is where you put your Mosaic Grout.
The width of your grout line may be a factor in deciding which grout you should use: Pre-Mixed or Sanded. Premixed grout should only be used if your grout lines are not wider than 1/2". So when planning your design keep in mind the lines between your terresa will also create movement.
What is the difference between Sanded and Premixed Grouts?
Sanded Grout
A mixture of Portland cement, sand and special additives providing a dense, acid and alkali-resistant grouting material. Colored Sanded Grouts also contain color-fast pigments.
Sanded Grout can be used in virtually any application, indoors and out, even when grouting on floors. Sanded Grout is porous cement, which means that it can absorb liquid materials after it has dried. This can be good and bad: you can stain your Sanded Grout after it has set with a colored grout stain, or it can be stained accidentally with spilled liquids - watch out for that red wine and grape juice!
Premixed (Unsanded) Latex Grout
Premixed Grout provides a smooth joint, without the graininess of Sanded Grout.
Premixed Grout is not recommended for use on floors. Our Premixed Grout can be used in mosaics in which the grout line is up to 1/2" in width. If you are using unglazed non-glass tile (such as ceramic or terra-cotta) you may want to use the Premixed Grout. These tiles are prone to absorbing the moisture from your grout mixture and may become discolored. Premixed Grout has less moisture than a Sanded Grout mixture. As Premixed Grout is a latex-based admixture, it is not as porous as Sanded Grout. This means that it is less likely to become stained and discolored, but it is more difficult to tint after your grout has dried and set.
Sanded Grout
Sanded Grout can sometimes crack if there is too much water in your mixture. As grout sets up and dries, the water in your mixture evaporates. If there is too much water in your mixture, the remaining grout will not be dense enough. This can lead to cracking, pin-holing or crumbly grout. When you mix your grout and water, the correct consistency should be a thick paste (like cream cheese) which will cling to your mixing/spreading tool; it should not drip or slide off.
Premixed (Unsanded) Latex Grout
The most common reason for cracking, pin-holing or slumping with Premixed Latex Grout is inappropriately large grout lines (see above). As Premixed Grout is latex-based, it will shrink when it dries. If the grout line is too wide (more than 1/2"), the grout will shrink to a size smaller than the width of the grout line. This results in cracking, pin-holing or slumping.
I've finished my mosaic, but I left the grout to dry for a few days before cleaning it! How can I clean off the remaining extra grout that is stuck to my tile? Ah, now that can be an ugly, messy problem! If you've tried scrubbing with a damp sponge or towel and you just can't remove all of the remaining bits of cement, try mixing up a solution of vinegar and water. After coating your mosaic with this solution and letting it sit for a few minutes, use a flat razor blade or spackling tool to scrape off as much of this leftover grout as you can.
Do I need to seal my mosaic once it is completed?
As grout is a porous material, it can become stained or discolored from food or liquid. A grout sealer is often used to protect the Mosaic Grout and the surfaces of porous tile (such as ceramic) from staining. It would be a good idea to seal the grout if your mosaic will be used as a counter or table top, especially if you are using one of the lighter colored grouts. If your mosaic will be in an area of heavy foot-traffic, a sealant might be a good idea as it will not only protect from discolorations, but will also make you’re cleaning and maintenance much easier. If you do apply a sealer, it is a good idea to wait for approximately one month before applying it to your finished piece. Your grout will have residual moisture for some time after application and it must be given time to wick through before you seal the surface. If not, your grout may become discolored and lose its integrity. And of course, make sure that the surface is clean and dry before you seal!
Miscellaneous Mosaic Questions
Can I mosaic on wood/glass/MDF/cardboard, etc?
Basically, you can mosaic on anything. The two main things consider when selecting a substrate is to make sure that it is solid enough to support the weight of your mosaic and to make sure that it is stable enough so that it will not change size and shape due to moisture and temperature changes.
Remember that an unprepared wood surface will often warp, expand and contract. This is the most common reason for the grout of a finished mosaic to crack. One way of minimizing this is to choose a thicker wood or to mount it in a frame or onto a backing material.
Cardboard would not be a very good idea.
Why does Flamingo (mosaic mercantile - pink tile) cost so much more than the other colors?
Flamingo is inherently more expensive than the others. That is because Flamingo tile are manufactured with gold as a colorant, following the traditional Italian glass-making technique.
I am retiling my «blank» which is lined with sheetrock, what do I use to seal the surface?
In the best case scenario, you would apply tile to Green Sheetrock, which is waterproofed for use in bathrooms. Better yet, you may be tiling on Hardibacker, Wonderboard or some other brand of concrete board which will not be affected by moisture. Applying mosaic directly to general sheetrock, which is made of gypsum and is highly absorbent, could well result in premature failure of the mosaic over time. You will want to seal the surface using our Mosaic Tile Primer. This will help prevent moisture from entering the sheetrock and weakening its structure.
What can I use for an outdoor table base that won't warp?
Hardibacker or Wonderboard is a great choice for this. They are construction-grade products that you can buy at most places like Lowe's or Home Depot.
How do you grout around Beach Glass?
Most of the time you won't. You can use a thick thinset base, into which you can press beach glass, just make sure that the mastic doesn't squeeze out around the edges of your Beach Glass.
Substrates;
MDF – Medium Density Fiberboard (indoor)
Particleboard (indoor)
Plywood (indoor)
Glass (indoor/outdoor)
Wedi (indoor/outdoor)
Hardibacker board (indoor)
Permabase – Cement backerboard (indoor/outdoor)
Ceramic (indoor/outdoor)
Metal (indoor/outdoor)
Adhesives/Grout/Sealant;
*Weldbond (indoor)*Weldbond is also great as a sealer and grout strengthener
Thinset (indoor/outdoor)
Mortar (indoor/outdoor)
Cement (indoor/outdoor)
Grout (sanded and unsanded–variety of colors-indoor/outdoor)
Wallpaper paste (indoor)
Epoxy Resin (indoor/outdoor)
Penetrating Grout Sealer by Tile Lab
Silicon
Types of Tile;
Vitreous glass
Glazed ceramic(indoor/outdoor) Only frostproof ceramic tiles should be
used outdoors
Unglazed porcelain
River rocks and other collected objects (buttons, shells, broken
plates….)
Smalti
Glass gems
Mirror
Other needed/recommended items;
Tile cutter
Mosaic nippers
Bucket
Plastic container
Grout spreader/trowel
Sponge
Masking tape
Popsicle sticks/spoon for mixing grout
Tweezers
Apron
Safety Glasses
Rubber Gloves
Filter mask
Sandpaper
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