How to glue mosaic tiles correctly, the choice of method and the best compositions
People often wonder how to glue mosaic tiles correctly. To achieve this, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations for the installation of this coating. The choice of adhesive is not negligible. Today there are many options for these substances on sale - cement, dispersion, reagent. Thanks to their use, it is possible to achieve excellent results.
What is mosaic tiles
Mosaic tiles include a variety of pieces attached to a mesh or paper. Most often, the elements have a square shape. But sometimes there are round or triangular elements. Considering the material, the following types of tiles are distinguished:
- Ceramics - all details are made according to tile production technology. It is used for wall decoration.
- Stone - includes components of marble or tuff. There are also travertine options. Natural stone is suitable for flooring.
- Smalt - in opaque glass.During manufacture, various elements are added to the material, which makes it possible to obtain unique shades.
- Iron is a rare variety that is rarely used for decoration. This material is brass or steel.
- Wooden - hardwood. Coconut or bamboo are also used for its production.
Which glue is right
There are several types of adhesives that can be used for attachment.
Cement
These adhesives are sold in bags weighing from 20 to 30 kilograms. They differ in affordable cost and have a white or gray tint. The basis of the substance is considered sand, cement, gypsum. The composition contains fillers, plasticizers, alabaster.
It is recommended to mix the dry powder with water before fixing. Also, milk of lime or latex in liquid form are used as additives. It is recommended to use only pure water. Otherwise, the composition may acquire a dark shade.
It is best to use cementitious glue for concrete or masonry. It does not bond metal and glass well and also wets drywall structures.
Dispersive
This type of glue is sold in cans and includes minerals, water, acrylics. The composition will cost more than cement, but it is more convenient to use. The paste is easy to apply. It freezes for half an hour. During this time, it is possible to adjust the location of the tiles. The remaining mixture can be stored for a long time in a sealed package. The dispersive substance is allowed to be used for fixing stone, tiles, majolica.
Bi-component or reactive
Such formulations include an epoxy resin and a hardener. They are also made from polyurethane.The combination of the components allows a high resistance of the substance.
A two-component adhesive is used to fix the mosaic to a smooth surface. With its help, tiles can be fixed on plastic, glass, marble or metal. The only downside is the high price.
Review of the best brands
Today there are many products on sale that are very effective and provide reliable fixation.
Ceresit CM 115
This tile adhesive is available as a white substance that can be used for exterior and interior use. It is used to fix various types of tiles, glass and other materials. The composition is used for concrete and cement. It is characterized by resistance to moisture and frost. The product is absolutely safe.
Mosaic of Bergauf
Glue is sold in bags weighing 5 kilograms. It is a white cementitious substance. It contains minerals, polymers, sand and modifiers. The product is frost resistant and has high adhesive power.
Axton Mosaic Adhesive
This substance is suitable for glass. It also perfectly fixes stone and ceramics. Often the composition is used for finishing pools.
Eunice 2000
This glue can be used for ceramics and glass. It is characterized by good leveling ability. The tool is used for interior and exterior work. It is characterized by high adhesion to all materials.
Litocol Litoplus K55
This Italian adhesive is suitable for fixing transparent and colored mosaics. It helps to anchor the natural stone. The tool can be used in different temperature conditions - from -25 to +60 degrees.
Lacrysil
This single-component formulation is sold ready to use. It can be used for different types of mosaics. The product is not afraid of water and dynamic load.It is allowed to put it on the wall, on the ceiling, on the floor.
How to glue correctly
To achieve reliable fixation of the composition, it is necessary to take into account many features and strictly follow the technology.
Base preparation
First of all, it is recommended to prepare the base. It depends on what material the base is made of.
Tile
Mosaic tiles need a perfectly flat base. Therefore, it is recommended to level the surface of the walls with plaster. The prepared surface must be coated with a primer and the wall covering must be checked. This is done with a level.
TREE
Tiles can be laid on parquet in different ways. First of all, it is recommended to reinforce the base well in order to avoid vibration during loading. The next step is to apply a primer and an elastic compound for self-leveling.
drywall
The tile adheres perfectly to plasterboard structures. However, they must be prepared in advance. First of all, it is recommended to treat the joints with a putty. This will help make the coating more even. After that, it is worth covering the surface with a primer and laying the guides.
markup
It is recommended to cover the prepared surface with marks. This will help get a clean adhesion of the mosaic sheet. It is recommended to first lay out the tiles on the floor. Then it is worth taking measurements and transferring the scheme to the wall.
Proper markings will help hide cut areas.
How to prepare an adhesive
In order to achieve reliable fastening, it is recommended to strictly adhere to the proportions and manufacturing technology of the mortar.To do this, pour the building compound into a clean, dry container, add the required amount of water and mix with a mixer. The result should be an even texture. The finished product is left for a few minutes and then mixed again.
Applying glue
To glue the tiles, the adhesive solution must be applied evenly to the wall. It is recommended to do this with a notched trowel. A suitable thickness is 2-3 millimeters. With more product there is a risk of filling in the seams. This will make grouting difficult.
Installation rules and principles
For successful laying of mosaic tiles, it is recommended to follow a number of rules.
On the floor
To glue the material to the ground, do the following:
- make markup;
- prepare epoxy glue;
- cover the surface and level with a notched trowel;
- put the first sheet and press with a rubber cord;
- put the next sheet in the same way;
- assess the placement of tiles across the level;
- fix the tiles according to the markings, in time removing excess composition from the seams;
- let the glue dry after completing the work;
- prepare the composition for grouting;
- distribute the composition on the surface of the tiles, filling the joints;
- finish grouting and wash off the floor from the rest of the composition.
On the walls
To stick the mosaic on the wall, it is recommended to proceed as follows:
- dilute the glue according to the instructions;
- apply the composition to the wall with an ordinary smooth spatula - it is recommended to fill the space for 3-4 tiles;
- go over the plaster with a notched trowel to form furrows;
- glue the first sheet of tiles and gently press down with a rubber cord;
- glue the second sheet and separate it with special crosses;
- attach the remaining sheets;
- remove excess glue from the seams;
- cut the tiles if necessary;
- wipe the surface with a towel to remove glue residue;
- prepare a trowel;
- apply it to the tile and level it on the surface - it is recommended to do this with a rubber spatula;
- when the composition is dry, remove excess substance with a damp cloth.
Rounded surfaces and corners
The mosaic has a unique design. Therefore, it is possible to place it on curved surfaces. This process has some peculiarities.
If there is noticeable external flexing of the surface, tiling is possible, but the result is a ribbed structure. With a pronounced curvature inside, the distance between the tiles changes. Therefore, when developing the shape of walls or other structures on your own, it is not recommended to allow sudden changes.
Laying tiles in corners is no different from laying tiles. For this, it is recommended to split the tiles along the joint. If the seam does not match the corner, you will need to cut the tiles.
Grouting and finishing
This procedure is carried out one day after styling. To do this, you need to use a rubber float. It is used to rub the compound into the seams. Excess material is removed with a damp cloth.
Additional tips and tricks
To achieve good results in laying the material, you must follow these rules:
- when choosing an adhesive, it is worth considering the type of base - for example, glass tile adhesive is suitable for glass;
- assess the consistency of the glue;
- prepare the composition in small volumes;
- avoid glue leakage beyond seam boundaries.
Examples of ready-made solutions
To achieve a good result, you can use ready-made solutions:
- for the decoration of the bathroom, you can use red smalt tiles;
- the combination of different mosaics looks interesting;
- ceramic mosaics with large elements are suitable for finishing the bathroom;
- an interesting solution would be to use a mosaic for a kitchen apron.
Mosaic tiles are a popular type of flooring that helps embody the wildest design fantasies. To achieve reliable fixation of the material, it is worth choosing the right glue.