Posted on Date 20th Dec 2023
How to fit mosaic tiles
While mosaic tiles can be tricky to fit, the look they create on your floors and walls in your home when finished is well worth the effort.
Above a sink, behind a hob or around your fireplace, mosaic tiles have a unique ability to transform the look and feel of a room. The good news is all mosaic tiles from Tile Warehouse come ready supplied as sheets fixed to a soft mesh backing.
Read on for easy-to-follow advice on the best way to fit mosaic tiles in your home.
Split Face Black Tiles 15x30cm
How to prepare a wall for mosaic tiles
The first step with any form of tiling is prepping the surface. If the surface isnt level, your tiles are never going to look as good as they should. Use a spirit level to check that your surface isnt level.
If it isnt then we would recommend a levelling product. Dont forget to always consult the manufacturers instructions in terms of ratios of powder to cold, clean water when mixing your levelling compound as excess water will affect drying times.
Once mixed, apply your levelling product with the smooth edge of a notched trowel and if you have a spiked roller use that to release any air bubbles as these could ruin the finish of the leveller.
How to fit mosaic tiles to your wall
Mosaic tiles are held together with the help of a mesh backing. Make sure you trim the edges of this backing before applying them to your adhesive.
One of the downsides of mosaic tiles is that it can be tricky to apply even pressure across the whole sheet when fitting. This can lead to some tiles sinking into the adhesive too deeply creating an uneven surface. We would recommend tapping the tiles with a rubber mallet to help ensure everything is level.
You may also notice adhesive lumps protruding through the grout spaces as the adhesive starts to harden. Dont panic. If that does happen go over the gaps with an old toothbrush to remove any excess adhesive before wiping clean.
How to grout mosaic tiles
Once your tiles have fully set, its time to grout. Just like your levelling compound and adhesive, always remember to follow the manufacturers instructions.
Try and go easy when applying the grout. With potentially hundreds of lines to be cleaned, its worth taking your time. As soon as your grout is mixed and ready, use your grout float to force the grout into the joints properly. Make sure all the joints are properly filled.
Once you are happy, pop the kettle on for a cup of tea, and put your feet up for at approximately 15 minutes to allow the grout to become touch dry. We would always recommend checking the manufactures guidelines for drying times and drying temperatures.
When touch dry its then just a case of using a damp sponge (not wet) to clean away an excess grout from your tiles. Make sure to rinse your sponge regularly with clean water and avoid applying too much pressure when cleaning. Allow at least an hour after cleaning for the grout to set sufficiently before polishing the surface with a dry clean cloth.
If after cleaning, there is a haze (sometimes known as grout residue) over the tiles then try using a product such as Fila Deterdek Pro to help remove any residue.
How to keep mosaic tiles clean
Dont forget that mosaic tiles, like all tiles are highly resilient, but will need a bit of TLC every now and then. So, clean them regularly with a soft cloth and warm water. And thats it. All thats left to do now is to sit back and enjoy your handiwork!
Watch our video
Tile Warehouse has teamed up with YouTuber Proper DIY to show you the best way to fit tiles in your home, incuding a number of handy tips and techniques to make tiling easier for you.
Need more information?
If you have any questions regarding mosaic tiles, then feel free to contact our Customer Services team using our web chat facility.
Further reading
If you would like to find out more about fitting mosaic tiles in your home, then why not check out these related advice articles: