Has anyone does mosaic tiling themselves?

Question

I would like to replace the bathroom suite and do mosaic tiling. Is it difficult to do yourselve.

Should I put the bathroom in first then do it.

Is it expensive, where can I go and buy these at a good price and variety?

What are the different types of mosaic I can use?

Answer 1

Mosaics are the most difficult tiles to set properly. If you don't have experience tiling then you're headed for trouble. Visit your local ceramic tile retailer(yellow pages) for info.

Answer 2

I wanted to do mosaic tile in my bathroom too, but opted for 12x12 tiles after I considered a few things:
1) Cutting the tiles would be an absolute nightmare. I was talking to a contractor who was giving me a bid on a different job and she warned my how difficult mosaics are to work with.
2) The price is SO much more that other tiles. It would have cost me at least 4 times as much to do mosaics.
If you decide to do it, do a lot of reading on techniques and make sure that you're comfortable with it because it's a lot of money to spend and you'll want it to turn out right.

Answer 3

The main thing to take into account with mosaics is use less adhesive on the wall than with larger tiles. Use a spreader with smaller notches, this helps to stop it oozing between the tiles. Most mosaics now come in one foot square sheetsa which makes the job easier. I have found that a plasterer's wood float is useful for pressing the mosaics into the adhesive. Before or after fitting the bathroom is a matter of choice but I always try to tile first as long as the pipes are all in place.

Answer 4

I have done much tiling over the years and always made a reasonable job of it, including three whole bathrooms.

This year I used mosaic tiles. Disaster!! The cement comes from between each tiny mosaic and, no matter how often you wipe them, there is more cement. It was a total nightmare, and I only did around the basin in a cloakroom. Once it had dried it took for ever to remove all the dried cement. I resorted to an electric drill with wire brush attachment, but it's still not entirely right, and never will be!

Unlesss you get better advice from a more competent tiler, as a DiYer my advice to you is an emphatic - DON'T.

Answer 5

yes it is difficult to get it to look good. One trick is to use the same colour wall/floor adhesive as the grout. That way when you push the tiles down into the adhesive you don't have to worry so much about the adhesive coming through all of the gaps. If the adhesive is a different colour it will push through the gaps & you will spend forever trying to clean up the gaps before grouting.

I would also advise reading a diy manual about tiling if you've never tiled before. Its not rocket science but there are a few things to consider before you start tiling.

Mosaics are certainly the most difficult tiles I have used to date!
Good luck

Answer 6

hi,, most tile stores carry a line if glass tiles of all colors. they are all the same.. i like to use beach and river glass that i find.. also i make my own by breaking nice glass i choose, and either put it in a tumbler or sanding the edges a bit and set them in. the coolest effects happen with your own glass Mosaic pieces.. goood luck

Answer 7

put the bathroom in first. work from the middle outwards. its very time consuming but well worth it. check your local paper for cheap tile suppliers. they may give discount for large orders. you can get stone type, metallic, plain, high gloss in all different colours. if its first attempt i would stick to one colour scheme

Answer 8

its pretty easy lil messy but do the floor first then set toilet sink etc this way everything sits proper start at one corner so you don't trap yourself and if this is your first time use bigger pieces thats all i would just buy 4 different colors

to many to busy

have fun