The mosaic is an unique element that can bring out all the personality of your decoration. If you are considering one for your own house, there are several steps that you should follow. Today we will show you our guide to installing glass mosaic in any room of your residence.
Material you will need
These are the instruments that you will need when you start installing the glass mosaic in your place.
- Glass mosaic
- Special adhesive for installing the mosaic
- Slurry device
- Toothed trowel (you should contact an expert to let you know what type of trowel is best for this project)
- Pencil
- Laser level
- Sponge
- Water bucket
- Grout sealer
Installing glass mosaic: before the start
Now that all the materials are prepared, it is time to know how to properly install a glass mosaic and which ones are the steps you should follow in order to success. In no time, you will be able to appreciate the elegance that a glass mosaic brings to any room.
However, before we start, there are some previous steps to make sure the surface and the space are ready for the installation.
Examine the surface
It is important to know, before the work is started, to verify the conditions of the surface where you will place the mosaic. This will avoid damp walls or floors and will assure an appropriated installation.
Then, you take into consideration whether the surface is strong enough, if it has cracks or fissures or if there is mould.
Being preventive will always be better than repairing it every once in a while.
Have the mosaic already prepared
One of the main parts of installing a glass mosaic is to have already prepared the design somewhere else. Having it already organised and distributed somewhere close to you will help you to place the mosaic correctly during the installation.
Preparing the surface
We recommend you placing a base made of cement or plaster to help make the placement for the mosaic stronger and more resistant. It will also prevent mould and damp walls from appearing. This way, it will be easier to install the mosaic evenly.
Making the mixture to attach the mosaic
Once the surface is ready, the next step is to make the mixture of cement that we will use for installing the glass mosaic. Take into account how much water you are using and how thick it is. These two aspects are determining how the mosaic will adhere to the wall or floor later during the installation.
Draw lines to guide you through the process
Before installing the mosaic, we recommend you drawing subtle lines with a pencil to guide you when you are installing them. In order to achieve the best result, you can do it with the help of a laser level.
In this way, we will make sure that we are placing them correctly and that they are in a straight line.
How to install a glass mosaic: to place the mosaics
Now that everything has been prepared and that the right materials are at hand, it is time to start installing the glass mosaic.
1. Spread the adhesive through the surface
The first step is to spread the mixture we had previously prepared over the surface where we want to place the glass mosaic. For this use your spatula to spread a thin layer and then with the trowel draw straight and perpendicular lines.
2. Place the mosaics on the surface
Once the mixture is already spread, then start placing firmly the mosaic on the wall or floor. Do not press to hard. Start from one corner and then keep adding more. This way you will avoid irregularities of having to cut too many pieces in order for them to fit.
After this, place the dividers between the mosaics and once you have finished installing all the mosaics, take them away.
3. Let it dry
Before moving on to the next step, you should let them dry correctly. This can take about 24 hours.
4. Grouting the mosaics
Once it is dry, we will grout the tiles to protect them and seal them to the surface. Depending on the space between them, you will have to use grout with or without sand.
Spread it over a small part that allows you to finish the work before it dries. After this, let it harden and remove the excess with a wet sponge.
When the drying is finished (about 24 hours) then seal the area with a sealer to avoid possible moulds.
With this last step we will have finished installing the glass mosaic in our home correctly. This process can be complicated, so if you do not have the appropriate experience on it, we recommend you leaving it on the hands of a specialist.
Counting on an expert will help you to install the mosaic glass correctly and prevent you from possible reparations.
Where can you find inspiration to choose the right glass mosaic?
Before installing the glass mosaic, we want to help you to get inspired. You will find in L’Antic Colonial original and unique ideas to decorate your home next to a wide variety of glass mosaics.
Glass mosaics can be installed in the kitchen or in the bathroom. However, they can also help you to potentiate the atmosphere of other places in the house like the living room or your bedroom.
We encourage decoration lovers and professionals to take a look at the different proposals of our catalogue to create new and beautiful spaces with that extra touch that characterises L’Antic Colonial.
