Is creating a vibrant and inviting atmosphere your goal? If so, then you can opt for mosaic flooring. Yeah, stunning mosaic flooring would be the perfect choice to commemorate your nostalgic memories and create good vibes for the future generation. It’s a better option for both present and future generations as mosaic flooring is durable and never goes out of style.
So, no more second choices. Go with the sturdy choice that resists scratches and shines brighter over time. Read about this timeless flooring choice, mosaic in this blog and know why it is never out of the trend.
Mosaic Floors
Mosaic flooring is the decorative type that consists of small pieces of tiles, normally arranged in somewhat intricate designs and patterns. It is generally made out of materials such as glass, stone, ceramic, or metal. The pieces used are usually less than 2 inches in size; each piece is known as a tessera, which creates complex and colourful options in flooring. Mosaic floors are generally used because they are both beauty, durable, and easy to maintain.
What is Mosaic Flooring?
To achieve a mosaic floor means that some elements in the form of small pieces of tile, glass or stone are arranged on the floor in a pattern or image. In this case, they will be embedded in a plane and filled up between them by grout for a complete design. Mosaics have been used in the decoration of houses and public buildings, historically, from periods of ancient Rome and Greece. Mosaic design and requirements have been around ever since. For certain, this is a new strain of beauty in 21 century homes, but it is also liked for practicality. Generally, mosaic tiles come in thicknesses of 2 to 3 mm thick and are available in various sizes and shades. Since floor coverings undergo a lot of use, wear or tear, Boral mosaics can be used extensively in areas that are prone to heavy traffic.
Probably the most important metric to consider in mosaic flooring: its PEI rating refers to the Porcelain Enamel Institute. Essentially, this rating indicates the durability of the tile. Most mosaic tiles bear a PEI rating of 3 or higher and are well-suited for residential and light commercial spaces.
Types of Mosaic Tiles
Mosaics are generally made of different materials with distinctive features:
Natural stone
Natural stone mosaic tiles are constructed of materials such as marble, granite, slate, or travertine. These materials are then processed to create small uniform pieces which are polished to give it a great finish. Stone tiles are thick and resistant to wear and tear, and most often their hardness is within the range of 7 to 8 in the Moh’s scale of hardness. This is why they can be comfortably placed outside, in kitchens, and bathrooms.
Mosaic Tile in Metal
Metal mosaic tiles are made of different metals such as stainless steel, aluminium or copper. They find a very wide application in modern designs due to their sleek look. Areas with stainless steel tiles can be said to have low moisture levels due to their corrosion resistance and thus have their application in kitchens and bathrooms effectively. The weight of these tiles is also less, which makes installation easier.
Glass Mosaic Tile
Glass mosaic tiles reflect light through them and make the room brighter and appear larger. Many are familiar with those used in swimming pools, obviously very resistant to the water almost always present. Glass tiles are rated about their water absorption, and at less than 0.5%, they are great for wet areas. They are available at variable thicknesses like 4mm and 8mm.
Ceramic & Porcelain Mosaic Tile
The primary materials that are used for making mosaic floors apart from ceramics are also ceramic and porcelain tiles. For instance, porcelain is considered to be highly moisture resistant, with a water absorption of less than 0.5%. Such tiles are also known to be clay-based tiles that are baked at high heat, rating about 5 to 6 on the Moh’s scale.
Chevron Mosaic Tile
Chevron tiles are in the zigzag pattern; this pattern is repeated for kitchens and hallways because of their visually striking impact. Chevron tiles may be ceramic or stone, and because of that design, this can create an illusion of movement. This pattern can sometimes make small spaces appear larger.
Marble Mosaic Tile
Marble is a natural stone that is greatly loved for its beauty. Mosaic marble tiles are thick and heavy, weighing in the range of 30 to 50 pounds per square foot, thus very durable. Although it is durable, it is a more delicate stone, with a softness grade of 3 to 4 on the Mohs scale, so sealing and care must be performed with caution to avoid scratching it.
Penny Hexagonal Tile
Penny tiles are small, rounded mosaic tiles installed either in the bathroom or kitchen areas. They give quite a retro look because of their small dimension, measuring ¾-inch to 1-inch in diameter. They come in different types of materials, including ceramic, porcelain, and glass.
Mosaic Tile Applications
Mosaic tiles have a wide range of applications due to their flexible design and durability.
- Bathrooms: Most bathrooms have mosaic tile applications on the floor and walls. Among such applications, glass and ceramic tiles are put into use because they are excellent against water and stains.
- Kitchens: Mosaic tile installation can be very common in kitchens, as it tends to be easy to clean and resistant to heat, most especially around the cooking area. Metal or glass mosaic tiles can even add a modern touch to kitchen decoration.
- Swimming Pools: Glass mosaic tiles are ideal for linings over pools because they are waterproof and can reflect light, which may make the pool more colourful.
- Living Spaces: Stone and ceramic mosaic tiles installed in living rooms created a more creative-looking floor or wall feature that would add texture and colour to the room.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Mosaic Tile
Advantages
- Durability: Most mosaic tiles, especially those of stone and porcelain materials, are very long-lasting. Some may even be able to last for more than 50 years provided proper maintenance is followed.
- Water Resistance: Tiling made out of glass, ceramic, and porcelain has low water absorption rates. This makes them highly effective for places with wet surroundings and areas such as bathrooms and swimming pools.
- Aesthetic Appeal: Mosaic tiles have the freedom to customize, which allows any homeowner to create original designs and colours that speak to their taste.
- Easy maintenance: Most mosaic tiles, especially glass and ceramic ones, are easy to clean. A damp piece of cloth or mop can deal with most dirt and stains.
Disadvantages
- Price: Mosaic tiles could account for a price higher compared to larger ones. The cost varies from ₹50 to ₹500 per square foot, depending on the pattern and material.
- Installation Time: Because tiles are small, this can take longer to install, which could increase the cost of labour.
- Care and Maintenance of Grout: With grouts, mosaic flooring has more grout lines that tend to collect dirt much faster than with regular tiles, and they may require frequent cleaning.
Mosaic Tile Ideas for Around the House
- Bath Mosaic tiles used in the shower are truly a touch of luxury. Glass mosaic tiles are in great demand because they are made from a low 0.5% water absorption rate material, hence ideal for areas that are always wet.
- Kitchen Mosaic tiles can be used as backsplashes in kitchens. Because of its ease of cleaning and resistance to heat, the preferred materials used in this application are tile metals or glasses.
- The Floor-to-Wall – This would provide a continuous look when the mosaic tiles are extended from the floor onto the wall. This is often done in bathrooms and kitchens to give the impression of cohesion.
- Laying and Maintenance of Mosaic Flooring – Installation of mosaic tile requires a level surface and true alignment. Generally, tiles are set in thin-set mortar and grouted to fill the seams. The average tile size is about 2 inches or 5 cm per piece, and more grout lines are visible, as opposed to larger-format tiles. Professional installers are often required for greater accuracy.
- Maintenance – Wet mopping or a moist cloth would be good for maintenance. Sealing the grout lines once every six months will also be good so that the accumulation of dirt will not occur. Grout sealer helps in maintaining the appearance and durability of mosaic floors.
Conclusion
Mosaic flooring is versatile and strong enough to be best suited for most areas of the house. From materials of glass, ceramic, and stone, mosaic tiles offer flexibility in design, proving long-lasting and practical. Mosaic tiles in bathrooms, kitchens, and swimming pools add to both their aesthetic appeal and functionality. The installation and maintenance might need more effort, but it’s all worth it through the unique and personalised touch they provide to a room.