Which mosaics can I use in my shower?
Mosaics, come in many different materials, shapes, colours and textures. The most well known are River Glass which are mostly used by hobyists and the like to create composite images. Also well known are the ceramic pool mosaics. The most significant factor that has changed is the material from which mosaics are made. It used to be only glass or ceramic, but now there are mosaics made from natural stone such as marble, dolomite, travertine, sandstone, pebbles (large and small) and slate, stainless steel, aluminium, various thiknesses in glass (4-, 6- & 8 mm). The average size of a mosaic is about 300 x 300 mm. The reason is that it is easy to pack into a box and transport. So mosaics these days will constitute a number of shaped items packed together on a fibre glass matt to form a square, then call it a mosaic. It is up to you to place it one some way in your house to create the final touch. One important point to remember, never use a mosaic with aluminium backing in a shower, they tend to come loose after a couple of years and it looks terrible.
Where to use mosaics
The most common areas are in the bathroom and as splashbacks in kitchens. The application options are endless. Currently it is fashion to install a solid ‘pillar’ 300 mm wide behind the shower mixer and head. It creates a focus point in the bathroom without dominating the whole area. By using the right colour combination you still have the freedom to add other bathroom accessories without it clashing with the mosaic colour combinations.
As we have mentioned before, mosaics come in different materials. Selecting the right material is important. For instance natural stone products must be sealed after installation, and some need to be sealed again after a couple of years. If this puts you off, then do not install any natural stone mosaic. Rather use materials that do not need sealing such as glass and glazed ceramics or porcelain.
After selecting the mosaic or tiles for your shower there is one more extremely important thing to remember. Always mix the tile adhesive and grout with bonding liqiud. If someone else is doing the installation, insist on the right adhesive, i.e. mosaic fix and ensure that the adhesive is not mixed with water but bonding liquid, the same applies with the grout. The bonding liquid will ensure proper waterproofing and will reduce algae growth. Even if there is some algae later on it will be easier to remove.