Porcelain stoneware mosaic in the interior

Porcelain stoneware mosaic is a very popular material for interior decoration. It is used in various types of premises and always brings originality and beauty to the setting. Modern hardware stores offer many varieties of tiles from this material. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself in advance with all the features of porcelain stoneware and the nuances of its use.

Among all the characteristics of porcelain stoneware mosaic, you can find both positive and negative qualities of the material.

Let's highlight the main advantages of porcelain stoneware products.

• Environmental friendliness. Natural material is not harmful to health. It does not contain harmful components and is completely safe for use.
• Resistant to moisture. Such coatings do not absorb liquid and do not deteriorate in contact with water.
• Mosaic porcelain stoneware has increased durability. The material is resistant to mechanical stress.
• Mosaic tiles can withstand temperature changes. Under various climatic changes, the tiles do not lose their presentable appearance.

• Mosaic often helps in zoning rooms. Thanks to this technique, specific areas of the room are highlighted.
• The porcelain stoneware mosaic flooring helps to create an exclusive design. With the help of such a tile, drawings are laid out on the surfaces according to individual projects.
• The material is suitable for surfaces of various shapes. With the help of such a coating, it is possible to form not only a flat plane, but also convex-concave surfaces.
• Such a tile is capable of masking all sorts of errors in the base. Small details located close to each other perfectly hide flaws, and with the help of the play of colors, you can hide flaws on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.

• A wide selection of abrasion indicators. The range of tiles is suitable for both walls and floors. As a floor covering, which often has a high permeability, a material with indicators from 2 to 5 is used. For walls, you can choose a material that is slightly less prone to abrasion.
• The coating is not slippery. Despite the fact that most models of mosaic porcelain stoneware are produced in a glossy variation, such material does not slip due to the presence of seams often located between the mosaic details. The grout filling them improves adhesion to the surface.

• The material is somewhat versatile. It is suitable for finishing both residential and public buildings, which include swimming pools, monuments, metro stations and public places with a large number of people.

In addition to its positive qualities, porcelain stoneware also has several negative characteristics.

• First of all, users focus on the complexity of styling. Such a coating usually takes a very long time to apply, especially if users are inexperienced in applying such a veneer. Accordingly, there is a need for additional costs for the services of professional tilers.
• Some items are priced very high compared to other types of materials. But remember that even the high cost of mosaics from some companies is justified by the high quality and numerous other advantages of the material.

In order not to get lost in the variety of porcelain stoneware products, it is necessary to familiarize yourself in advance with the various methods of classifying such products.

The first feature relates to surface texture. There are the following types of texture:

• Glazed models have a glossy texture and are great for wet areas such as bathrooms and swimming pools.
• In other rooms, unglazed mosaics are used, which add extra comfort to the rooms.
• Satin-finished mosaic does not have a pronounced sheen in its texture, but such a coating is practically free from slipperiness.

• Structured mosaic is used as an exclusive covering. It is usually a combination of several textures. Such products include vintage varieties of mosaics, on the surface of which cracks, chips and other traces of mechanical stress are specially made.
• To create the effect of a volumetric coating, designers use an embossed variety of porcelain stoneware tiles. Such an unusual appearance is able to optically change the area of ​​the room.

An important feature of product classification is the design feature of each product.

• Mosaic-like ceramic products, the way of installation of which is similar to the laying of ordinary tiled models. This material is only suitable for finishing flat surfaces.
• Sometimes a mesh is used as a fastening for mosaic elements, which is a special frame made of paper or other materials. It is on it that each square of the tile is fixed, and all elements due to the grid represent one whole.
• To create especially complex compositions, panel elements are laid out individually. Such work is more laborious, but with the use of such technology, real masterpieces can be obtained.

When dividing porcelain stoneware mosaics into varieties, it is worth considering such a criterion as material.

Various components are used as raw materials.

• Plastic - one of the newest types of tiles. Often, elements from such recycled materials act as an important and original component of mosaic designs.
• Glassthermally processed, it is very popular for creating unusual coatings. In addition, such material is very resistant to various kinds of influences, including various chemicals and alkalis.
• A natural stone looks very stylish and soundly. In addition, it is very durable, and as a result of this, such cladding can often be seen as floor coverings.

• In rooms with low humidity levels, mosaic structures can be inserted metal plots... Such elements often play an accent role.
• Ceramics - a very interesting type of material, which is presented in various variations as a component of a mosaic panel. In addition, such material can be purchased at a reasonable price.

According to the peculiarities of color design, there are several types of porcelain stoneware mosaics.

• Monochrome - glazed products, each element of which is uniformly colored in one color.
• Patterned surfaces suggest the presence of a special pattern on each part, but they look most advantageous in combination with monochromatic models.

• For matte mosaics, gradient coloring is common, which is a smooth transition from one tone to another. This design can be embodied in various combinations of shades.
• Porcelain stoneware mosaic products can imitate natural materials such as stone or wood.The surface of the tile looks very unusual and is suitable for many styles in which the emphasis is on the use of natural materials.

The process of self-cladding is not as complicated as it might seem at first glance.

To implement it, you need to stock up on the required amount of tools and materials.

• Spatulas of three types: notched, rubber and smooth;

• Grout. This component is selected based on the color of the coating. Some people prefer to design the seams in contrast to the tone of the mosaic, but in most cases a similar color is used. The material for grouting should be based on epoxy resins, because a standard cement substance contains sand in its composition that can damage the material;

An important procedure is the preparation of the substrate for the mosaic coating. The whole point of surface treatment is aimed at increasing the subsequent adhesion of porcelain stoneware to the substrate.

It is important not to overdo it, because if the surface is too smooth, the level of adhesion will decrease. It is best to sandblast the base. Make sure that there are no traces of grease, rust or other dirt on the walls or floor, as these can significantly impair the function of the adhesive. After that, it is necessary to thoroughly prime the surface.

If you are installing ready-made modules, then you need to mark the base.

• Next, you need to prepare the glue, relying on the instructions, which, as a rule, are found on the packaging of the composition. It is best to prepare the solution in parts, because it hardens quickly enough.
• Using a smooth trowel, the adhesive is applied to the surface. Do not cover a large area with them at once, the maximum allowable is 9 sheets.
• The glue is then leveled with a notched trowel.
• The porcelain stoneware element is pressed against the adhesive and must also be smoothed using a rubber trowel. If you are using a product with a mesh base, the mesh should dip slightly into the adhesive.

• Pay attention to the width of the seams. If you are using modular masonry, then all seams must be of the same thickness. But if you carry out the cladding, applying each element separately, then a difference in the thickness of the joints is permissible according to the peculiarities of the pattern.
• After three days, remove excess glue with a cotton swab soaked in ethyl alcohol.
• After that, grouting is carried out, during which a fugue is applied using a rubber spatula, the excess is immediately removed using a rag soaked in water. After the grout has completely hardened, wipe the mosaic with a dry cloth.

• A special kind of art that is used for interior decoration is the creation of a pattern on the surface of porcelain stoneware tiles. By alternating in a special way, the components of the mosaic can create a whole panel.
• In some interior styles, a combination of matte and glossy elements is permissible when creating a mosaic flooring.
• With the help of mosaic porcelain stoneware, you can effectively design an element such as an apron in the kitchen.

See below for mosaics in interior design.