Glass mosaic in interior design

For a long time, people have tried to decorate their homes. Natural materials and improvised means were used. In the era of the Ancient East, there was a tradition of revealing buildings with mosaics. Experts laid out whole pictures from tiny pieces; only wealthy people could afford such masterpieces. In today's building materials market, there is an impressive selection of mosaic tiles. Among them, glass mosaic stands out favorably, which is not inferior to stone in strength, and has no equal in brilliance and transparency.

Glass mosaic is a decoration material made mainly of Venetian glass. For this, fine white sand is processed into a liquid mass and poured into molds. Next, the glass is fired, after which the details are decorated using natural dyes.

Modern glass processing technologies enhance all the advantages of this material, which include:

• durability;
• strength;
• wear resistance;
• waterproofness;
• environmental friendliness;

• hygiene;
• lightfastness;
• resistance to aggressive environmental influences;
• heat resistance;
• shine;
• the flexibility of the matrix on which the elements are applied;
• endless design possibilities.

Glass mosaics are produced in various variations.

This variety is used in expensive interiors, since the creation of a picture from small details is expensive. However, it is worth it: special programs can calculate the scheme of any image (up to photographs). The result is the most realistic picture created from high-quality material.

Mosaic carpets (nets) are more in demand among consumers. They are more accessible, much more convenient to install: the chip elements are fixed on a paper or polymer base, and then they are attached to the wall with a continuous sheet.

There are several options for this finish.

• Monochrome canvas (all chips are the same size and color).
• A gradient is a combination of shades of the same color (from darkest to lightest). The option, where the lightest tone is under the ceiling, pulls the room up.
• Mix - mixing of several colors or similar shades. Such options are often found on aprons in the kitchen, bathroom decor (along with ceramic tiles). To add variety to the interior, a combination of three shades is enough.
• Panel (glass mosaic elements create a full-fledged image, which is combined with a single-color cladding).

The next parameter by which glass mosaics are classified is shape.

• classic square;
• rectangular;
• drop-shaped;
• round;
• oval;
• multifaceted;
• under pebbles, stone;
• complex shape.

The above options can be flat and three-dimensional. Also, mosaic can be smooth and structural, imitating various patterns (for example, wood, stone, leather).

There are two types of decorative effects.

• Homogeneous: can be glossy, shiny and matte, like a wave-cut bottle glass.
• Smalt: made of artificial material made of colored glass with the addition of potassium salts.

Unlike ordinary glass, smalt has increased strength and a special internal glow. This mosaic is unique because all the cubes are different in color. The cost of such a material is higher than the usual mosaic: the production technology includes a long cycle, therefore the technical characteristics are higher.

By the type of additives, glass mosaics are different.

• Aventurine gives the chips a fabulous shimmer. However, the cost of this type is high, since the production is laborious, the percentage of material rejection during work is high (30%). Ornamental aventurine is usually copper in color and looks especially good on dark tiles.
• Mother of pearl effect creates the addition of cadmium and selenium to the liquid glass mass. Graceful overflows are beautiful, but such a finish is not recommended for stairs and rooms with high traffic.
• Iridium - a rare expensive metal of a silvery-white hue, which is valued as highly as platinum and gold. The effect produced by iridium is similar to that obtained with the pearlescent inclusion. Iridium gives the whole iridescent range of overflows, mother-of-pearl - a certain one (gold with pink, blue-green).

• Gold leaf applied to the surface of glass tiles, increasing the status and value of such a mosaic.
• Mirror surface obtained by adding amalgam. According to its characteristics, it is close to glass. On the floor, it is appropriate only as a partial decorative element.

Glass eco-mosaic in production it is possible when the required amount of environmentally friendly pigment is added to the liquid glass for the desired color. The result is an opaque mosaic of a wide variety of colors. Such products are manufactured by the Spanish company Ezarri S. A. The manufacturer offers a large selection of collections, the assortment is regularly updated. Taking into account the peculiarities of glass friction, the Spaniards have developed the Safe Steps and Antislip models. On the Ezarri website, you can create your own unique glass mosaic version yourself.

Modern types of glass mosaics are produced in various sizes: from 10x10 mm to 100x100 mm. The standard dimensions for the wall variety are 4 mm in thickness, The dimensions of the edges are usually 2x2 cm. Floor mosaics are characterized by a smaller side size of 12x12 mm, but an increased thickness (8 mm). In addition to the usual square tiles (2.5x2.5 cm, 3x3 cm, 4x4 cm), rectangular tiles are often found, the dimensions of which vary from 25x12.5 mm to 40x80 mm.

Round mosaic is steadily gaining popularity. Chips on one sheet can be of the same size (from 12 mm) and arbitrary. Larger mosaics are less common because finer details are required to create accurate images. Products with chips are considered large, the sides of which are 23, 48, 48x98, 100x100 mm. Mosaic decor comes on sale in the form of tiles measuring 50x50 cm, which consist of small modules. In addition, there are elements applied to a mesh or paper base (sheets 30x30 cm). In both cases, parts can be of the same shape and color, or have different textures, shapes and sizes.

Glass mosaics are rich in variety.The choice of colors is great due to the production technology of the material and the addition of various impurities (metal, minerals, salts, pigments). This finishing material is beautiful, it will be a worthy decor for any room. The glitter of the glass gives unlimited possibilities for creating a unique play of natural lighting or artificial lighting.

In rooms where this type of finish is used, the following mosaic colors are the most popular:

• classic white (relevant everywhere, acts as the main color, a frame for other elements);
• red (adds brightness to light colors, used in the kitchen, in the hallway);
• blue, turquoise, green (for pools and bathrooms);
• brown (ideal in tandem with semi-precious aventurine);
• beige (looks good on its own, in combination with brown).

Juicy orange glass mosaic is gaining more and more popularity. It is chosen for the decoration of kitchens, where such a positive shade brings an atmosphere of optimism, a sense of the aroma of sweet oranges and tangerines. A bathroom or kitchen in black is a trend in recent years. Black glass tiles can be matte or glossy, flat and convex, transparent. Any option looks stylish with a properly selected interior. Combinations of black mosaics with gold, silver, orange give the room a modern extravagant look.

Mosaic, which looks like the brickwork of the walls, is relevant. The color scheme reflects brick shades, includes transparent and opaque color elements, metallic luster.

A stunning play of light and a variety of optical effects in the interior is created by glass mosaic with impurities:

• mother-of-pearl;
• gold;
• mirror;
• iridium.

Today glass mosaics are made by many eminent factories located abroad and in Russia. Italy and Spain are recognized leaders in the production of finishing materials.

Their products are a tandem of the highest quality with stunning design solutions.

• Spanish factory Ezarri S. A. famous for its opaque glass eco-mosaics. The company has patented a special fastening of the chips to the mesh using PVC ties made of polyvinyl chloride.
• Company Alttoglass produces interesting products with many shades.
• Single-color, gradient and mixed mosaics are produced by an Italian company Vitrex.
• Practical Germans do not lag behind in terms of indicators: high-quality products of the company Baerwolf includes a varied range of mosaic varieties.

There is a stereotype that things made in China are of poor quality. Glass mosaic made in China pleases with its price, variety of colors and textures, durability, and in terms of quality it is not far from its European counterparts.

• Famous brand JNJ offers a wide range of finishing products.
• The lineup Ice jade presents products with icy mother-of-pearl effect.
• Company Bonaparte (China) produces high quality and amazingly varied glass mosaics.

• Manufacturer LLC "MVA Print Mosaic" (Russia) manufactures more than 100 variants of various products, which are suitable for cladding various surfaces, including facade ones.
• Popular domestic manufacturer Domus is engaged in the production of glass mosaics of increased thickness and strength.
• EcoMosaico - Russian representative of the famous Spanish factory Ezarri.
• Also noteworthy are glass products from Artenswidely represented on the web "Leroy Merlin"... Its high quality and affordable price have won the recognition of consumers.

Choosing the perfect mosaic is tricky, as designers and tilers agree. Everyone has different claims, needs and tastes. However, there are some general rules for choosing glass mosaics.It is necessary to choose the area to be decorated (whether it be the edging of the countertop, or a panel 3x3 m). It is necessary to think over exactly where the glass elements will be located, whether an additional degree of surface protection, increased moisture resistance or strength is required, whether it will be a floor material or a wall one.

The design of the glass mosaic allows you to realize any interior fantasy. It is recommended to think over textured solutions. The color scheme is selected based on the purpose of the room. For example, for pools we select fresh and cool blue-green-turquoise tones, calm beige-brown colors are preferred for the bedroom, shades of blue are good for the bathroom.

Pay attention to the mosaic stretch marks: this is an easy way to decorate large areas with minimal costs. They represent a smooth gradient transition from a lighter tone to a darker shade (and vice versa). This technique helps to fill the room with latitude, which is why they can often be seen in swimming pools. The choice and type of surface is important. It is necessary to rely on the level of lighting in the room and remember that mother-of-pearl looks advantageous under the rays of the sun, and the glossy surface goes well with artificial lighting.

• A scattering of mosaic highlights can be placed in any room of the house: in the hallway, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living room, the choice of decor variations is endless.
• Gold mosaic is a definite sign of chic. Such products are often used individually, since the price is high. However, the amazing effect is worth it.
• The Chinese mosaic contains a layer of 995 gold. The cost of such a decor ranges from $ 2,000.
• Mother-of-pearl mosaic will brighten up any room that has a window - a source of natural light. In an ordinary bathroom without windows, there will be no such play of light.

• Volumetric mosaic designs look great in any space, from the bathroom to the spa pool. The artistic value of such paintings can be equated with the painterly ones. Volumetric mosaic paintings look great in any room (from the bathroom to the pool in the spa). The artistic value of such paintings can be equated with the painting.

• In the interior, the inlay of individual pieces of furniture with small mosaics looks great (tabletops, mirror frames, boxes, cabinet doors).

• Bulky finishing is used in expensive interiors, pretentious clubs, restaurants due to its unique appearance and high cost. Manufacturers offer various shapes of products (circles, stars, grains), the combination of gloss with a matte surface looks impressive.

• Glass mosaic is a luxury available to everyone. Your interior will sparkle in a new way if you diversify it with an elegant pattern of pieces of glass.

For information on how to properly lay the mosaic, see the next video.