Mosaic tabletop: do it yourself

Since ancient times, mosaic tiles used in the decoration of the walls of temples and palaces, but now the possibility of using this material is much wider. Today, to make a bathroom, kitchen or any other room stylish, if this allows for free space, a mosaic worktop made by your own will help you. In addition, you can make and copyright coffee tables for the home.

Let us examine in more detail the manufacture of tiled countertops. To do this, choose glass, ceramic, stone, metal, wood and other types of tiles.

Every year the cost of furniture and building materials only increases, therefore, it is not possible to regularly update the interior regularly. The kitchen furniture is especially deformed over time.You should not be upset, for such a case there is an excellent solution. Mosaic tiles will help you save, renew, decorate your old kitchen set or other surfaces and add originality and freshness to the interior.

Mosaic is a tile, the dimensions of which are determined from one and a half to 2.5 cm. The shape of the fragments can be very diverse. They can be square, triangular, rectangular, round and any other arbitrary shape.

Mosaic for facing various surfaces in the interior is divided into the following types:

• glass - the most used type, the main feature of which is a low price and different types of performance (matte, transparent, color, gold and silver, with different shades and additions);
• metal mosaic;
• ceramic - it happens: in the form of chopped sheets of porcelain stoneware and ceramic tiles;
• stone - from lapis lazuli, jasper, marble, travertine;
• smalt tiles - the most expensive type, but at the same time high quality and reliable.

Reliability and unusual appearance - this is what distinguishes the mosaic countertops.This decorative solution is ideal for the decoration of the living room, bathroom and other rooms. A picture or a beautiful pattern is made up of small tiles.

To begin with, decide on a specific area of ​​placement. Most often they choose such options: a transition between furniture, a coffee mosaic table and just a surface from a mosaic. All tile finishing options are the perfect solution for your interior. It is used for decorating the living room, finishing the apron and countertops in the kitchen, but it is not recommended to stack the mosaic on the old set.

Sometimes, in order to expand the working area in the kitchen, a window sill is made with mosaic tiles. But most options for the use of such tiles can be found in the bathroom. For example, with the help of it they mask the washing machine, decorate the walls, link the washstand with the screen.

Keep in mind, the construction of a tiled table requires skill and a certain experience, although it seems commonplace.The following materials are excellent for the foundation: concrete, wood materials with a good, moisture-resistant impregnation, waterproof plasterboard surfaces, dense polyurethane.

It is worth noting that you can make a mosaic with your own hands. It is only necessary to make pieces of glass that are suitable in shape and color. And glass fragments can be obtained in any company that sells consumables and stained glass for stained glass. This is a great way to try yourself in something new and get carried away with it.

For folding tiled surface will require:

• grout for joints;
• primer;
• putty;
• antiseptic.

Instruments:

• putty knife;
• capacity for mixing glue;
• capacity for mixing grout;
• rags;
• sandpaper;
• soft spatula for grouting.

In order to mosaic tiles firmly fixed on the table, use a special adhesive mixture. Experts recommend choosing plastic mixtures of white. You can use any adhesive mixture for tile, but only in the case of laying an opaque mosaic. For glass tiles you need to choose only transparent or white mixtures.

Before laying the tiles it is necessary to level the surface with a putty. Further, the surface must be cleaned and degreased. To protect the surface from mold and mildew, be sure to cover it with antiseptic impregnation. The next step will be applying a primer.

The process is a bit similar to the manufacture of stained glass using Tiffany technique. Before you begin to lay tiles, be sure to lay it on the table and form the desired pattern. So you can evaluate a possible option and, if necessary, fix something.

It is recommended to start laying the mosaic from the near edge of the tabletop. Thus, if it is necessary to trim elements, it will occur on the far side and will not attract much attention. But if you are sure that cutting is not needed, then you need to start from the far side. If the mosaic should form a certain pattern, then lay it out from the center of the tabletop.

Operating procedure:

• Primer surface in two layers.
• Apply a small amount of glue to level the surface.
• The special grid is laid, and on top of it is a tile. It is leveled on level (it is also possible to use paper instead of a grid, it will soften and remove later). But be sure to think over the drawing before laying the tile, and draw it first on the sheet at a scale of 1: 1, and later on the surface, in order to protect yourself from undesirable results.
• Next, the result of decorating the surface must be covered with grout. It will make the finished coating more reliable, stronger and more durable. Apply it with a soft spatula on the seams and rub in carefully. It is required to leave the surface until it is completely dry, and you cannot use a hairdryer or other heating methods. The rule is this: the tile will be stronger to keep on the surface if it dries longer.

• Excess dried composition is removed from the mosaic using a dry, soft cloth. Sometimes, when the mixture dries out very strongly, it becomes necessary to use sandpaper with the finest grains.
• Polished tiles. To do this, use furniture wax.It is necessary to put it on a soft, lint-free cloth and thoroughly rub it into the tile elements.
• Wait until the surface is completely dry. It usually takes about a day.

If you are not confident in your ability to create complex patterns and paintings, then experts recommend using a circular pattern. For its execution it is necessary to draw diverging circles from the center of the surface. The shape of the elements really does not matter, it is only important that the smaller elements are located closer to the center, and the larger ones - to the edges.

On a carefully prepared basis to get the perfect mosaic installation is not difficult. It is important to remove even, identical seams over the entire surface area. Cutting elements can be using nippers. If the plinth is attached to the wall, you can leave a gap between the wall and the tile.

An edge is also attached to the glue, if necessary. Then it is necessary to treat the surface with epoxy mixtures and latex mastics to protect against moisture. Dear Italian, and any other tile from this can very quickly deteriorate.

Finishing furniture and various surfaces of mosaic tiles requires a lot of hard work, patience, skills and dexterity, it takes a lot of time and effort, but the result is worth it. Such a solution for your home will be a real gift. Recently, more and more people are using the idea of ​​mosaic everywhere. It is no longer fashionable to hammer in free space with boring and monotonous furniture, where it is better to do something special with your own hands that will please you and your loved ones.

Countertops or other tiled surfaces look like expensive designer items that are not so accessible. She can lay out the sink or decorate the dining table. Therefore, if you want to get a stylish and luxurious living room, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom or other rooms, then be sure to use the idea of ​​mosaic decoration.

See the following video for a mosaic table decor method.