All about the kitchen apron from the mosaic and even more

The mosaic apron is a non-trivial and at the same time time-proven alternative to aprons made from large-format ceramic tiles, porcelain tiles, stone or glass. And although the mosaic tiles are made of the same materials (and not only), the properties and appearance of such an apron have their own characteristics. Let's find out how to plan the design of the future panel, prepare for the trip to the store, calculate the consumption of materials, choose glue and grout, and how to lay the mosaic with your own hands.

Step 1. Choose the size and format

So, you are thinking about decorating the working area with mosaic tiles. To do this, you first need to make measurements of the apron and calculate the consumption of the material based on the size of the tile.

• Modern mosaic, as a rule, is sold not in a loose form, but in the form of blanks, that is, matrices in the size: 24 × 24 cm, 28 × 28 cm, 30 × 30 cm, 3 × 3 cm, 32 × 32 cm and other Usually for a total area of ​​1 square. m you need to buy 9 matrices.
  instagram viewer
• The mosaic consists of small fragments, which are called chips. The size of the chips varies from 1x1 cm to 5 × 5 cm, and sometimes up to 10 × 10 cm. For the kitchen apron cladding, a mosaic with 2 × 2 cm-5 × 5 cm tiles is most often used. Below in the photo slider you can see the formats of the chips 1 × 1, 2 × 2 see.

• The most running form of the plates is square. It is convenient in laying mosaic, calculating the consumption of material and fits into any interior.

• Also popular are rectangular chips. But circles, triangles, rhombuses, hexahedrons and other forms are less common. In the next selection of photos you can see aprons of mosaic with chips of different sizes and shapes.

Some more useful information

The details of the mosaic can be fixed in three ways:

1. Connected to each other by polymer bridges;
2. Glued to polyurethane mesh (mesh is located on the back of the matrix);
3. Fixed on paper basis (paper is glued to the front of the composition, and is removed only before grouting the seams).

The worst option is the first, as the jumpers easily break off during the mosaic laying process. The most convenient and reliable option is a mosaic on a grid that does not tear, so it's easier to glue it. In addition, the grid in this case performs the function of reinforcement.

Step 2. Choose a beautiful design and good material

Now you can start planning the design of an apron, which can be conditionally divided into groups:

.

1. Monocolor- when the mosaic on the grid is laid out by modules of the same color and shape. In the photo below, examples of an apron for the kitchen from a mosaic of the same color in the interior.

1. Mix- when the tile-mosaic for the kitchen consists of different shades of the same color, all the modules with the same format. The more colors and shades are collected in the mix, the higher will be the price of the apron.

1. Stretching ("gradient")- differs in that the grid at the "stretch" is not square, but rectangular (:), and the mosaic is laid out on gradient principle - from saturated color to weakly saturated, for example, from blue to light blue. But this type of matrix is ​​more often used for finishing bathroom walls.
2. Panel- when the factory mosaic on the grid is arranged in the form of a pattern or pattern.

The design of the apron for the kitchen from the mosaic and its performance characteristics also depend on the materials from which the composition is composed.

Ceramic Mosaic

Ceramic mosaic is composed of molded ceramic tiles, so from large-format ceramics to properties is no different - it is the same wear and tear-resistant, moisture-resistant, variable in design and durable. But the ceramic mosaic looks more elegant and colorful, creates the impression of handmade work, fits better with interiors in oriental styles. Cons: it costs almost twice as much as ordinary tiles and requires a higher consumption of grouting. Glass mosaic ceramics loses in the variability of design and colors, but wins in the texture of chips - the ceramic composition can be matte, glossy, rough, with the effect of antiquity, imitating pebbles and a rock. The thickness of the ceramic mosaic is twice as thick as the glass panels - 8-10 mm.

The following photos show the traditional white mosaic in the interior of the kitchen.

But the kitchen apron is made of mosaic, complemented by a curb and decor.

Glass Mosaic

Glass mosaic - is more popular than all other types of tile-mosaic for the kitchen, as it looks beautiful, and is cheaper, and very easy to care for and durable. Due to the high-temperature firing and the small size of the tiles (minimum 2 × 2 cm), glass mosaic is much stronger than ordinary glass, despite the same composition.

Conditionally, a mosaic made of glass can be divided into:

• Homogeneous glass.Small glass blocks can be glossy and look like colored candies or matte, similar to glass, turned over by the sea. Also, in glass cubes can be added glitters, foil, minerals, etc.

• Smaltu.Smalta is a baked mixture of pressed colored glass with metal oxides. From glass, smalt has a very high strength (because of which it can be placed even on the floor), as well as a saturated color, effect of internal glow and man-madeness, since each plate of the smoked glass differs slightly from each other in shade. Smalta can be very different depending on the additives and coatings. For example, she can imitate mother of pearl.

• Glass with the addition of minerals.To obtain a mosaic tile, similar to precious stones, the glassmass is mixed with minerals with aventurine or iridium. The mosaic turns out to be expensive, but very beautiful - with a flickering or iridescent surface.

How to choose a grout for glass mosaic?

Glass mosaic is particularly demanding in the selection of glue and grout, as incorrectly selected compositions can spoil the look of the apron with transparent, translucent and matt tiles.

• The best mortar for glass mosaic is a mixture based on epoxy resin in a light gray color, and the best glue is white.
• Since glass, in contrast to ceramics, has no pores, its adhesion to the surface is less durable, so for laying mosaic glass used special adhesives and grouts with increased adhesion rates from 20 to 28 kg per cm sq. m.

Stone mosaic

To produce it, a variety of stones and minerals are used: from marble to onyx. The stone is very durable and almost eternal, each natural stone is unique and unique, but still it is a porous material, therefore, To preserve its beauty longer, it should be treated with a special protective compound filling the pores and facilitating the care of apron.

• From buying an apron of soft and porous stone rocks it is better to refuse, as they absorb the coloring food contamination like red wine or beet juice;
• The thickness of the stone mosaic is 8-10 mm;
• Stone mosaic belongs to the category of elite and expensive materials - facing 1 square. m will cost from 7000 rubles.

Chips can be polished, rough, have a relief or cut out pattern, and even stone slabs can be combined on the same basis with glass, smalt or ceramic. By the way, the basis they always mesh.

The photo below shows an apron made of mosaic with stone and glass chips.

Mosaic tiles from porcelain tiles

Ceramic granite is an excellent alternative to pottery and stone, as it is as durable as a stone, yet less porous and more affordable. Pottery ceramic granite is superior in strength, but loses to it in the variability of design - it has less Glossy surface and, as a rule, a neutral color palette - from beige shades to dark brown. In addition, ceramic granite mosaic is cut, and not poured into molds, like ceramic tiles.

Pearly mosaic

Mother of pearl is one of the most beautiful finishing materials, possessing unique properties: reflecting and muffling the directed light, it makes it diffuse and soft, while pouring iridescent shades. If mother-of-pearl mosaic is made of natural mother-of-pearl, then it will be quite expensive, but you can choose a mosaic made of glass or smalt with pearlescent coating.

Metal mosaic

Metal mosaic tiles are made of ceramics, rubber or plastic, which are covered a layer of stainless steel, brass or bronze, resulting in chips of steel or gold shades. The metal mosaic apron will be practical and reliable, and yet - the metal decorative coating is subject to abrasion.

Mirror Mosaic

Mirror mosaic is made up of pieces of mirrors and has a thickness of 5 mm. It is quite durable, but requires a little more frequent care. Mirror chips can be tinted and are most often produced in a rectangular or square shape. The photo below shows interiors of kitchens with a mirror mosaic on an apron.

Some more useful information

• The most popular variants are a glass mosaic and, of course, a ceramic one. In these categories you can find how excellent budgetary (600-2000 rubles / 1 square. m), and exclusive high-value panels. A quite affordable price kitchen apron will also come from a metal mosaic (500 rubles. / 1 sq. M. m). All other types of tiles are significantly more expensive.
• As a rule, the brighter and richer the color range of mosaic tiles, the higher its price. The most inexpensive designs are monocolors and mixes of white, light beige, brown and gray tones without decorative additives, because their production is less complex and expensive. If the color palette of the mosaic is bright, multicolored, decorated, with flickering effects, etc., then the price will be much higher.

• If the complete lining of the apron mosaic does not fit into the budget, then you can use it as a ceramic tile decor. The photo below shows examples of such a combination in the interior of the kitchen.

Step 3. Choose grout and glue

• Grout for mosaic is based on cement or epoxy resin. The first option is easier to apply and distributed, more suitable for laying the mosaic with your own hands, and it is cheaper. But it does not withstand frequent washing, it absorbs household pollution and eventually darkens, spoiling the appearance. Grout for mosaics based on epoxy is considered the best for both the quality of adhesion, and for maintenance characteristics - it does not absorb moisture or dirt, is not afraid of frequent cleaning of joints using household chemicals and does not change your color. If you want to make the seams white, then the mixture based on epoxy will be especially relevant.

But the "epoxy" has its disadvantages: high cost and capriciousness in mashing the seams, as the mixture dries quickly. It's very difficult to deal with this task with your own hands, so it's better to entrust the laying of the mosaic to a good professional.

• The glue for facing the kitchen apron with mosaic tiles should be waterproof and preferably antifungal;
• The most universal color of the grout is light gray and white. Also, you can choose a mixture in the tone of the kitchen apron, or contrast.

• Glue for glass mosaic must necessarily be white.

Step 4. Laying mosaic on the apron with your own hands - a step-by-step instruction

So, tile-mosaic for the kitchen is chosen, glue, grout and auxiliary materials are prepared, it remains only to put the mosaic on the apron.

• Laying the mosaic with your own hands - it's not very difficult, if you use a trowel mixture not from epoxy resin, but on the basis of cement. Otherwise, and if you use expensive mosaic, it is better not to risk and invite a master.

Step 1. Preparing the base of the apron

The wall under the future apron should be leveled, clean and completely dry - you can start laying the mosaic only 10 days after the completion of the preparatory work. For finishing alignment, it is better to use white shpaklevku.

Step 2. Marking

To make the size of the seams the same and the apron neat, the mosaic on the grid or paper basis is laid out on the floor with the same interval equal to the value of the seams between the chips. Then the resulting layout is consistently and accurately transferred to the wall, marking the dimensions of sheets and seams. The more accurate the layout, the faster and easier it will be to lay the mosaic.

Step 3. Dilution of glue

Now you need to dilute the glue according to the instructions to the creamy condition with the help of a drill with a nozzle-mixer. It is better not to prepare the entire volume of the composition at once, so that it does not have time to dry up, because you can not dilute the dried up glue with water.

Step 4. Mosaic mosaic on apron

In order to glue the mosaic to the wall, apply glue first with a smooth spatula, then level with a notched trowel with square teeth 3 × 3 cm. Next, start the layout according to the layout, and then fix it, tapping lightly on it with a rubber spatula. At this stage, the tile can be leveled, if necessary - trimmed (photo 1-3).

• Laying and fixing the mosaic, try not to press on it strongly - the glue should not be squeezed out of the seams. If this happens, then you need to choose a spatula with smaller teeth. It can also mean that the surface of the wall is uneven.

Step 5. Wiping of seams

As soon as the glue dries (about 3 hours), the paper or film on the mosaic must be removed.

• If the mosaic is on a paper basis, then it must be removed, pre-wetting with a sponge with warm water. The film is removed diagonally, the adhesive from the base is washed off with a sponge (photo 4, 5).

Now you can start rubbing the seams. To do this, the trowel mixture, with a slight pressure, is applied with a rubber spatula and spread over the mosaic along the vertical and horizontal lines, simultaneously removing the excesses diagonally. After 30-60 minutes (when the grout began to freeze, but has not yet dried), the remnants of the mixture begin to wipe with a damp sponge, without washing it out of the seams (photo 6). If the grout is poorly washed, then you can additionally wipe the mosaic with an alkaline solution, and then wash it off in time. Well, that's all, it remains only to polish the apron felt or baikoy (photo 7).

(Rate the material! Already voted:32average rating:, 6of 5)
. Loading... Support the project - share the material with your friends in social networks:

For more information on the process of laying the mosaic with your own hands, see the next video.

Read also:

• . Plastic panels in the decoration of the kitchen apron and walls.
• . How to choose an apron for the kitchen - help for the buyer.
• . Apron made of plastic - information for the buyer.
• . All about glass aprons for the kitchen - from skinned to plexiglas.
• . Apron made of tile "boar" in the interior of the kitchen - from the choice of design to the laying yourself.
• . Wall panels from MDF in finishing the apron and kitchen walls.