Mosaic glue: variations and selection criteria

Today, there is a huge variety of finishing materials, thanks to which you can create an original interior in a room, focusing on any area or finish the entire surface. These products include tile mosaic, whose decorative possibilities are striking in their diversity.

The wall in the room, lined with mosaic, or a pool - in any case, the result of the use of such products will exceed all expectations. Moreover, laying the tiles can be entrusted to the master or else you can do it yourself. But in order for the work to be carried out qualitatively, a suitable adhesive composition is necessary. Most modern and domestic producers of building materials offer the consumer special adhesives for these works.

It is rather difficult to single out the highest quality adhesive composition, which will allow to save on consumption for 1 m2 of working area, since each type of product has its own individual features and properties.

Kinds of mosaic glue are classified based on its composition. There are three main types of products.

It is produced when white or gray cement is included in the mixture, due to which its color is set. Cement adhesive for the work must be prepared - in this proportion, the powder is stirred with water or latex. The composition can be elastic, highly elastic and rigid. Each of the above adhesive solutions has a narrow scope, based on the type of surface from which it is necessary to fix the tile.

Stiff mix is ​​used to work with an even mineral base., it can safely handle brick or plastered walls, foam blocks, concrete surfaces. Dry mixes have a positive feature that concerns their low cost. For non-standard cases, experts prefer to choose a mixture with good elasticity.The use of such products makes sense in those situations when mosaic laying is required on surfaces that do not absorb moisture and have little resistance to temperature fluctuations, for example, for lining “warm” floors.

This mixture can be used immediately after purchase to work with mosaics. It is a one-component adhesive, the main advantage of which is ease of use. It is convenient to apply the mixture on substrates in residential premises, since it does not form any wastes and dust when performing the assigned tasks. There is no need for a lot of surface treatment, the mixture does not dry out and does not lose its properties, it does not need to be kneaded, because the glue in the tank is already completely ready for use. After finishing the lining of the container with glue to tightly close the lid. Ease of use of products with interest pays for its cost.

The reactive composition includes a hardener and a base that react with each other, due to which the product acquires the ability to securely fix the tile. More demanded products, where the basis is the epoxy or polyurethane component.

The solution is needed to perform time-consuming tasks related to the facing of surfaces with mosaic.

And also it is successfully used for glass, wood and plastic products.

To work properly with this glue, you need some experience. - it is applied to a small area with fast and precise movements, as the mixture instantly hardens, after which it cannot be used.

In order not to be mistaken with the choice of composition, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the base to be decorated, the area of ​​operation of the room and the conditions.And also before buying glue for mosaic it will be useful to take into account the time allotted for lining the base. For those cases when there is very little time allotted, it is better to prefer quick-drying products.

A solid and even surface will be an ideal base, since the application of the composition will not have any obstacles, the mosaic will be fixed securely on such a wall or ceiling.

Facing plaster or screed cement is carried out with quality products. The decor of the uneven surface, laying mosaics on waterproofing or old ceramic tiles is better to perform a highly elastic mixture.

For elements of glass, it is necessary to carefully select the mixture for fixation, since the glass slab is very capricious in terms of installation. Through the transparent glass elements you can see the base and the materials located below. For this kind of mosaic is to buy exactly the white mixture.

The gray composition applied under the tile can spoil the ornament of the composition.that will adversely affect the appearance of the surface.You can opt for an adhesive solution, which contains white cement or polyurethane-based products.

If mirror glass mosaic is used for decoration on a paper base, which is often placed in pools, elastic glue of any color, even black, will be suitable for work. In such compositions, which will function with moisture, additionally include liquid latex.

The mosaic on the grid or paper has no fundamental differences in terms of the choice of glue. However, the technology of laying sheets requires a marking on the base for an even pattern. In the course of fixing such a mosaic, you need to follow the complete immersion of the wrong side of the material in the composition.

In order to choose the appropriate glue for mosaic from natural stone, for example, marble elements for decorating, its type is first taken into account. Because some breeds can change their shade when in contact with moisture. For such works, it is better to acquire a cement or reactive composition.

For the "diamond" mosaic tiles, which is the most expensive type of decor, allowing you to create a unique design in the room, use special adhesives, they are included by the manufacturer in the product package and are implemented together.

Mosaic canvas consists of a large number of elements on a special basis - the grid, paper, as well as foil substrate. This product configuration provides it with a high level of flexibility, and products can be cut into elements of the desired size.

The adhesion of the adhesive to the base increases if the surface is primed.

Based on the basis of the mosaic canvas, gluing the product is performed according to a certain technology. The tile on the base of the construction grid is simply fixed on the surface. No further work required. The cloths on the paper base are first secured with the back side out to soak the base, after which it is removed.

After the product is attached to the base, it must be leveled and drowned in the surface, in order to evenly place the elements.The remains of glue in the seams between the tiles must be removed while it is still fresh, using a spatula. This is followed by the most time-consuming process - grouting the joints between the parts.

There are cases when, in order to save the master, for lining the surface with mosaic they use ordinary or silicone glue for tiles. However, many compositions are unsuitable for such works by their consistency, since they will be too thick or, on the contrary, liquid. In the latter case, the canvas simply does not hold on to the base, and the presence of aggressive substances in the composition may harm the decorative material.

Therefore, for works with mosaic, it is necessary to acquire only specialized formulations from well-known manufacturers, for example, domestic unis or Italian remedies Litokol K55, Lacrysil, Mosaik. The leaders in this segment are trademarks. Ceresit and Knauf.

However, an important nuance is still the purchase of products that will not constitute a low-quality fake under the well-known brand.

On the packaging of the composition there is information indicating the sphere of use of the adhesive, which concerns the possibility of working with transparent or translucent mosaic,as well as the use of products in residential premises, for exterior cladding, in conditions of high humidity or in direct contact with water. Manufacturers of adhesive compositions for mosaics offer customers a wide range of quality products for all types of foundations and tile fabrics made from a variety of materials.

For a test review of Plitonit glue for mosaic tiles, see the video below.