mosaic help please

[rbis5368]

Hello,
I'm a new member looking for some advice on repairing an existing shop front mosaic. I would like to do it myself (no money I'm afraid , we are trying to fit out the shop and build a bakery on site).
It has been badly repaired and parts of the front and back are missing/damaged. As a starting point I have removed a section of tiles from the front and back to get a relatively neat edge (I have saved the tiles) and plan to use the taken up tiles to create a neat border. There is not enough tiles to complete all the work so I plan to make a narrow border (approx 8 cm) at front and back that will match the colour of our new shop front.
I wonder if I could ask for some advice as to how to do this project correctly - how to prep the surface, how to stabilise existing tiles, what adhesive and grout to use etc, where to buy tiles from (I don't need many)
I hope you can help - there are some lovely mosaics on this site
I can post pictures if neccessary.

 

[peteablard]

Hi and welcome, not sure i quite understand what you're panning, a couple of pics would help

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

Pic's would be great for us to understand/advice you

 

[rbis5368]

I did want to add pictures but couldn't first time round - will try again !

 

[honestjas]

good luck...!!!

 

[peteablard]

How solid are the rest of the mosaics? In the close up pic it looks like there are issues with the substrate, possibly many years of water penetration. It might be worth seeing how easy the surrounding ones come up before you start putting the old ones back down as I think to do the job properly you might have a bigger job on your hands than you think.

 

[rbis5368]

What does substrate mean? Most ofthe tiles are secure(though not in the small yellow area shown on the close up pic. Do you think I will need to lower the level below the level that the tiles came out? Or do modern tiles come in shallower depth? Is there a type of tile glue that will hold everything in place?thank you for your time
Rebeca

 

[Gazzer]

Substrate is what you will be fixing too...ie , screed, concrete wood, backer board !