packing out mosaic borders

[lip city]

Hi lads, a small quiery for any top pros out there, was just wondering how other people tackle this problem, customers who want a mosaic border around the middle ov the room that is thinner than the tiles? Iv been tiling a few years now but still haven't been able to work out the best way to do this. I suppose it depends upon the thickness of tiles or how flat the walls are etc, iv tried almost every method I can think ov, (mosaic packers, puting cut pieces ov tiles around the room then popping them out and filling with grout then tapping mosaic in) etc but was just wondering how the top pros do this and if I was missing a trick here. Any detailed reply would be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Gazzer]

Filling with Grout ?

 

[lip city]

Yeah fill with grout if for example it was just 1 row ov a small border in the past I have used cut tiles the same size a the mosaic then popped them off when the tiles above are set and filling the small gap with grout and this is enough to hold the border in place. If there is a bigger border going around I have bought some tile and grout in 1 and used that for extra strenght to hold the bigger mosaic. Hope this makes sense and any advice is much appreciated.

 

[bugs183]

Just forget to put the mosaics in at all!!
I use a couple of methods Lip.
First is fix the main tiles and cut neat tiles off a gauge to space the gaps where the mosaics are to go.
Then i can sometimes use 5mm Schluter Kerdi board to pack out the back and then mosaic over after.
Or, god how do i explain this.
Cut a template out of a cut piece of tile that has a lip sticking out the thickness of a mosaic, this lip should be the width of the mosaic border.
Run rapid setting white adhesive into the gap where the mosaics are to go and cut this adhesive back with the profile just made.
If its done right the profile will fill the border are with adhesive, but cut back enough adhesive so that once set you can stick mosaics flush with the thicker tiles.
I hope it makes sense.

 

[lip city]

Yeah put a cut the same size as the mosaic around the room then pop it out when the tiles above are set and fill the gap with grout then compress the mosaic into the gap. Ok its not exactly sticking to guide lines but it does work when it is just a small border. Any other advice is much appreciated.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

This is one way using adhesive

 

[lip city]

Thanks for that mate, iv also tried something along the lines of ur first method, filling the gap with cut 6inch white but by doing this it can be to much therefore Iv had to build the rest ov the normals tiles right out which is a hassle to say the least. I lyk the sound ov ur 2nd idea which makes perfect sense mate, can't believe I never thought ov that!! Haha. Problem solved mate thanks a lot.

 

[Andy Allen]

i just use those plastic mosaic packers, most tile shops sell them..

 

[peteablard]

Just forget to put the mosaics in at all!!
I use a couple of methods Lip.
First is fix the main tiles and cut neat tiles off a gauge to space the gaps where the mosaics are to go.
Then i can sometimes use 5mm Schluter Kerdi board to pack out the back and then mosaic over after.
Or, god how do i explain this.
Cut a template out of a cut piece of tile that has a lip sticking out the thickness of a mosaic, this lip should be the width of the mosaic border.
Run rapid setting white adhesive into the gap where the mosaics are to go and cut this adhesive back with the profile just made.
If its done right the profile will fill the border are with adhesive, but cut back enough adhesive so that once set you can stick mosaics flush with the thicker tiles.
I hope it makes sense.

someone had a good step by step set of pics showing this, think it may have been @Phil Hobson but can't remember....

 

[bugs183]

I've tried those packers, we didn't get on!

 

[DHTiling]

Same method as Phil for me.. dead easy and spot on every time .

 

[peteablard]

This is one way using adhesive

nice one, I thought it was you that had the pics Phil but for one reason my last post needed mods approval so it appeared after you posted!!

 

[Ian]

The thread was in the guest area, that's why all the posts needed manually approving, I've moved it to the tiling forum now so all should be well.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

someone had a good step by step set of pics showing this, think it may have been @Phil Hobson but can't remember....

Cheers Pete I did put a few on, but I can't find them. The one I put on is vertical but same idea, must get my old pics sorted.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

always use same method as Phil too

 

[macten]

I put one on a while back:

Aaaah - summer tiling, miss it so much

 

[Ian]

I've used this method in recent months, just out of interest, do you let the base spread of adhesive set then put a thin layer on before the mosaics or, put the mosaic straight onto one layer of adhesive? Hope that makes sense!

 

[White Room]

This is how I do the vertical to keep the gap and as Phil does with the gauge

 

[macten]

I add a couple of mm to the mosaic thickness on the dog tooth and let it dry and trowel normally.
When it's been a narrow feature border (trowel wont fit) then I I take a couple of mm off the mosaic thickness on the dog tooth and pad in whilst wet.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I've used this method in recent months, just out of interest, do you let the base spread of adhesive set then put a thin layer on before the mosaics or, put the mosaic straight onto one layer of adhesive? Hope that makes sense!

I do Bri, I let the rapid set go off then spread the adhesive allowing for a thin bed for the mosaic as Nick and Mark. I have put loads of pics on here, but can't find them atm.

 

[Ian]

How do you spread the adhesive on a thin border? I've actually chopped down a mosaic trowel to about 5cm wide so it fits in the gap! Just wondered if there were any other methods.

 

[The Legend; Phil Hobson RIP]

I have cut down a peice of plastic from an emulsion paint bucket lid, or even a tubbed adhesive lid. And notched it out to suit.(Not that I use tubbed adhesive) much.

 

[Dougs Third Go]

I normally cut down glazing packers.

 

[White Room]

I use a margin trowel

 

[Dougs Third Go]

How do you spread the adhesive on a thin border? I've actually chopped down a mosaic trowel to about 5cm wide so it fits in the gap! Just wondered if there were any other methods.

I just parge it in with a grout float after first run through has set and then screed it off with dog tooth again and pad them in with grout float.