By Blair Hagensen
For more information, please visit Ralart Mosaic.
When it comes to adding a touch of elegance and creativity to your space, Mosaic Tile is an excellent choice. Their versatility, design possibilities, and timeless appeal make them a favorite among homeowners and top designers alike. If you’re considering a smaller-sized tile for your project, you can opt for us to sheet your tile or have it shipped to you loose.
However, installing individual mosaic tiles can be a painstaking process. This is where our sheeted tile comes into play, making mosaic installation a breeze. Generally speaking, all of our Mosaic Tile sizes will be sheeted to your specifications, and the cost is folded into their price.
Today we’re answering the most frequently asked questions we get about sheeting our tile.
These small, intricate tiles can transform any space, but working with individual mosaic tiles can be a challenging task–especially for DIY enthusiasts or those with limited experience in tile installation. Each tiny tile must be spaced and placed with precision, making it a time-consuming and sometimes frustrating process.
One of the key advantages of tile sheeting is the elimination of the need to space individual tiles manually. With pre-sheeted tile, installing mosaic tiles has never been easier, and you can achieve professional-looking results without the need for meticulous spacing and alignment.
By eliminating the need to individually place and space tiles, our sheeted tile expedites the installation process exponentially.
Whether you’re tackling a small weekend DIY project or a large-scale commercial project like LaGuardia Airport above, the time-saving benefits of sheeted tile allow you to spend less time on installation and more time enjoying the beautifully tiled space.
A polished and cohesive result is easily attained with sheeted tile thanks to uniform spacing. Each tile is carefully placed in a template with pre-spaced grout joints before being face-taped, which greatly helps to ensure even grout lines upon installation.
This is especially helpful with handmade tile, where size variation naturally occurs with the artisanal manufacturing process.
With 125+ standard glaze colors and six handmade sizes and shapes available, you have the creative freedom to reflect your own personal style and preferences. Choose one solid color for a classic look, or create unique patterns with multiple colors that suit your vision.
Working on a commercial project? Complete customization is always an option, with intricate murals and patterns, custom colors our glaze team will develop in-house, and even custom shapes and sizes available. Learn more about custom commercial options here.
We know every project is unique, which is why we offer a diverse selection of mosaic sizes that can be sheeted. Whether you’re looking for a classic 1x1 or want to experiment with other formats, we’ve got you covered. Here are our mosaic sizes, all of which we offer for sheeting:
1x1 Mosaic Tiles: Our tiniest size packs a big design punch. These small square tiles are perfect for creating intricate patterns or adding subtle texture to your walls and floors.
2x2 Mosaic Tiles: Slightly larger than 1x1s with no less of an impact, our 2x2 Mosaic Tile allows for bold designs and stunning visual interest.
3x3 Mosaic Tiles: Our largest mosaic square is at home with both traditional and modern styles, allowing you to explore your creativity and bring your unique design vision to life.
1x4 Mosaic Tiles: The elongated shape of this size opens up a world of design possibilities, and is ideal for creating linear designs when stacked horizontally or vertically.
1x6 Mosaic Tiles: With their longer length, 1x6 infuse your space with a touch of elegance and are especially favored in midcentury modern environments.
2x4 Mosaic Tiles: A smaller alternative to standard subway tile size, this timeless shape will exude classic design into your space with an offset pattern or modern elegance when stacked.
2” and 3” Hexagons: This timeless choice available in 2 sizes offers a perfect balance between classic and contemporary, with a plethora of custom color patterns just waiting to be dreamed up.
Small Diamonds: Create eye-catching patterns, like the popular geometric Escher pattern, with our diamond-shaped mosaics that add a touch of luxury to any surface.
3” Triangles: More than the sum of its parts, our 3” Triangle offers a multitude of design possibilities depending on your pattern and color preferences.
All of the sizes above are Ceramic Tile, but we also sheet our popular USA-made Glass Tile as well! Glass is available sheeted in 1x1, 1x2, 1x4, 2x2, 2x4, and 3x3.
Each tile sheet is carefully pieced together in-house, with the tiles securely face-taped by the square foot and pre-spaced with appropriate grout joints. This not only simplifies the installation process but also ensures consistent spacing and a professional finish.
Here’s an example of what our sheeting process looks like (please note that a professional Fireclay Mosaic Artist did not sheet this, the video was made by our marketing team for demonstration purposes only):
Sheeting is ideal for intricate designs and patterns, keeping everything aligned and spaced beautifully. Whether you’d like a classic offset, modern straight-set, herringbone, Escher, or another pattern, having your Mosaic Tile sheeted is the foundation for stunning, precise designs.
Plus, with our range of colors, you can experiment freely to find the perfect blend for you. Go for a bold and vibrant combination or a subtle, monochromatic look and we’ll piece them together in the blend of your dreams whether you’d like the colors randomized or placed in a custom mural.
No. The cost of sheeting mosaic sizes is folded into the price per square foot, and pricing is incremental based on the pattern and color blend you choose. This means that although you can specify to have your Mosaic Tile sent loose, there is no discount for loose mosaics.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of tile sheets, know that we’re here to help answer any other questions you may have and to help get you started on your mosaic journey. Fill out the simple form below and our team will be in touch shortly.
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NameFirst Name *Last Name * * *Address *Address 2City *State *Zip Code *10 characters leftCountry *How do you prefer we contact you? *EmailPhoneZoom CallWhat time of day is best to contact you? *MorningAfternoonEveningLeave this field blankBy Kali Gibson
By Kali Gibson
By Ted Ryan
By Kali Gibson
Many people think that polished mosaic tiles are slippery and not good for the floors. Well, that’s just not true … mosaics have a lot of spaces between individual pieces (usually 2mm) and that’s what makes them non-slippery. Same as anti-slip tile tapes, grouted spaces between mosaics does the same trick.
Perhaps you've always admired the look of mosaic tiles, but you have doubts about whether they're right for your home. "Are mosaic floors slippery?" you wonder.
There's good news about that! Some mosaic floors do a great job of reducing falls. With the right material and design, you can feel confident about installing mosaic tiles in your home. You may even be able to use mosaics in high-traffic or water-prone areas of your house.
Before you settle on a flooring style for your next home project, take a look at the benefits of mosaic tiles for slip resistance.
Sure, some types of tile are slippery. That doesn't mean that all tiles fall into that category, though. There are plenty of ways to install tile in your home without compromising on safety.
For most tile installations, there's a substance called grout that goes between each individual tile. It fills the space between the pieces to reinforce the arrangement and keep out dirt and moisture.
Grout comes in a variety of forms, but it's usually a mixture of several different ingredients. It's common for grout to contain cement. There may be sand included as well.
For more information, please visit Loose Mosaic Tiles.
Some types of grout are naturally rough. Sand, in particular, is good for contributing grit to the mix. Using sanded grout in your tile layout will add texture and increase the amount of traction underfoot.
Smoother types of grout may increase the slip resistance of a floor, too. That's because the grout-tile-grout pattern helps ensure texture variation across the layout.
Some tiles are naturally more slippery than others. That's because some tiles are very smooth, and others are rougher. Glazed porcelain and polished marble are examples of slicker materials. Slate and terracotta are typically more textured materials.
Experts rate the slip factor of tiles with a measurement called dynamic coefficient of friction (DCOF). You can compare the DCOF rating of two different tiles to see which one provides more traction.
Tiles used in wet areas should have a DCOF measure of 0.42 or greater. In some outdoor settings, the minimum DCOF increases to 0.6 or higher.
You can learn more about DCOF and other matters related to slip-resistance in the following video:
Some manufacturers produce texturized sealants that can be applied to tile floors. These finishes typically dry clear and don't significantly change the appearance of tiles. Even still, they effectively increase the grip of a tile floor and reduce the likelihood that people will fall.
All three of these factors — grout, DCOF rating and a texturizing finish — can contribute to a mosaic floor that's not especially slippery.
The benefit of grout lines for slip resistance is especially pronounced when it comes to mosaics. Since the individual tiles are each so small, there's plenty of grout to break up the smooth tile design. You may find that mosaics are one of the best choices for tile floors in damp areas.
For increased traction, mosaics can be arranged using tiles with a sufficient DCOF rating. Sometimes, it's easy to tell the DCOF rating of a tile variety, but not all manufacturers are forthcoming with that information. Fortunately, if you go through a tile professional, the experts will be able to help you select the right varieties.
Your mosaic floor may also benefit from the added protection of a texturized sealant. Your tile professional can provide advice about whether that's a good option for your home.
In rooms where the floor often gets wet, being careful about slipperiness is especially important.
The bathroom is one of the top places where you need to keep this issue in mind. It's common for bathroom floors to be covered in splashes or puddles. Slip-resistant mosaic tiles will help protect your family's safety.
The kitchen is another area where safety is a top priority. As in the bathroom, spills and splashes are common on kitchen floors.
Rain and snow can make outdoor tiles slippery. Also, because you can track the elements indoors, it's important to think about reducing slips and falls in entryways as well.
No matter what material is on them, stairs can be one of the most hazardous spots in the home. If yours are covered with tiles, it's essential to choose a variety that will reduce the chance of a fall. You should also use anti-slip tiles on any inclined surfaces or ramps.
Of course, if you have a swimming pool, whether indoors or out, be sure to use non-slip tiles in and around it, too!
For some people, focusing on nonslip tiles in those areas alone isn't enough. For example, if anyone indoor house has mobility issues or is getting along in years, it's smart to make sure all tile floors in your home are slip-resistant. Families with young kids who bustle from one room to the next may want to do the same.
Are mosaic floors slippery? By now, you know that mosaic patterns are naturally slip-resistant because of their many grout lines. You also know that some tile materials provide additional slip protection.
A tile professional can help you pick the safest flooring for your home. For guidance with your next anti-slip mosaic tile project, give Artsaics a call. Our tile artisans are families with a wide variety of tile styles. We'll partner with you to create a design for your home that is both safe and beautiful.
Mosaic designs are an inspired choice for floors – and one that may not occur to you as you style your home. Durable, non-fading, and luxurious, mosaic art has infinite options. It’s also practical! Our customers are sometimes curious about how well our mosaics will perform on their floors – asking if mosaic floors are slippery like some other surfaces.
The short answer: No! Mozaico follows an age-old tradition of creating beautiful mosaic art that stands up to foot traffic, temperature changes, and water – all while remaining safe underfoot. Our products allow you to experience pure design perfection on all types of surfaces in your home or business – with no fear of slip hazards.
Throughout the world, you’ll find mosaic floors in the finest hotels and public spaces. When architects and interior designers specify products that meet safety standards, they know that products like our mosaic designs are ideal.
United States ADA Standards are one way to assess floor safety and slip resistance. General Flooring Guidelines from the organization define a stable surface as: “One that remains unchanged by contaminants or applied force so that when the contaminant or force is removed, the surface returns to its original condition. A slip-resistant surface provides sufficient frictional counterforce to the forces exerted in walking to permit safe ambulation.
In other words, surfaces such as our mosaic tile artwork meet these requirements with their durable tiles – they can be cleaned to remove any liquids, dirt, or other materials, and don’t compress or change shape under pressure or foot traffic. The area under foot remains safe and non-slippery, even when under water – such as in pools or spas.
Another gold standard for determining slip resistance is DCOF ratings. The Dynamic Coefficient of Friction of Hard Surface Material is utilized by the American National Standards Institute, Inc. (ANSI). This examines real-world slip risk in a variety of situations, including wet areas such as showers and bathrooms, swimming pool ramps and decks, and more. It’s the official test method in at least 49 nations, including the USA. Unglazed mosaics, known as Surface 5 in their assessments, is one of the highest-scoring floor surfaces for slip resistance. Mosaic scores an average 0.63 DCOF rating – well above the recommended standard of 0.42 for safety!
Image source: Mozaico
How do mosaics achieve their favored status? It’s a combination of materials, craftsmanship, and a commitment to longevity. In addition to the slip-resistant properties of the mosaic tiles we use in our mosaic designs, every Mozaico artwork is built on a strong, tough fiber mesh. This maintains the integrity of the design and prevents issues with individual tiles popping loose – also meeting the ADA standards for durability.
Image Source: Mozaico
Unlike smooth, solid surfaces, mosaic art contains more tesserae (individual tile pieces) than you’d like to count. (Go ahead, if you’d like, but even our octopus friend here has thousands of marble mosaic tiles!) Each hand-placed element creates a safe walking surface – and a stunning customized look, in this case.
Image source: Mozaico
From elaborate accents to simple backgrounds, mosaic art is unparalleled for achieving unique effects in demanding environments. Cool, durable surfaces provide slip-proof textures and coverings for everything from tabletops to pools.
Image source: Mozaico
Your imagination shouldn’t be contained – mosaic art can be customized to fit within other types of flooring as an accent. Odd shapes? Stunning color choices? The world is literally at your feet! Our design team can work with your exact specifications, creating dream environments for any space.
Image source: Mozaico
Mosaic rugs and floor accents are impervious to spills, delightful to walk on, and stunning. Polished granites, marbles, and semiprecious stones bring a sense of luxury to any type of decor style, just as they’ve done for centuries.
Image source: Mozaico
Tailor-made solutions from our artists are filled with the infinite possibilities of mixing materials and color. Non-slip mosaic surfaces work for seating, counters, and more.
Image source: Mozaico
Patterns and shapes can enliven bathrooms and other damp environments – adding a strong punch of design savvy to even smaller rooms.
Image source: Mozaico
Curious about how the beauty of mosaic art can transform your floors and more with glorious, non-slip surfaces filled with pattern and color? Try our fun new Mosaic Finder!
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Contact us to discuss your requirements of Mosaic Bathroom Tile. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.