1. The area of the mosaic = L x W
2. The thickness of the tiles
3. The gaps between the tiles

If the tiles are spaced with all gaps under 1/4″, then you should be able to cover the entire mosaic of 18″ x 18″ with 2 lbs of grout. This is assuming your tiles are under 3/8″ thick.

Note that a standard grout gap is 1/16″. If you keep your grout gaps small and uniform like this, you will use less grout, and it will be easier to grout. If your grout gaps are wider than 1/8″, then it is difficult to wipe away the excess grout without eroding the grout from between the tiles.

You should choose a grout color which contrasts the colors of the mosaic tiles so that the design is highlighted. Otherwise, the individual tiles are lost to the eye, and the mosaic looks more like an ordinary picture and less like a mosaic made from pieces. We avoid situations like gray grout with gray tile. A nice red-brown grout works better in that instance. The key concept is color contrast.

If your mosaic is in a wet location and the grout is used to actually seal out water, then you will need to use a grout remover tool such as we sell to remove the grout and regrout with another color. However, there is an easier fix for indoor mosaics where water isn’t an issue.

Grout can crack for a number or reasons:

1. If the backer is thin enough to flex slightly, even a minuscule amount.
2. If the grout was allowed to dry out while it was trying to cure. Grout curing is a hydration reaction, not dehydration, and water is being chemically bound. Sometimes bare wood can suck the moisture out of the grout, but usually, there is enough glue on the wood to prevent this. Misting can help, but misting sometimes leaches the color out of the grout.
3. Using unsanded grout. Unsanded grout should only be used to fill hairline cracks. Normal grout gaps of 1/8″ require sanded grout for adequate strength.

We recommend, use thinset for attaching and grouting. It never cracks and has polymers added to allow it to flex slightly without cracking.

You should read and follow the instructions on the package for mixing, handling, and disposal. In brief, thinset is like grout and other concrete products. This means that the best place to mix them up is outside, and you should wear a dust mask if have trouble mixing it up without creating a lot of dust.

You should mix up about 1 or 2 pounds at a time and smear it on the wall with a small trowel or putty knife and spread it out to about 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick and press my mixed materials directly into the concrete. You should wear rubber examination gloves and keep a damp rag so you can wipe away any excess that squeezes up to the face of the tiles. If you keep the concrete in the bucket covered so that it doesn’t dry out, then it should stay workable for several hours. You should keep a small bucket with a little water and rag to clean my hands from time to time and a dry rag in my lap.

The best method is to adapt how much thinset you spread as you go along, for each piece or a small set of pieces. Be careful about using too much thinset, as it will squeeze to the surface of the objects and make a mess. As you are working, you will probably develop a rhythm in relation to the different pieces and their sizes relative to the amount of thinset you need. Also, when grouting, instead of trying to rub in then wipe off the grout, the typical method for flat tile, fill in the voids selectively with a grouting bag.

Calculating Backsplash square feet:

• Divide the backsplash into sections or pieces.
• Draw a rectangle(s) that cover the backsplash pieces.
• Calculate the square feet of each rectangle. To do this, multiply the length by the width (in inches) and divide by 144.
• Total the square feet of all the rectangles.

Sample :

• 18” X 20” = 360 360/144=2.5 sq.ft
• 36” X 24” = 864 864/144=6 sq.ft
• 44” X 18” = 792 792/144=5.5 sq.ft

Total 14 sq.ft

ADD 10% TO ALLOW FOR CUTTING ERRORS, breakages, and a few spares. Example: If you have 20 SQ.FT area backsplash area, order 22 sq.ft tiles “+ 2 sq.ft an additional allowance for breakage curves or corners. if you plan to install the tile diagonally or in an area that has lots of jogs, curves or corners. These configurations require more cuts and therefore more waste. Please order 15% more.

There are two ways.

1. This is the simplest way. It is to mark the tiles and then cut them with couple of different types hand cutters. For the stone, ceramic or porcelain tiles, use standard tile nippers. For the glass tiles, switch over to a wheeled glass mosaic tile cutter.
2. Use a wet saw with a diamond blade to cut through the tiles.

Our return policy does not apply to return or exchange for FULL SIZE SAMPLE or SMALL SIZE SAMPLE.

Please click the link for our return policy : READ RETURN POLICY

Natural stone is a product of nature and is, therefore, subject to natural variation of color, shading, veins and texture from piece to piece. Shade variation is an inherent characteristic of natural stone. No two stones will ever be the same. Samples sent by us are intended to be average representations of the product only. In some instances, samples may display natural color variation from the actual product.

Please click below link how to install tile : HOW TO INSTALL TILE

The majority of our orders are boxed and shipped by FEDEX GROUND. Small samples are shipped by USPS. Ensuring your order arrived on time and undamaged is our number one priority. 99.9% of all material arrives in perfect condition.

The majority of our orders are boxed and shipped by FEDEX GROUND. Small samples are shipped by USPS. Ensuring your order arrived on time and undamaged is our number one priority. 99.9% of all material arrives in perfect condition.

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