[jeffnc]

There's something with mosaics that I've always just taken for granted, and I just saw something in a video that was done differently. Check it out (I've preset the time to the relevant position.)


https://youtu.be/90hOLyi7PYI?t=190


So he's installing his mosaic sheet as is. Does anyone else do this? I would always cut that sheet flat first, and then install it flat to the border. Is there some benefit to doing it one way or another? Maybe depending on the type of pattern? I know this is a little detail, but I add these up to make my life easier :wink2:

 

[chandler48]

I do it like he did, using the entire sheet. Easier to make it perfectly level and plumb and I go back and piece in where needed. I also pull out pieces where receptacles go, cut them independently and replace them in the mix.

 

[jeffnc]

I do it like he did, using the entire sheet. Easier to make it perfectly level and plumb and I go back and piece in where needed. I also pull out pieces where receptacles go, cut them independently and replace them in the mix.

It's interesting you mention the latter, because I used to cut out the receptables like perfect rectangles. Now I find it easier to pull out all the mosaic pieces necessary to fit the sheet over the receptacle, and add in the cut pieces after. Rectangles in the field are difficult cuts.

However I'm still not seeing the benefit of doing that on the edges. Why do you find it's easier to make level? It seems a straight cut on the tile saw does the job.

 

[chandler48]

It seems a straight cut on the tile saw does the job.

It will, but, IMO, it wastes tile. Now what are you going to do with the tails you cut off? In reality, thinking on it, it could be a moot point, since you are actually achieving the same thing. If you can get a good cut without boogers on the edge of the tile, then your method would work. With mine, it seems a factory edge looks better. It may just be in perception.

 

[jeffnc]

But you don't really have a factory edge, because that "edge" is mostly made up of cut tiles that you placed in there. And you have to waste some time somewhere, because you have to get those cut tiles from somewhere.

 

[Brother Antioch]

I've always done it the way showed in the video, but for a reason not mentioned yet. When you cut one of the mosaic tiles in half, you'll lose around 1/8" from the middle. If I just cut a sheet in half, then the off-cuts are garbage. But by running full individual pieces through the saw, the off-cuts will fit nicely in the gap left by the full tiles, because they've already lost the equivalent of a joint line in height from the material removed by the saw.

Also, the time involved is a factor. It takes a lot more time to cut each individual sheet, wipe it, dry it, and then install it, than it does to set up your guide and slam through a couple dozen individual pieces culled from a single sheet or two.

As for it being an easy way to keep it level..."level" is just a matter of perception. No point in keeping a back splash perfectly level if the counter AND the uppers are both 1" out of level over 12', right?

Cheers,

BA.