Black Mosaics - Porcelanosa Black Mosaics - Porcelanosa Black Mosaics - Porcelanosa

Black Mosaics

Compositions formed from small pieces that add energy and richness to any space

Black Mosaics

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Mosaics

One of the most special and characteristic wall tile options is to use mosaics. Their irregular finish and range of combinations create interesting spaces that are full of nuance, reflections and unique variations.

Texture and movement in different materials

Mosaics made of natural materials bring texture to walls and contribute to a pleasing sense of motion. They are made from a wide range of materials, selected from the best and most beautiful raw materials. Produced in countless colours and in different materials such as wood, stone, ceramic, glass or metal, the hundreds of available tiles can be found in different formats: square, hexagonal, rectangular or even in arrowhead or diamond shapes. There are also mosaics that combine materials, series that work with brushed surfaces, different heights and pieces that unite matte and gloss-finish tiles, multiplying decorative options and giving rise to very different interiors.

They are commonly used to cover bathroom spaces thanks to their fresh appearance and dynamism and, more specifically, to dress walls that house the shower space, where the richness of the mosaic invokes traditional Greco-Roman baths. Each material used to produce the mosaic tiles adds different subtleties to the decoration. Natural wood mosaics stand out for their three-dimensional volume while glass mosaics stand out for the brightness they give off. Stone mosaics highlight the sobriety and modernity of spaces, and metal mosaics play with light to help create a dramatic appearance. All overcome the barrier of linear designs and create an interesting combination of lights, shadows and relief.

FAQs regarding Mosaics

Depending on the material the mosaics are made of, the following tools are recommended:

  • Stone - suitable stone cutters with water-cooled discs should be used.
  • Glass: when working with glass, the following safety instructions must be observed:
  • For small cuts and clipping, we recommend using special Butech tile nippers for glass mosaic tiles. 
  • Dry cuts should be made using a SIGMA machine, specifically designed for cutting glass mosaic tiles. 
  • Whole pieces should be cut with a Butech watercooled, continuous crown diamond disc tile cutter specifically designed for glass. To prevent breakage, after marking the required cuts on the mosaics or glass with a pencil, use several increasingly deep radial cuts. 
  • To drill holes in glass tiles to hang mirrors, countertops, wall lights etc., we recommend using the Butech FLEX BHW 1549 VR drill with water supply and diamond drill bits. These drill bits must be water-cooled and are available in various diameters: 6, 8, 10 and 12mm.
  • Metal: suitable cutters should be used. Steel mosaic sheets should be cut using a radial steel disc.

In case of using epoxy grouts, clean the tiles with a sponge or damp cloth with a 50% mixture of clean water and methyl alcohol or use specific cleaners such as Butech's Epotech cleaner.

Once the tiles have been cleaned, wipe the joints with a dry cloth to avoid changes in tone from the surface moisture.

To grout the mosaics correctly, all the pieces must be perfectly clean and free of dust. Please refer to the technical data sheets on the L’Antic Colonial website www.anticcolonial.com, where the recommended adhesives for each model are detailed. Please take into account whether the tiles are to be laid in dry or damp areas. Unless indicated on the product sheet, we do not recommend installation in swimming pools.

Depending on the mosaic models, L‘Antic Colonial recommends one of the following Butech grouts:

  • COLORSTUK 0-4. COLORSTUK 0-4 is a CG 2 type fine grout, in accordance with EN 13888, for grouting joints up to 4mm.
  • Further information and application guidelines can be found on the Butech website www.butech.net.
  • COLORSTUK RAPID N. is a CG 2 type highperformance cement-based grout, in accordance with EN 13888, for grouting joints up to 15mm. Further information and application guidelines can be found on the Butech website www.butech.net.
  • COLORSTUK ESPECIAL N. is a CG 2 type very fine grout, in accordance with EN 13888, for grouting joints up to 4mm. Further information and application guidelines can be found on the Butech website www.butech.net.

To ensure mosaics are installed correctly, please refer to the technical data sheets on the L’Antic Colonial website www.anticcolonial.com, where the recommended adhesives for each model are detailed. Please take into account whether the tiles are to be laid in dry or damp areas. Unless indicated on the product sheet, we do not recommend installation in swimming pools.

Depending on the mosaic models, L‘Antic Colonial recommends one of the following Butech adhesives:

  • ONE-FLEX PREMIUM. ONE-FLEX PREMIUM is the latest generation C2 TE S1 type, single-component cement-based adhesive, in accordance with EN 12004, suitable for laying all types of ceramic tiles, mosaics and natural stone on the most common substrates used in construction. Further information and application guidelines on the Butech website www.butech.net.
  • SUPER-ONE N is a C2 FTE S1 type, high-performance cement-based adhesive in accordance with EN 12004, which can be walked on after 4 hours. Further information and application guidelines on the Butech website www.butech.net.
  • POLITECH PREMIUM. POLITECH PREMIUM is an easy to use and handle R2 T type reactive resin adhesive, in accordance with EN 12004, particularly recommended for maximum bonding strength and deformability. It is suitable for most wall tiles and substrates used in construction. Further information and application guidelines on the Butech website www.butech.net.
  • POLITECH N: POLITECH N. is a R2 T type two-component, polyurethane-based adhesive, in accordance with EN 12004, suitable for use on deformable subfloors. Further information and application guidelines may be found on the Butech website www.butech.net.

Ensure that the distance between each tile sheet is the same as between the mosaics, to create a uniform appearance with all joints the same distance apart. The adhesive must be left to dry for 24 hours before grouting.

At PORCELANOSA we always recommend using a qualified installer, preferably with demonstrable experience, to lay mosaic tiles.

That said, the main aspects to take into consideration when installing mosaic tiles are as follows:

  • Make sure the fixing surface is completely flat and stable and check that it is dry and clean of dust, grease or any other substance that can interfere with the adhesive's adhesion. Do not install on subfloors with a risk of rising damp as this could compromise the installation. In addition, check that it is properly plumb and level, with no deviations in flatness greater than 2 mm. In case of deviations greater than 2 mm, the use of specific products is recommended.
  • Materials used in the installation include mosaic tiles and fixing materials (adhesives and grouts), fillers etc. All of these should be in accordance with the technical specification required for the design, and the manufacturer’s guidelines should be followed. A perimeter joint of between 4-6mm is required.
  • The direction of the arrows on the back of each piece shows the direction for correct installation.
  • Please note that there may be variations in shade between different batches, as this is a natural product. We recommend checking the pieces before installation.
  • See the L'Antic Colonial website www.anticcolonial.com for recommendations on how to use each model.

The difficulty of installing a mosaic tile will depend on the pattern and design chosen. The more complex the design, the more difficult it is to install. We therefore recommend that you check the L'Antic Colonial website, where you will find detailed information on how to install each of the mosaics available.

Yes, mosaic tiles can be used on the floor, but only some of them. At PORCELANOSA we have a range of mosaics that can be used on both walls and floors. You can find them by filtering the mosaics available according to their installation type.

It depends on the mosaic pattern:

  • If the mesh contains gaps between the chips, the gaps between each piece should be the same as the gap between the chips on them.
  • If, on the other hand, the mosaic design don't have gaps between the chips and don’t require grouting, then spacers are not required, as each tile must be installed tightly together with no gaps.