Special tiles

Common issues and queries you can face

Mosaics

Mosaic tiles are made out of a variety of materials such as glass or natural stone and can be supplied in a variety of shapes and sizes. Mosaics are supplied on sheets for an easy fixing. The sheets are usually supplied in two forms, faced down on paper and faced up on a synthetic mesh. Each of these two forms requires a slightly different application technique.

If the mosaic tiles are supplied with a synthetic mesh, the mesh and the mesh resin glue should not cover more than 25% of the back of the tile (Acc. To British standard BS 5385) otherwise it could affect the final adhesion.

As there are no standards for meshed backed tiles, always check the quality of the mesh before beginning application.

Look for the following information before applying mosaic tiles:

-         The composition of the mesh resin/glue.

-         The appropriate type of tile adhesive that tiles are to be installed with.

-     Type of backing used may have a significant impact on the performance in different environments like external or wet applications or in areas where there is thermal movement.

Glass mosaic tiles are better applied with white tile adhesive so that it does not stain the mosaics or appear in transparency.

Metal tiles

Metal tiles come mainly in two forms, either sheet metal or metal formed around a solid background, such as tile backer board or wood (MDF). 

Such tiles are often pressed to have a textured surface, which may cause some problems when grouting. 

Do not confuse ceramic tiles with an metallic effect with real metallic tiles. 

If the mosaic squares are not well bonded with mesh and the tile adhesive does not have sufficient contact with the back of the mosaic pieces, there might be deboning risk, especially if the mosaics are placed under severe constraints (swimming-pools, etc...).

Resin tiles

Resin tiles come in different designs, shapes, and sizes. 

Nearly any design can be made with different features for houses or commercial projects. 

Resin tiles are sensitive to moisture and can be very smooth and difficult to adhere.

Step by step solution

weber solution

  1. Substrate preparation

    The substrate must be clean and sound with enough resistance to ensuring good adhesion between the tiles and the substrate.

    Take into consideration that the adjustment of tiles should not exceed the adhesive open time. 

    Special tiles such as mosaics, glass mosaics, metal tiles and resin tiles require special tile adhesives and preparation.

  2. Tile adhesive

    Glass and resin tiles have very smooth and non-porous backs that are difficult to adhere. In this case, a highly polymer-modified adhesive such as or webercol flex, webercol max, webercol premium, webercol fast, webercol F1, webercol plus  or webercol epo plus is recommended. 

    Apply webercol flex, webercol max, webercol fast, webercol F1, webercol plus  or webercol epo plus  evenly on the substrate. Use a suitable notched trowel to have a uniform thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm. Apply the mosaics on the substrate and press them firmly.

  3. Tile grouting

    Grouting should be done at least 24 hours after fixing tiles, using weberjoint deco or weberjoint perfect or weberepox easy. Joints should be free from any dirt or excess of tile adhesive before applying the tile grout. weberjoint glitter will give an exceptional metallic effect between tiles, especially mosaics (suitable only for internal walls).