Guide to Mosaic Tiles
Mosaic tiles are small tiles (typically 20-50mm) mounted on mesh-backed sheets for easy installation. They are popular for feature walls, splashbacks, shower floors, and decorative borders. The mesh backing means you lay one sheet at a time rather than individual tiles, making installation much faster than it would otherwise be.
Common Mosaic Sizes
| Tile Size | Tiles per Sheet | Sheets per m² | Individual Tiles per m² |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 x 20mm | ~196 | ~11 | ~2,066 |
| 23 x 23mm | ~144 | ~11 | ~1,521 |
| 25 x 25mm | ~121 | ~11 | ~1,372 |
| 48 x 48mm | ~36 | ~11 | ~384 |
| 50 x 50mm | ~36 | ~11 | ~356 |
Mosaic Tile Materials
- Glass mosaic: Stunning visual effect, waterproof, easy to clean. £30-100/m². Popular for splashbacks and feature walls
- Ceramic mosaic: Most affordable, wide colour range. £15-40/m². Good for walls and light-use floors
- Porcelain mosaic: Durable, frost-proof, suitable for floors. £25-60/m²
- Natural stone mosaic: Marble, travertine, slate. Luxurious look. £40-120/m². Needs sealing
- Metal mosaic: Stainless steel, copper, or aluminium. £50-150/m². Feature walls only
Installation Tips
- Use a white flexible adhesive for glass and light-coloured mosaic (grey shows through)
- Apply adhesive with a 3mm notch trowel — too much adhesive squeezes up between tiles
- Press sheets firmly with a grout float or rubber roller for even contact
- For shower floors, use epoxy grout and ensure proper tanking membrane underneath
- Cut mosaic sheets with scissors (the mesh) and individual tiles with nippers or a wet saw
Frequently Asked Questions
25x25mm: ~1,372 tiles (11 sheets). 48x48mm: ~384 tiles (11 sheets). Sheets are 300x300mm (0.09 m² each).
Divide area by 0.09 (for 300x300mm sheets). Add 10-15% wastage. For 5m²: 56 sheets + 10% = 62 sheets.
1.5-2.0 kg/m² for 25x25mm tiles. A 5kg bag covers only 2.5-3.5 m² of mosaic.
Yes — the many grout lines provide grip. Use tanking membrane, flexible adhesive, and epoxy grout.