When choosing the design of the bathroom, it is worth paying special attention to both style and beauty in the finished version and the practical side of the finishing material used. Glass mosaic has all the necessary properties for use in the interior of the bathroom, and through its varieties it is easy to divide a small room into several active zones.
Content
Types of mosaics, their advantages and disadvantages
The mosaic first appeared several centuries ago in the form of various sizes and color of pebbles, had a fairly narrow area of \u200b\u200bapplication. As society develops and the development of previously unknown raw materials resources, new types of mosaics began to be created, expanding the scope of their use. There are currently 4 types of mosaics:
1. Ceramic mosaic - in structure does not differ from ordinary ceramic tiles and is made by firing clay. The only difference is size. Ceramic mosaic is available 2 types:
- employed - has a smooth surface and increased moisture resistance;
- non -eyed - characterized by a relief surface, stains, the presence of specially created cracks or interspersed of an outsider, low moisture resistance.
Ceramics mosaic is represented by rectangular, square modules that facilitate the cladding of surfaces indoors, facades of buildings.
Advantages of ceramic mosaics:
- high fire resistance;
- wide tinted spectrum;
- good strength to point exposure;
- resistance to most chemical compositions;
- resistance to abrasive abrasion;
- low waterwork.
Flaws:
- porosity;
- the average cost relative to other types of mosaics.
2. Stone mosaic - is carried out by sawing large sizes of stones on smaller elements, as suitable as possible to create a certain type of matrices. If necessary, the stones are subject to grinding, polishing or artificial “aging”. The mosaic of this species is represented by chips round or irregular shape. The main purpose is the cladding of steps, walls indoors, facades of buildings. For the manufacture of mosaics are used:
- natural stones, among which marble, travertine, jasper, lapis lazuli, onyx;
- artificial stones - production is based on combining elements of a broken mirror with granite, marble.
The advantages of stone mosaics:
- high fire resistance;
- environmentally friendly material;
- aesthetics;
- durability;
- lack of temporary deformation;
- moisture resistance;
- a wide variety of color shades;
- resistance to chemical exposure, temperature changes.
Flaws:
- exposure to artificially produced stones abrasive exposure;
- pretty high cost.
3. Metal mosaic is obtained as a result of gluing stainless metal plates on the front side of the ceramic mosaic, a rubber or plastic base. To give a shade, a relatively small layer of bronze, brass is applied to the metal. In this case, the surface can be matte, shiny or embossed. Chips for creating metal mosaics are characterized by a wide selection of geometrically correct and irregular shapes.
Pros of metal mosaics:
- high resistance to wear;
- resistance to mechanical damage;
- moisture resistance;
- high strength.
Cons:
- oxidizes with chemical exposure;
- limited color palette;
- the possibility of changing color shade over time;
- low cost.
4. Glass mosaic - is produced by a melt of Venetian glass or siliceous sand with the addition of cadmium, adventurine, boron and other elements, based on the need to obtain a particular color shade. The shape of the modules is represented in the form of an oval, a square, a rectangle, but sometimes you can find elements of irregular shape.
The advantages of glass mosaics:
- a variety of different shades;
- resistance to chemicals;
- immunity to sharp temperature fluctuations;
- high impact resistance;
- resistance to mold, fungus, spots;
- water resistance;
- heat resistance;
- ultraviolet resistance;
- high wear resistance;
- durability;
- simplicity of care;
- democratic cost.
Flaws:
- complexity of installation;
- instability to abrasive wear;
- relative resistance to sharp spotlights;
- the damaged area is difficult to replace.
Thus, any type of mosaic is suitable for the interior of the bathroom. However, a special preference, due to the mass of quality characteristics and relatively low cost, should be given to glass mosaic and its subspecies, with which truly unique masterpieces are created.
Glass mosaic
Features of the mosaic of various manufacturers
The main manufacturers of glass mosaics are Italy (Trend, Bisazza), Spain (Ezarri), China (Zaijian, Rose Jnj), Germany (Folia,). Of course, the Chinese mosaic is somewhat inferior to the quality of Italian manufacturers, as evidenced by the cost of 1 m². Another distinctive feature of the mosaic from China is the width of the seam, which is 2 mm. While the Italian and German mosaics, it is 1 mm.
However, the mosaic of glass China is in great demand than Italian, due to minor differences and an acceptable price.
Forms and sizes of mosaics
Glass mosaics are produced in various sizes. Moreover, the smaller the size of the module, the more expensive the cost of the finished matrix. However, small fragments are very convenient to facing oval, curved surfaces or shallow niches in the wall.
The forms of glass mosaics are represented by a variety of figures - ovals, rectangles, squares, circles, stab forms with uneven edges that open before designers all prospects for creating unique interior solutions.
Types of mosaic matrices
The mosaic goes on sale by both separate modules and ready -made matrices. At the same time, the front side of the module has an even surface, and the opposite with small grooves for better adhesion of the material to the base in the laying process.
Matrices stand out 2 types:
1. Glass mosaic on paper is a more common option. In this case, laying is carried out by the back surface, since paper is fixed on the front part. After installation, the paper is removed, and the seams are wiped.
Pros:
- the impossibility of deformation of the width of the seam between the modules;
- high adhesion between the material and the base;
- ease of installation, especially when facing uneven surfaces;
- low cost.
Cons:
- in the process of buying, there is no way to check the front surface for defects.
2. Glass mosaic on the grid is mainly produced by expensive collections represented by adventurine, mother of pearl, since in the production of this type of mosaic there is a large percentage of rejection.
Pros:
- the possibility of checking the defectiveness of the front side of the matrix.
Cons:
- relative adhesion of mosaics with the base;
- complexity of installation for an unprepared person;
- the possibility of changing the inter -seam;
- high cost.
Based on the destination of the mosaic, the facing of a one or another type of matrix depends.
Varieties of glass mosaics
The popularity of glass mosaics entailed the development of new ideas regarding the combination of glass with other elements. The following types of glass mosaics are produced today:
- Small mosaic - characterized by the opacity of the tiles with the effect of the inner glow and a wide range of saturated colors that have no white inclusions. At the same time, the module with the same shade on one sheet is quite difficult to find. It is widely used in places of intensive patency, for example, for floor cladding, corridors. The only difference between the brush and glass is immunity to abrasive damage.
- The monophonic mosaic is represented by a variety of shades and the homogeneity of the structure without any divorces, interspersed of extraneous shades. The greatest demand is to create mosaic mixtures or stretch marks, as well as in the manufacture of glass mosaic paintings as the main background.
- Stretch marks - are made by smooth flow of dark shades to lighter or vice versa. In the creation of stretch marks, all varieties of glass mosaics are used.
- Mosaic mixtures - are achieved by a combination of plain mosaic modules using a different percentage of shades included in this mixture.
- With the addition of adventurers - is released by shimmering point interspersed, obtained by interfering in the glass mass of pre -prepared adventurine powder. It looks very original with well -set light. It is suitable not only for the bathroom, but also for the kitchen, bedroom, living room.
- With the addition of iridium (pearl effect) - with well -arranged lighting, the bathroom will shimmer with all the shades of the rainbow. Moreover, if you look at the lined mosaic from various corners of the room, the colors will differ. However, more than two shades in one color spectrum for decoration, for example, do not need to use baths.
- Under gold - achieved by additives of metal oxides in any shade of the available color scheme.
- Sparkling mosaics - luxurious shades at a low price can only be compared with a mosaic under gold.
- Golden mosaic - represents a piece of gold rolled to foil, which is laid on a small layer of glass, followed by filling with a thicker layer.
- Mirror mosaic - is carried out by dividing into the modules of a conventional mirror (silver or gold) with the subsequent combination of glass mass and mirror. It looks very advantageous when decorating a wall site, columns.
Quite often, when designing a bathroom, a combination of various types of glass mosaics is used.
Options for using glass mosaics in the interior of the bathroom
A great variety of species, sizes, shapes and tint palette of glass mosaics endow the designers with stunning capabilities that allow you to transform the room beyond recognition.
Often, the full cladding of the bathroom using a mosaic is very expensive.
However, a harmonious combination of glass mosaics with any decorative materials allows you to revive the interior of the bathroom even partial cladding of individual elements.
Combining ceramic tiles with mosaics
- Frame for the mirror. A wide frame, made of contrasting mosaic color relative to wall tiles, looks quite spectacular around the mirror. However, the color scheme should be in harmony with the shades available in the decor.
- Shelves, niches in the bathroom. The miniature of the mosaic modules can easily be lined with small, inaccessible places. This will cost inexpensively, but the bathroom will shine, as after repair.
- Bathroom screen. Having chosen the tile of a glass to the tone of the lined tile and diversifying it with other textured combinations, you can achieve a visual increase in space, albeit insignificant. As an addition, you can linen the walls around the perimeter of the room to the height of the screen.
- Apron above the sink. It is laid out either to the base of the mirror, or throughout the wall, focusing initial attention on this section of the decor.
- Frames of the window, doorway. It is designed similarly to the mirror frame, visually increasing the window or input space.
- Box, columns. The contrasting mosaic significantly revives the design of the bathroom, while plumbing pipes hidden in the box will not irritate so much with their wretchedness and inappropriate location.
Creation of special effects
Through mosaic technology, it is easy to achieve special effects when:
- the room of the room merges together;
- the impression of the seabed is created;
- the bathroom space visually increases;
- the bathroom shines with all the colors of the rainbow.
Additional decoration of mosaics by ornamental panel
Quite original, stylish and modern, a bathroom is decorated with various types of glass mosaic in combination with a wall panel, made by a set of smalt modules.
Qualitatively executed panels become the main element of the decor, invariably attracting with its effect.
In addition to the design of the bathroom, a glass mosaic for the kitchen takes on an important value.
Quite often, mosaic finishes are used to decorate countertops, walls above the table, adding freshness of the tinted spectrum to the interior and charming with table or wall paintings made of glass mosaics.
Thus, a huge tinting assortment of various types of glass mosaics photos of which are presented in the article, allows you to create unique artisan masterpieces, which depend largely on the fantasies of the designer and their own plans.
