What is a Mosaic Tile?

A mosaic tile is a small tile, typically under 50mm in any dimension, usually supplied on a mesh backing sheet. The term covers a range of shapes including squares, rectangles, hexagons, and irregular shapes, in ceramic, porcelain, glass, stone, or metal.

Mosaic tiles are used for feature walls, shower niches, splashbacks, and pool surrounds. The small format and mesh backing make them flexible enough to apply to curved surfaces, which larger tiles can't do. We see glass mosaic tiles used a lot in kitchen splashbacks where the reflective surface adds light and depth.

The main maintenance consideration with mosaic tiles is the grout. More tiles means more grout lines, which means more surface area for mould and discolouration to develop. We'd suggest sealing the grout in any mosaic tile application in a wet area.

See mosaic tile options at the Buildmat Selection Centre.