Outdoor Mosaics
Outdoor mosaic techniques for table tops, patio floors, fountains or birdbaths
For the most part, mosaic technique and the type of tile or stone will not be affected much by the decision to locate your mosaic outdoors. Our mosaic instructions are written for making indoor mosaics with small details. For this, we recommend the "glue-then-grout"
method using Weldbond glue, a water-based adhesive with no fumes. With proper grouting and sealing, these indoor mosaics
should last for generations, if not thousands of years. It is the same for outdoor mosaics-with the proper adhesive, grout and sealant, outdoor mosaics should be nearly as long-lasting as indoor. The most important fact to consider, however, is that mosaics for outdoor walls, patios, fountains, birdbaths and pools are more
vulnerable to
moisture penetration over time, so extra care should be taken in choosing the adhesive, as this is will determine, for the most part, the lasting quality of your mosaic.
Adhesive
Weldbond should be avoided, as well as all other water-soluable adhesives. While a solvent-based glue such as Liquid Nails can be used for mosaics on outdoor
walls, it is probably best to avoid glues altogether and use thinset bonding mortar to attach
the tiles, especially if the mosaic is in a pool, patio or
fountain. Thinset bonding mortars are a cement product. Currently, we use the
Versabond brand of thinset bonding mortar for outdoor mosaics. This thinset or another
brand should be available at most any building material store. Whether or not thinset
mortar is used the attach the tiles, you should grout and seal your mosaic as described
elsewhere in our instructions.To make an outdoor mosaic last, after the grout cures for 48 hours, seal the mosaic with tile and grout sealer from a local building material store.
Visit our page on mosaic glue for more detailed descriptions of the different adhesive options for mosaics and which environments adn materials they work best with. Also, illustrated instructions for using thinset mortars to attach glass mosaic tiles are
available from the Ceramic Tile Institute of America. These instructions were
written for sheets of mosaic tile mounted on paper, but can be used
for loose tiles or tiles mounted on mesh.
Grout
Ask questions at your local building material store when purchasing grout. You may also be able to pick up some additional tips for installing tile outdoors. Pay attention to the labels on the grouts and adhesives, as they usually have recommendations like "indoor use only" or "water-resistant for outdoor use." You will want to apply a sealant to the grout to offer extra protection against water penetration.
Visit our page on mosaic grout for estimating how much grout your project will need, choosing a color and answers to various other tile grouting questions.
Sealant
Grout on outdoor mosaics should be sealed for protection from dirt and weather. The two types of grout sealers are penetrating and membrane.
Penetrating sealant soaks into the grout fills in the spaces within the grout. They're usually made of latex or silicone, and help the grout resist dirt, grease and water. Membrane-forming sealers stay on the grout surface and create a hard, glossy finish. They may change the color of the grout.
Read the label on sealers. Most don't provide total protection in all conditions. Usually, the are used to "repel" or "resist" water and dirt. Look for "provides complete protection." TileLab SurfaceGard Penetrating Sealer made by Custom Building Products is a high-quality penetrating sealer. It's water based, easy to apply, cleans up easily, and repels dirt, water, oil and stains. When trying a sealer, let it dry for two hours and then apply a drop of water to a grout line. If the water beads instead of soaking in, the grout is adequately sealed. For all outdoor mosaics, two coats is probably essential.
Further Reading
We recommend the following book for more information on outdoor mosaics:
Outdoor Mosaic: Original Weather-Proof Designs to Brighten Any Exterior Space
by Emma Biggs, Tessa Hunkin
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