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Bathrooms Remodeling Design Dilemma

Mosaic Tile Seam issue

2 years ago

Hello, I have a mosaic accent wall in the shower and it really does not look good. I’m trying to figure out the best path forward. Is this a setting issue or a tile issue?

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Comments (11)

Rachel Fisher
Original Author
2 years ago
Install issue or material issue* thanks in advance for the advice!
PRO
JAN MOYER
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Can't tell a thing from your picture. The whole back wall is mosaic? Get some light in there, and more pics
Related Discussions
lots of seams in niche...tile help!
Q
Comments (18)
Hey Mongoct, The left does overlap 2", it shoots around the corner about 1/4", you just can't see it from that angle. I usually won't have them that close to the corner but sometimes the framing absolutely dictates it. The kerdi does not drop 2" below the screws. I just don't do that, dunno why. Perhaps I should start. You have chosen the photo without the flaps done yet - they actually kick back a bit to cover those corners, just barely though. It is not a 2" overlap there in the corners. Everything around it is a 2" overlap. It is the same concept as an inside corner. There may be a 'pinhole', which is not really a 'hole', just a spot that doesn't overlap 2", doesn't mean it isn't waterproof. That is exactly how they did it at Schluter and that's how I do it. I will sometimes place extra squares there to cover those corners, just depends on how I feel about it. If they can waterproof a cardboard box in that manner I feel confident using it in a shower. I know you're not trying to pick on me :-), like you said there are several different ways to do it. I don't mean to sound defensive, these methods are simply how I do it. Everyone has their own way.
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Has anyone used glass mosaic tile from The Tile Shop?
Q
Comments (4)
I haven't used glass mosaic tile from The Tile Shop, but I did buy porcelain tile (that is supposed to look like marble) from them and didn't have any issues. I mixed in and ordered my glass mosaic tile from Overstock... No issues and looks great after a year and a half. I'm sure you'll be fine buying from The Tile Shop. Oh, and my shower floor and bathroom floor came from Lowes and no issues there either... But I wouldn't hesitate to buy from The Tile Shop.. Not unless you can find something similar for less. Believe me, I saw lots of glass tile that I loved at The Tile Shop, but couldn't fork over $25 a sq foot, so I found what I needed on Overstock for about $10-$12. Good Luck
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Crown to Cover 3" at ceiling? OR use Tile? Also mosaic or wall tile?
Q
Comments (27)
My personal preference is for wall tiles in the niche, and for the niche box itself to correspond directly with tile dimensions/grout lines (which is admittedly quite tricky to do at the construction stage, but aesthetically I just hate seeing niches randomly placed without reference to grout lines). Here is a recent project with 24x24 tiles (requiring one cut of the tile as a 24x24 niche would have been too tall). The niche is framed with Caesarstone pieces (this is my usual approach as I typically also use matching Caesarstone pieces on the top of the shower curb). Here is another example of mine, in this case with the niche framed in stock 'big box store' Carrara marble door thresholds. Again, the niche is the same size as the tile:
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What to do with uneven tiles in large seam area?
Q
Comments (8)
Oh dear. Poor subfloor prep ($150 for leveling = 2 bags of SLC over a LARGE square footage = almost none) added to LARGE FORMAT tiles (24" x 24" is LFT range which requires BIGGER grout lines) and grout size that is too small. Here's why I KNOW this concrete needed PLENTY of work as you stated, "... The subfloor is just foundation concrete that were poured all together with the rest of the rooms." Yep. as suspected, this is just a regular slab covered by carpet. This is exactly the type of concrete that MUST HAVE plenty of preparation. A good cleaning does NOT create a flat floor. I can guarantee the original tile had a decent amount of prep before those tiles were put down. And notice how nicely they were installed. That "flatness" comes from the PREPARATION of the slab....and a proper tile professional using proper grout lines. I'm going to guess the "tilers" (this is a title I hate to give this crew) did not use a leveling system. I'm also going to guess this crew does 'other things' and are not dedicated tile installers. And the MAIN reason why you need a "rip out and redo" is found in your own statement, "....the new tiles are all different heights (hence the range of un-eveness from 1/8 to 1/4 inch)." I'm sorry but this project just went from bad to worse. I suggest you purchase all new tiles and hire a professional, certified tile setter. Please don't touch the tile. Have the tile setter come in, have a look and then give you a quote for jacking out the tiles. S/he should do all the work. S/he needs to see how this thing was put in and with what material. The tile professional will then make all the arrangements for cleaning, preparing, grinding, filling/leveling the concrete slab and then installing the tiles PROPERLY.
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Melissa R
2 years ago
it's an install issue. you can see the problem with the floor too. on the floor all you see is the square sheet the tile was set on. the mesh sheets should, at minimum, be staggered and if possible some stones should be pulled off the sheet and laid individually to help it look "not square" lol.

did you pay someone to do this?
PRO
Skippack Tile & Stone
2 years ago
Sometimes clients think that mosaics are an easy install; they are not. You need a top notch tile installer to set these up properly. They should have been better mixed between the boxes as well, grout will not change anything.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
You needed a better tile setter and IMO you chose a very wrong tile for a shower wall all those grout lines will be a PITA to keep clean .
just_janni
2 years ago
Holy MOLY that's a lot of grout in a shower. Most people are trying to MINIMIZE grout and cleaning. Same for the floor - more grout, and I've never understood that bumpy stone floor look- I can't see it being comfortable on your feet or easy to squeegie and keep clean.

Ultimately - you CAN get mosaics to look right but it take a ton of skill and I really questions this application.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
Wow I blame the tile- the blend of colors is not consistent sheet to sheet. The tile setter tried to mitigate it by offsetting the sheets (versus installing on a grid) Where did you get the tile? Online, big box, or specialty tile store?
Rachel Fisher
Original Author
2 years ago
Speciality tile store. The brand is Jeffery Court
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
2 years ago
I really think that mosaic is too small--it looks pixelated.
PRO
HALLETT & Co.
2 years ago
I would get your salesperson involved then. Something was wrong with the tile. Generally installation is acceptance but this looks pretty egregious
Lafayette · More Info

. Mosaic glass tile from Oceanside Glass - no visible sheets. Different product than yours obviously but it can be done.
Kelly
2 years ago
Yeah with natural stone tile you have to be very purposeful in blending/placement, and it looks a little careless how there are big blocks of whiter mosaic. I think grout will help with color continuity but it won’t fix the blotchy install. When I buy marble tile I search all the boxes to get stone that matches so I have to worry less during install and get a more cohesive look

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