What is the easiest way to lay down 1×1 in. squares I’ll cut and install on a round ,curved wall of the seating area in my master shower plan…? You see I cut the tiles like a mosaic so that I can turn on the curbs of this seat…Now what would be the easiest way to lay them down without doing them one at a time..? Can I glue them all down to some fiber mesh or something…?
Edited 4/1/2002 11:53:27 PM ET by hoofhearted
Replies
I know there are mesh products for this. I haven't used them myself so I'll defer to someone else on that. Are the 1X1's just going on the curves? If so, it seems like it would be just as easy to put them in one at a time anyway. I've done mosaic insets like that: hung the field tiles first, drew plumb lines and then horizontals as a guide, and then worked from the center out. It's fun.
I would like to suggest, though, that if you're cutting 4x4 field tiles to 1x1's for the seat, be sure to polish down the little cut edges well. Otherwise, sitting down on that seat could be painful!
"A completed home is a listed home."
Edited 4/2/2002 1:48:37 AM ET by Lisa L
It's been a long time since I did any tile work, but curves are tricky w/1x1s if you need to make cuts.
One thing I've seen done is add extra thinset, and make a smaller grout joint at each side of the bend, but I don't know if this is approved these days or would work w/your project.
You might also consider foregoing the extreme curve aspect, and maybe putting in quarter-round at the joint (that, if using your 1x1's, you would otherwise have to cut). You can still have a very curved effect, and it's not likely anyone will be sitting their b u t t on the 1/4 round.
It may well be very diff now, but in the days I was doing this type of work, cutting 1x1's and making them look good was not for the novice w/the best of saws.
And, like Lisa said, file those edges!
(Also, too much of a curve tends to "force" folks off the edge of a ledge/seat.)
Best wishes! Wish I were still in the trade some days!
Get some flywire of whatever size you want to lay out on. Place on some greaseproof paper. Glue your tiles on with either silicone or thinset. Wait to dry. Comb walls and apply as normal tiles on mesh.