Reusing Broken Ceramic Tiles to Create a Mosaic

There is an art to reusing ceramic tile to create a mosaic. By definition a mosaic is a picture or decoration made of small pieces of inlaid glass or stone. A mosaic is a great project for reusing ceramic tile that can help you express your artistic side, or as a project for the entire family.

You can create mosaics on just about any type of flat surface. Tables, walls, and even patio decks can be places where you can put together incredible art through reusing ceramic tiles. There are two different ways to make a mosaic with ceramic tiles. They are both very similar in a lot of respects, but differ in the way that the ceramic tiles are applied. Here are some tips for reusing ceramic tiles for your next mosaic.

Preparing Your Ceramic Tiles

Using the definition of a mosaic means that you need to use small pieces. That equates to breaking up the ceramic tile. The great thing about this is that if you have a little bit of stress built up from a hectic day, you can let some of it out while smashing the tile. Safety, of course, is always important when preparing the tile for your ceramic.

Another point to remember is that you do not want to go that crazy while breaking up the tile. If you smash it too much, the pieces will be too small to use. Also, they do not need to be square. Irregular shapes are prefect for mosaics.

Get a Pattern

Before you start, you should have at least some sort of design to work from. If you have one in your mind then draw it out and copy it to the size of your mosaic. You can now trace it onto you base as a pattern to work from.

The Direct Method

The direct method of using ceramic tile is when you affix the tesserae to the base using mortar and grout. The tesserae is anything that you make the mosaic out of, in this case, the pieces of ceramic tile. This direct method is the method of choice when laying the tesserae to the base right side up. You can butter each piece with some mortar, or other adhesive, and then affix the piece onto the base according to your pattern. This direct method should be used if you have different sizes of broken ceramic tile that you are reusing.

The Indirect Method

The indirect method of reusing ceramic tile to create a mosaic involves making the mosaic upside down on a piece of adhesive paper. You lay out the tiles according to the pattern, but they are all face down. The grout is then laid out on the base. By taking the corners of the adhesive paper you flip the mosaic over and onto the grout. Once it has dried, you lift off the adhesive paper. This works well when you take your time or the ceramic tile is colored on both sides.