An apron from a mosaic can be the very "highlight" of your kitchen, which will turn it from a comfortable, but faceless space into a room with an exclusive interior that reflects the interests and tastes of its owners. Of all the options for finishing the walls near the working area, this is perhaps the most interesting, giving designers unlimited possibilities in creating truly interesting artistic solutions.
Materials for the manufacture of aprons for the kitchen of mosaic can be used very different, from the traditional glass, used for many centuries, to modern plastic. There is one requirement for them: they must withstand specific conditions: high humidity, temperature changes, the action of aggressive media and harsh detergents. In accordance with these requirements, the materials for kitchen mosaic are basically the same as for tiles.
The size and shape of the mosaic for the apron in the kitchen
- The size. Ceramic tiles, as well as tiles from other materials for facing the working area in the kitchen, have dimensions, as a rule, not less than 10x10 cm, and more often use a larger, 20x20 cm. The size of a single mosaic element starts from 10 cm on one side, and further reduced to 1 cm. The most popular tiles for kitchen mosaic apron, having a size of 2 to 5 cm on one side.
- The form. The mosaic can be square, round, rhombic, trapezoidal, oval and even have the shape of irregular polygons. The more complex the shape of each element - the harder it will be to lay out the apron of the mosaic, so the most popular square tiles.
Mosaic for the kitchen is sold, as opposed to tile, not by separate elements, but by “matrices” - an already assembled mosaic of small elements is glued onto a suitable base. As a rule, the matrices have the shape of squares with a size of about 30 cm. Depending on the design and the manufacturer, the size may vary by a couple of centimeters, both in plus and in minus, which makes adjustments to the calculation of materials needed for lining.
Colors and shades of the elements of a mosaic apron
The variety of colors and shades of elements from which the mosaic is laid out is very large. You can find several dozen shades of the same color, different in saturation and tone.
Monochrome, that is, monochrome mosaic, assembled from tiles of the same color, of different degrees of saturation, is used in the form of "stretch marks" - stripes of the same color, gradually changing the intensity. More often they spread a multicolor mosaic, which is created using tiles of different colors, shades, and sometimes even textures and sizes.
Quite often you can see the sale of ready-made sets of elements deposited on a substrate and forming various patterns, this is quite a budget option. Assemble a mosaic panel to order according to your desire or a designer's sketch will be more expensive.
Important: The cost of a mosaic can be calculated per square meter, but it can also be indicated for one separate fragment, for example, for one matrix (usually 30x30 cm in size) or one "stretching" strip (usually 260x32 cm in size).
Mosaic Apron Design
Mosaic can put almost any picture. Decorate the kitchen with luxurious flowers, scenes of country life or abstract patterns - you need to decide in accordance with the style of the whole room and the desired effect. For example, a mosaic panel above the work surface may become the main decorative accent, and may have a supporting role, creating an unusual background for the demonstration of the latest innovations of kitchen appliances. The main disadvantage of mosaic design is a rather high price. But you can save by following the advice of experts:
- Use ready made mosaic sets. There are interesting options that combine elements from different materials, such as stone, metal and glass. The finished version is always cheaper exclusive.
- Watch for sales. At discounted prices, you can buy the remains of expensive high-quality mosaic, which is then combined in one way or another.
- Use the mosaic fragments as decoration, and lay out the rest of the apron with ordinary ceramic tiles.
- Instead of mosaic matrices, you can lay the wall surface “under the mosaic” - it looks not worse, but costs less, besides laying the mosaic in the kitchen is a more expensive process than laying the tile.
Important: Matrixes from a mosaic can be laid on a grid or on the basis from paper. They differ from each other by the installation method. When installing on the grid is applied glue and is mounted on the wall. The mosaic on paper is fixed to the wall with its free side, and the paper is then soaked and removed.
Glass mosaic apron
Glass is a very popular and relatively inexpensive material for making mosaics. Pieces of glass can be both transparent and frosted, to have almost any color. The most commonly used form of a square with a side of 1, 1.5 or 2 cm and a thickness of not more than 4 mm. Cooked mosaic glass of quartz sand, adding coloring agents - pigments. To enhance the shine, mother-of-pearl or aventurine is introduced into the glass melt. Additionally sometimes add decorative materials in the form of crumbs.
Manufacturers do not sell the mosaic as separate elements, but with matrices - assembled into squares with a side of about 30 cm sheets, ready to be fixed on the wall. Matrices can be monotonous, have monochrome gradient color transitions, but the most popular are the colored matrices and matrices that form a certain pattern.
The price of glass mosaic for the kitchen on the apron depends on the complexity of manufacturing its individual elements. The easiest way to do monochrome, dim colors - for example, beige. It is cheaper. The more colors and shades of the mosaic, the brighter they are, the more expensive the finished apron will be. Like any material, glass has its pros and cons when used as a wall covering in the kitchen.
pros
- The main advantage is affordability.
- In addition, it is a very practical and environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere.
- The smooth surface of the glass does not absorb dirt, does not allow bacteria and fungi to multiply, withstands long-term operation without loss of properties and appearance, despite the high humidity and temperature changes.
- In addition, pieces of glass of small size, fixed on the base, quite resistant to shocks, unlike other types of glass, for example, window.
Minuses
- In order for an apron made of glass mosaic to serve for a long time and not crumble on the desktop, it is required to lay it on a very high-quality glue, and reinforce the seams with a special grout. Materials are expensive, so installation will require serious expenses.
Installation
When installing special attention is paid to materials - glue and grout. It is preferable to choose the glue in white color - it will not affect the final result. This is especially important if at least part of the mosaic panel is composed of transparent or translucent elements. Colored glue is used if the mosaic for the kitchen is opaque and monochrome.
In order to properly secure a mosaic of glass on an apron, it is necessary to use glue with high adhesion - at least 20-28 kg per square centimeter. The fact is that glass has an absolutely smooth surface, to which other substances badly “stick”. This is a big plus - because it is easy to rub off dirt from it. But this is also a minus - it is difficult to fix it on the wall reliably enough.
The quality of the mosaic apron is also highly dependent on the quality of the grout. Choose those that are resistant to high humidity and corrosive environments. Considered the most suitable epoxy grout. They are more difficult to work, but very resistant to negative external conditions and have a high degree of adhesion.
Tip: A light gray shading is best suited to a colored mosaic - it will be almost invisible.
Ceramic mosaic apron
Instead of glass in the manufacture of mosaics, you can use ceramic mass - exactly the same as in the production of conventional tiles. It will have all the properties of the tile, with the exception of features due to the size of its constituent elements. Make a ceramic mass of clay with the addition of sand, pigments and other components that provide strength, color and ductility. Ceramics can be painted in any color, it practically does not fade, withstand harsh operating conditions. To care for her is easy and simple.
Ceramic mosaic on the apron of the kitchen for a long time will not lose its attractive appearance. The surface of each element is glazed, so dirt cannot penetrate into the pores of the material, which means that it will be easy to care for the apron.
Ceramic differs from glass mosaic in a more expressive texture, also in thickness - it cannot be less than 8 mm. This should be considered when planning repairs. Minus one - an apron made of ceramic mosaic will cost more than tiled, despite the fact that the material used for it is the same.
A mosaic of ceramics comes in sale with matrices - squares with a side of 30 cm. Moreover, each element can be from 1 to 10 cm along the side. Elements can be not only square in shape, triangles, octagons, hexagons (honeycombs) are very popular, as well as in the form of natural formations, for example, seashells or coastal pebbles. The surface can also imitate natural materials or artificial decorative effects, such as craquelure.
Mosaic stone on the apron
The strength and resistance of the stone to any impacts make it a unique material that has almost no equal. Stone mosaic for the kitchen is unusually aesthetic and gives the room solidity and exclusivity. To create it, use pieces of marble, limestone, tuff, travertine cuts. The most expensive mosaic is obtained from semi-precious stones - onyx, lapis lazuli, malachite. The surface of the stone is polished or left matte - depending on the designer's intention.
Which stone to prefer? Those that have a porous structure are not suitable - they will absorb kitchen odors and dirt, their care is very complicated, and such an apron will lose its appearance very quickly. Therefore, limestone or travertine for the kitchen is better not to use. Marble and granite are more dense materials, but they can also absorb dyes contained, for example, in carrot or beet juice.
In order to protect the stone from the penetration of foreign substances, it can be treated with a special impregnating compound. The peculiarity of the stone mosaic on the apron is fastening on the grid as a base. Other materials are not used for this.
Different manufacturers of matrix sizes may vary by one and a half to two centimeters, so carefully check the size of the selected matrix and calculate the required number, taking into account this real size! As a rule, stone elements are square with sides from 3 to 5 cm, but rectangles of different formats can also be found. Sometimes stone elements are used in mosaic mixes for the sake of the effect of contrasting surfaces.
Porcelain stoneware mosaic for apron
This type of kitchen apron from the mosaic has a number of differences. First, its elements are a slab divided into fragments, and not fragments cast in forms. Secondly, it looks like a mosaic of stone, but it is much cheaper.
As a rule, ceramic granite tiles are produced “under a mosaic” with a size of 30x30 cm and having recesses on the surface. After laying and grouting creates the illusion of this mosaic. Such tiles can be put on ordinary glue, suitable for porcelain tiles, which is cheaper than special mosaic tiles. The same applies to the applied grout.
Mosaic of metal on the apron
One of the most exotic and spectacular mosaic materials is metal. For the manufacture using brass and stainless steel, the elements are fixed on plastic, rubber or ceramics. Most often used elements of a square shape, but not uncommon and rhombic, and hexagonal.
Apron for the kitchen of mosaic, fragments of which are made of metal, opens up great opportunities for the designer. The surface of the elements can be shiny or matte, have a relief, a notch, a convex pattern. The color scheme is gold, old bronze, brilliant chrome or silver titanium.
The main drawback of such a surface is its brilliance, on which all the pollution is clearly visible, even water droplets. To facilitate the care of the apron in the kitchen, you can make it out of brushed metal. If you choose a kitchen apron of a mosaic in the color of gold, but there is no desire to complicate your homework, you can replace the metal elements with glass ones that imitate a gold surface. They will look almost the same, but the care of glass is much easier, and it costs less.
Although metal and durable material, it is susceptible to corrosion, shine disappears with time, scratches may occur. But all these shortcomings "pay off" a great appearance.
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