If you want a unique design for your makeover then look no further than mosaic effect bathroom wall panels.
Mosaic tiles have been around for thousands of years. Small square or irregular tiles are applied to a surface and then grout is applied to fill the gaps. They can be applied to form patterns or even pictures and scenes. But most mosaic tiles are just used as a straightforward wall covering these days.
The problem with mosaic tiles is that they use a lot of grout. The ratio of tile area to grout area is much smaller than with regular sized tiles.
This would not be too much of a problem if grout performed its task perfectly. But all too often it fails. Either fully or partially.
Luckily there are modern alternatives available these days so we have a look at the two options in more detail.
Mosaic Tiles v Mosaic Panels
So what is the difference between mosaic tiles and mosaic effect bathroom panels?
Modern mosaic tiles are attached to a fibreglass mesh so that they can be laid in large numbers rather than individually. They are then stuck to the wall or floor using tile adhesive. Once dry they can then be grouted. And the grout is dry the tiles can be polished. So overall it is quite an involved process requiring time and several visits.
Bathroom panels have the mosaic effect printed onto the surface. There is no actual relief to the design, just a smooth, lacquered surface. The panels are measured, cut and stuck onto the wall. They are tongue and grooved so they slot together to give you a waterproof surface.
The lack of relief to the design can look a little less convincing than real mosaics but it has the advantage of being very easy to clean. The smooth surface just wipes over with a soft cloth and is simplicity itself to keep them looking pristine.
So mosaic effect bathroom wall panels have some serious advantages over their traditional counterparts.
Mosaic Effect Bathroom Wall Panels – Easy To Live With
As has just been mentioned, these panels are extremely easy to keep clean.
But the smooth surface has another advantage – there is no grout. Grout can always be a problem area in a bathroom and ceramic mosaic tiles have almost as much grout as tiles!
Mould has a nasty habit of establishing a foothold in grout and once it starts it is very difficult to eradicate. This makes our mosaic panels maintenance-free and and explains their rapidly growing popularity.
They are also totally waterproof which cannot always be said of grouted ceramic tiles. Pin-holes and cracked grout is a common issue that can lead to more serious problems.
Use Mosaic As A Feature Wall Or Fit Around The Whole Room
Opinion varies with homeowners as to how much of the bathroom to finish in the mosaic effect. So it really boils down to personal taste. The main options taken when considering your bathroom wall panel design are:
- all the walls in the bathroom covered with mosaic panels
- one feature wall covered with mosaic
- the over-bath area finished with mosaic
- mosaic panels fitted inside the shower cubicle only
Where mosaic tile effect panels are limited to a smaller area, the rest of the room can be decorated with a more traditional wall covering (such as painted plaster) or wall panels with a different pattern but complimentary colour (Mosaic Beige Sand with Firenze Beige for example). Check with the sales office for details of panels that work well with each other and that can be joined together if necessary.
We would recommend panelling as much of the bathroom walls as possible because this will give you the maximum benefit from panels: no grout; no mould; no maintenance. The more panels you fit the greater the benefit – you can even use panels on bathroom ceilings.