Why Stagger Joints for Mosaics?

[rustylt2]

I read on here somewhere that it is best to stagger the joints of mosaic tile sheets. What's the purpose of doing this? Curious as I have a mosaic job to do on a bathroom floor using 300 x 300 sheets of 5mm mosaics.

[Sir Ramic]

To blend the the mosaic sheets together better as sometimes you will be able to see the individual sheets when the job is completed. I prefer to remove every othe mosaic so that the sheets interlock creating a seamless effect.

[Branty]

To blend the the mosaic sheets together better as sometimes you will be able to see the individual sheets when the job is completed. I prefer to remove every othe mosaic so that the sheets interlock creating a seamless effect.

Now thats a top tip.
I for one never understood the need to stagger sheets. The 1st big mosaic job I did, was with a old time fixer and his son. We did 200sqm's, and they didn't stagger one sheet, but they did take their time, and the job looked great.
My argument is, you can't stagger the sheets horizontally, and vertically, so why bother.
I do like Sir Ramics idea though.

[grumpygrouter]

I prefer to remove every othe mosaic so that the sheets interlock creating a seamless effect.

Nice idea but time consuming though!

[Fekin]

As grumpy said, but I bet it gives a flawless finish

[plumbersmate]

mosaics................agh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!

[Fekin]

On a flat substrat their nice to work with.

[sWe]

Is this a spacer related problem? I don't use spacers when fitting mosaics (hardly ever use them in fact), and I've got no problem creating a seamless/interlocking finish with mosaics. I don't remove the mosaics from their sheets unless I'm making a custom pattern or some such.

[Sir Ramic]

I guess its each to their own with this. years ago when mosaic was VERY popular i would fix the sheets that had been pre prepared as i have stated. Thats the way they came from the factory, so i continued this when doing other mosaics since. Yes its time consuming if the mosaic is small but not too bad on the larger formats. Dont forget that the price given would have included extra time needed to do this.

[Branty]

I like it Sir. If I ever do mosaic again, I'll give it a try.

[Varley]

Yeah thats a great tip Sir Ramic

[andy-p]

I like it Sir. If I ever do mosaic again, I'll give it a try.

hey branty i thought you retired from tiling!!

[garythetiler]

staggering sheets of mosaic was adopted because on large mosaic jobs several different tilers might work in one area as you all know when you work with other tilers we all space our joints slightly differently by staggering joints you are governed by the next sheet you are fitting therefore keeping the job more uniform and allowing others to pick up from your work with out seeing the day joint

[Branty]

hey branty i thought you retired from tiling!!

Never say never. There's always the weekends.