Mosaic effect tiles

[marksim]

Hey I have some mosaic effect tiles to tile one wall of a bathroom with. There not like the usual mosaic effect ones as the tiles are on a noramly ceramic tiles with a mosaic pattern on a with a white groute line already on the tile. I believe theses were bought as they were cheaper then the noraml mosaic ones. The tiles also seem to have a grout line on the patteren all round the edge of the tile. With this in mind do I not put spaces between these tiles? I guess I will have to for expansion and to make water tight I just think it will look strange as if I put spacers between the tiles as the grout I put in may not dry the extact same shade of white as the groute ''effect'' lines already on the tile. Thanks if any one has any throughts on this it's the frist time I have seen this type of tiles.

[andy allen]

just use a 2mm grout joint......and yes they do look pants , but thats why there cheap.

[whitebeam]

Pants, Andy is being polite

[deanotile]

i have used a similar tile and i just butt jointed them.

[marksim]

just use a 2mm grout joint......and yes they do look pants , but thats why there cheap.

Ok do you find with these that the actual grout line looks alot different to the one on the mosaic?

If I put the butt up would I not struggle with water penetration? as its around a bath.

[Colour Republic]

where these 'fake' grout line are, is the surface glazed or is it scored back to the biscuit?

[deanotile]

lol you still need to grout them

[marksim]

where these 'fake' grout line are, is the surface glazed or is it scored back to the biscuit?

They are surface glazed there not scored back or anything.

[Phil Hobson]

Pants, is a technical term I would use to describe this type of tile

[Mike]

i had them tiles in my bathroom when i bought my house, i think they were 250mm square. the entire tile were meant to be grouted to give the mosaic effect. i couldnt wait to rip them out

[Stewart]

Pants, is a technical term I would use to describe this type of tile

You're far too polite Phil........

[Colour Republic]

They are rather cheap tiles and seeing as the grout lines are glazed and fairly shallow I would imagine, then I doubt you'll ever be able to grout the whole tile as you can do with some of them. Added to the fact they have a fake grouted edge to them, It's going to be neigh on impossible to make them look good, I would explain this to the customer and tell them "These tiles will never look like mosaics!"

I'd try and offer them a different tile, failing that i'd tile them with 1mm spacers and be done with it

[marksim]

ok thanks yes I was looking at a 1mm grout line to try make them look the best I can.

[andy allen]

ive used boat loads of these tiles for the tight arse landlords i tile for.

its the old saying you cant make a silk purse out of a sows ear.

[Phil Hobson]

Sorry, but as stated above these tiles never quite pull off looking like moaic. Just do your best mate, good luck

[Dave]

I use my rubi wedges and get the joints tight as possible, to wide a grout joint and it will look PANTS..

Make sure you leave perimeter joints left/right and top/bottom.. then no worries with expansion..