HOW TO USE FIBRE GLASS MESH FOR YOUR MOSAIC PROJECTS

The fibreglass mesh method is a super simple way to tackle a range of different mosaic projects. Watch this short, easy to follow video to find out the steps you need to take to start making mosaics using fibre glass mesh.
In this step-by-step video, we'll guide you through the process of creating mosaics using fiberglass mesh. Whether you're a seasoned mosaic artist or a beginner eager to explore this captivating craft, this tutorial is tailored just for you.
🔍 What You'll Learn:
1️⃣ Introduction to Fiberglass Mesh: Discover the unique properties of fiberglass mesh and why it's a game-changer for mosaic art.
2️⃣ Essential Tools and Materials: Gather the tools you need for a successful mosaic project, from the fiberglass mesh itself to choosing adhesives and tiles.
3️⃣ Preparation Techniques: Learn the proper methods to prepare your fiberglass mesh for mosaic work, ensuring a sturdy foundation for your artwork.
4️⃣ Adhering Tiles to Fiberglass Mesh: Dive into the nitty-gritty of attaching tiles to the mesh, making sure you have a secure finish.
6️⃣ Removing the completed mosaic from the base so it's ready for installation.
🎥 Join us on this creative journey and transform your mosaic projects with the versatility and durability of fiberglass mesh.
00:00 Introduction
00:38 Why use mesh?
01:51 Tools and materials
03:43 Introducing mesh
04:16 Glue and other materials
05:19 Prepare your design and board
07:27 Making the mosaic
10:19 Removing the mosaic

[@toysforeva]

The fact that you showed the bottle of specific glue you are using is so helpful! THANK YOU 💐

[@tashahasfun]

Helen, thank you so much for your time. I learn so much watching your videos.

[@christinehume5061]

Thanks very much Helen :) Very timely as I want to use this method today!

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Hope it went well Christine!

[@adolphghneim1960]

Thank you. GOD bless you.

[@amandasymon4363]

So easy to follow - thank you so much 🙏

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

You’re welcome 😊

[@audiequiboy1638]

Thanks Ms Helen..your instructions very clear.😍

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

You're welcome! That's good to hear :)

[@tamrager811]

Helen I like how you use the spoon! That is a great tip. I am in the USA a we can buy sticky mesh here which works great for a smaller project but I always feel like it needs more glue if you’re doing a bigger project. Thank you for sharing! 🧡

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

You're very welcome. I have never tried sticky mesh but it sounds like a great idea.

[@dorisnoch7684]

Thank you !!👍👍👍🤗🤗

[@helenaholton4404]

Thank you! Great instructions and tips 👌. Cling film! Why didn't I think of that 😊

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Glad it was helpful!

[@northcoastize]

I wish that I had discovered your video last week! I had been using sticky mesh which was a disaster for my vertical cement wall. My tiles were impossible to keep together as the mesh wasn't sticky enough! Thank you so much! Excellent demo!❤😂🎉

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I'm so glad it was helpful. I have tried the sticky mesh too but find that it isn't sticky enough for my purposes.

[@northcoastize]

Thank you so much!❤ Excellent demo!😂

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I'm glad that you liked it! 🙏

[@pouyapnh2652]

Very helpful Thanks british lady 👍

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

You’re so welcome 😊

[@janetvickers7993]

Only just discovered your videos Helen. they are so so good. Im new to mosaic and i'm definitely hooked. Can i ask how you then would adhere the fish for example to the bathroom wall?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Thanks Janet! You'd get yourself some tile adhesive which is generally sold in powder form and spread a thin layer on the wall - you can use a 3mm notched trowel to avoid it being too deep - and then press your mosaic into the adhesive. The adhesive will come up through the gaps between the tesserae and hold the mosaic in place. If it comes up above the level of the tesserae then simply wipe off. The mosaic will need to be grouted once the adhesive has dried. Here's a video about mixing the tile adhesive. If you're in America it's called thinset: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIK7Xp2dltqKeZo

[@debhughes9695]

Hi Helen, love watching your tutorials very helpful. Do have a quick question? How would you approach different sized tiles and need to make the surface level for a table top? Is there a way to raise the smaller tiles. Greatly appreciate any advice. Cheers

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I'm sorry to say that would be difficult to do with this method. The only method that would work if the tiles are different thicknesses is to use tile adhesive and butter more onto the back of the ones which are thinner. But obviously this would not create a perfectly level surface. The best solution is only use tiles which are the same thickness.

[@akd2406]

Hi Helen! Your tutorials have been so helpful for my architectural models. I am covering landscape terrain in stone mosaics for my current project and I'm wondering if you would recommend I use the fiberglass mesh method or direct gluing to work along the topographic curves of a landscape terrain surface. Also - if you have any other general tips for making mosaics on curved surfaces, that is super helpful as well! Thanks so much.

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Hi there and sorry for the late reply! It depends whether your stone mosaics are going to be walked on or not and how the stones are set. As a general rule it's probably best to avoid the mesh for mosaics which are going to be walked on as the mesh creates an extra layer between the stones and the adhesive which is attaching them to the surface. For making mosaics on curved surfaces, I would always used the tile adhesive/thinset method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/sIK7Xp2dltqKeZo

[@KatSchlitz]

@@HelenMilesMosaics In stores we can buy sheets of mosaic on mesh for bathroom application, thus I found this wonderful video of yours as I would like to make a custom floor mosaic for a shower, but your reply here indicates that is not a good idea? How do commercial tile manufacturers-suppliers make mesh sheets of mosaic for shower and bath installation? How can we do so for a custom mosaic, what type of adhesive on mesh can work for wet location installation, can you give some tips? I have been binge watching all your videos, they are fantastic! But I cannot find information about bath and shower application methods.

[@joychip5994]

Your videos are so helpful ❤ what size mesh .

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

The one I am using has 5mm squares

[@BiancaMM25]

Thanks so much for these videos. They are very useful. Could you recommend us a site in Europe where you can buy tiles for mosaic?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

You're welcome! It depends where you are located but I use Xina Marie in Italy www.xinamarie.com/mosaic/index.php or Mosaic Workshop in London www.mosaicworkshop.com/shop/

[@BiancaMM25]

@@HelenMilesMosaics Thank you very much! The links are useful. I'm from Romania and it's harder to find variety of tiles in our country.

[@Xelorator]

Hello Helen , have you ever made a kitchen backsplash mosaic? I would be very interested how it turned out and if it has to be treated to be durable…

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Yes, I have done many kitchen splashbacks and have used a variety of materials mostly in unglazed poreclain and vitreous glass. Both of these materials are extremely durable and non porous so that they will not absorb oils/moisture etc and can be easily cleaned.

[@mayrac7778]

Hello I love you instructions I work only with stain glass you have any recommendation thanks 😊

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Thanks! I don't have any specific instructions for stained glass but wish you luck with your art

[@mazinkarutherford5350]

I have a problem with the cling film coming off from the mesh when I use vitreous tiles. Most probably the glue I’m using but I’ve tried different ones with the same results. I live in Mexico so any tips on what glue to use would be welcome!

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I am sorry to hear that you are having problems with the mesh sticking to the cling film. You could try using a stronger plastic sheet to see if that would make it easier to peel off. Also, are you perhaps using too much glue? You have to be careful only to use a dab on the back of the tiles.

[@al-ma6347]

Helen, thank you for guidance. Do you recommend mesh for flooring? I'm wanting to mosaic my (indoor) hallway 😁😁

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Ideally you should use the paper backed reverse method for flooring but I have seen professional people use mesh too so as long as you dont get glue in the gaps between the tesserae and there is space for the adhesive to push up from underneath and hold the them in place then you'll be fine.

[@al-ma6347]

Thank you Helen. I shall research this method. My flooring is concrete - is it possible to tile directly onto this surface without the need for the boards you have mentioned? 😁😁😁😁

[@7millky]

Hi Helen, would this method be suitable for a large outdoor step please? The area is approximately 3 metres by 1 metre. I have a large workshop and bench and am hoping I could work in here then transfer it all to the step once finished? Are unglazed ceramic tiles the best choice for a front step? Rather than marble for example?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I would use the paper backed method for a project like this. Unfortunately I haven't got around to making a video on that method yet but you'll probably find one on KZbin. Yes, unglazed ceramic tiles are the best because they are already slip proof and frost proof and dont need sealing.

[@Lorraines_Mini_Kingdom]

Would you use tile adhesive if say putting it on tile backer board or can you glue the mesh directly to board then grout?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I only use mesh for mosaics that can't go directly onto a board - in other words they are destined for a permanent place on a wall where they are embedded. If you are using a board then you can either use tile adhesive directly onto the board without the mesh or use glue depending on what type of tesserae you are using.

[@mirellieyohanna4312]

Thank you for your video ☺️ but do you grout after you finish ...this step am confused about

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

It's sort of up to you. If the tile adhesive pushes up successfully between the tiles, there is no need. If, however, it only pushes up 2mm or so, then I would recommend grouting. Hope that helps!

[@mirellieyohanna4312]

Thank you so much my dear🥰🥰

[@GoodieWhiteHat]

Would you use this method with smalti? Would the adhesive push far enough through the mesh?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I havent used mesh with smalti just because I always use the tile adhesive/thinset method with smalti. There is no reason why the adhesive wouldn't push up to the right depth. Why not give it a go, but definitely do a trial piece first!

[@patpetinga]

I am using glass tile (penny tile with flat underside) which is already glued to mesh. It is going on a flat wooden surface which has been primed (kilz). Should I glue the mesh side to the wood surface or use thinset adhesive? Thanks.

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Hello Pat. Sorry for the late reply. I am not sure that I understand the question. Thinset is a type of glue so either way you are gluing the mesh side to the wood surface. I would just make sure you use a strong glue (whether thinset or some other type). I hope that helps!

[@mohammedaminesabiri8245]

Thanks . The type of glue plz

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Hi Mohammed. I use Tite Bond Wood Glue which sounds odd but it is a very reliable outdoor grade glue which works well with mesh. However, you can use any glue that is reasonably viscous as long as it is suitable for the purpose. Check the back of the bottle to be sure.

[@susanfeit6128]

I have an outside wall that I want to make a mosaic for. The dimensions are 10 inches wide by 186 inches across. I thought it would be easiest to do this with mesh. Am I right? I bought cement glue. Is that what you would use?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Hi Susan. Yes, working on mesh would be a great approach. Just make sure that your wall is clean and dry and has a rough render that the mosaic can easily stick to. I would make the mosaic using Titebond II Premium Wood Glue to stick the tesserae to the mesh and then apply the whole mosaic to the wall using cement based mortar. When you are using mesh it is really important to not let the glue squish out from under the tesserae and fill the gaps because the mortar needs to come up from underneath and needs those gaps to hold the mosaic in place.

[@2020Bookworm]

what stores sell fiberglass mesh?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

I used to get mine from a mosaic supplier and now I just buy it directly online. If you buy it online it comes in very large rolls that you might not want but you can but it from mosaic suppliers by the metre.

[@marymurphy8353]

Do you then grout it?

[@HelenMilesMosaics]

Yes! Although sometimes I find that I've got exactly the right depth of tile adhesive which fills up all the gaps from underneath and there's no need.