Questions & Answers

There was a comment I read recently online that highlighted the challenge that an engineer mind has when planning for tasks that are highly artistic. It was all in terms of tile. Precision in cad is easy, but I'm starting to see how variable the actual materials can be, which require creative solutions, or simply practice. I learned this when I first hung drywall on crooked walls and when I hung perfectly square cabinets in a room that wasn't perfectly square.

So, naturally, as I put together my bathroom, I'm experiencing the same. Thinset is mushy and squishy. It's not exact. So, a tile leveling system solves that provided prep work is done well.

I laid out a few tiles on some spare backer board yesterday. It consisted of some larger pieces and some 2x2 mosaic. I also grouted it. Here's what I noticed about mosaic:

Leveling systems won't work on mosaic. There are too many independent pieces. Therefore, making sure that all 36 squares on a single 12x12 sheet are in the same plane as the rest of the floor/wall is an unexpected challenge. I think using a flat edge against the side tiles will enable me to press the mosaic into the thinset just to the right plane.

QUESTION 1: Is it possible to grout mosaic tiles such that the grout is nearly flush with the top of the tile or is mosaic lippage just part of the game? This grouting thing seems like a practiced skill like skim coating a wall with mud.

QUESTION 2: After grouting and letting it cure, is there a material that's ever used, like epoxy, or something of that nature, that's designed to "fill" the grout lines to make a smooth surface? The whole reason I designed the tile layout with mosaic was because I was having a hard time finding large format tile that wouldn't pose a slip risk on the shower floor. In the end, it turns out I really like the way the mosaic makes a "pathway" from the bathroom entrance to the ceiling in the shower, but what I don't know about is how lippy the mosaic will feel on my feet and if that's really a concern.

Thanks for taking the time to read this ;).