Wood - Although wood is readily available one must proceed with caution when selecting this as a base material. This product is not recommended for exterior or wet locations. For more information on Hardibacker, go to James Hardie's website (manufacturer of Hardibacker). Hardibacker cannot support itself when used in full sheets and must be screwed in place to a firm backing. A composite material of cement and cellulose, it's water and mold resistant and secures well with thinset. Hardibacker -A brand-name tile backerboard that is easier to cut and lighter weight than cement boards. The seams between each sheet need to be taped with alkyd-resistant mesh and filled with thinset prior to applying your mosaic. You can create large surfaces to cover building walls etc. It is better suited for construction or surfacing of walls to prepare for installation. This is not typically a backer that you would use for artwork. Thinset should be used as the adhesive when working with cement board. When cutting the edge are rough and a bit uneven, you will need to plan for covering or trimming these edges. It must be screwed in place or to another surface that can support it. Cement board is heavy and cannot support itself. Cement board is weather and waterproof, permanent, and readily available at your local home improvement center. It is most often used to construct shower surrounds and as a substrate for tile floors. It is a cement-based product formed in sheets and reinforced with fiberglass mesh. The upside here is that one or more of these products can be found at most local home improvement stores.Ĭement board-This is exactly what it says. All the above cutting, hanging, and adhesive instructions above for WediBoard apply. All were developed for the building trades for showers and flooring underlayment. GoBoard, Durock Ultra Light, Kerdi Board, and other foam core products- Like WediBoard all of these products are lightweight, rigid, water and weatherproof, and temperature stable. Contact your local tile and flooring store to check for availability. It is not carried at your local home improvement store. One of the drawbacks to WediBoard is availability. Please make sure you are using the correct adhesive for your project. You can use almost any adhesive with WediBoard but it was created for use with cement-based adhesives such as thinset. It is important to note you need to plan and install any hanging hardware before you begin your project. Please watch our YouTube video to learn how to wrap edges and install a hanging system. It’s easy to cut with a utility knife and leaves a smooth edge that will need to be framed or covered. Available in 1/4" and 1/2" thicknesses each sheet comes 3' x 5' so you can often get many projects from one piece. It can be used indoors and out in all climate conditions. It is entirely waterproof and weatherproof, very rigid so it won't warp, and super lightweight. What is it exactly? Wedi board is a high-density foam board covered with a thin layer of fiberglass mesh and a cement coating. It's a German product normally used in the construction industry as an underlayment for bathrooms, showers, floors, anywhere that needs waterproof material. WediBoard - WediBoard is probably the most used lightweight substrate among mosaic artists. The success of any project starts with a good foundation. Inside? Outside? If so, do you live in a climate with freeze/thaw cycles or high humidity? Will it come in contact with water? All these things can affect the surface and may, in turn, have a negative impact on your finished project. It may be necessary to scuff the surface of some materials by scoring or rough sanding it first so your adhesive will stick to it.Īnother important consideration is where will the completed piece be displayed or used when finished. Surfaces must be stable, solid, free of loose paint, wallpaper, dirt, grease, etc., and must be strong enough to support the mosaic. If the surface has too much flex, the grout will crack, and the tiles will pop off. Although many adhesives work with flexible materials, in the end, the surface will not be able to support the weight of adhesive, tesserae, and grout. When choosing a substrate, the main characteristic you're looking for is solid without flex. Choosing the right substrate (surface or base) to apply your mosaic to is an important first step in creating a successful project that will last a lifetime. You can let your imagination run wild, but there are a few basics you need to consider. Mosaics can be applied to almost anything that doesn't move! (and no ladies, this does not mean your husband!) Artists and hobbyists have covered everything from wine bottles to store mannequins, buildings, bathtubs, and more. Choosing the right substrate (surface) for your mosaic.Ĭhoosing the appropriate substrate for your mosaic is essential.
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