Bathroom tiles

Bathroom Tile: Mosaic as the Ideal Technical Solution for Wet Rooms.

In a bathroom, the floor and wall covering must absolutely guarantee impeccable waterproofing and offer maximum safety. Bathroom tile in a mosaic format excels on both these fronts thanks to its very design, positioning it as a superior technical choice for this environment.

Natural Adhesion and Safety in the Shower

One of the major advantages of this type of bathroom tile lies in its performance regarding adhesion. Unlike large format tiles, which offer a smooth surface and can become slippery when wet, a floor made with mosaic multiplies the points of friction. Each tessera is separated by a grout joint. This density of micro-joints creates a natural and mechanical anti-slip effect on the floor, which is essential in a walk-in shower. Water drains faster, and the surface offers better grip, even when feet are wet and soapy.

Waterproofing and Use in Immersed Environments

For areas in direct and permanent contact with water (the shower tray, bathtub edges), the choice of material and installation products is critical for the waterproofing of your future bathroom tile.

·       Bathroom tile made of glass mosaic is the safest material for water par excellence. Glass is non-porous and totally impermeable. Once installed with a suitable epoxy grout (recommended for its performance and resistance to chemicals), this covering guarantees an almost absolute barrier against humidity infiltration into the substrate. It is the preferred solution for high-quality walk-in shower projects.

·       Small tiles made of ceramic or natural stone, while very durable, require the preliminary installation of a Waterproofing System Under Tile (SPEC or SEL) on the substrate to ensure perfect waterproofing.

By choosing this small-scale bathroom tile, you opt for a wall covering and flooring that has proven its worth in the most demanding conditions, including swimming pools and hammams. Its small size also allows it to perfectly follow the complex shapes and slopes necessary for water drainage in the shower, thus providing excellent technical bathroom tile.

Bathroom Tile: Mosaic Materials – Style, Texture, and Durability.

The charm of bathroom tile comes from the diversity of its materials, each offering a unique texture, shine, and properties. Choosing the right material means defining the atmosphere of your room and ensuring its longevity.

Glass Mosaic: Waterproofing and Shine

Bathroom tile made of glass mosaic is the undisputed star of wet rooms. It is produced by fusing glass at high temperatures, which gives it exceptional resistance and near-zero water absorption.

·       Advantages: Brilliant shine that captures light, a wide palette of colors, iridescent or metallic finishes, and optimal waterproofing. It is the ideal choice for a striking wall covering or for the floor of a contemporary walk-in shower.

·       Uses: Walk-in shower, wall, vanity backsplash.

·       Discover our collection of Glass Mosaic for unique lighting effects.

Marble Mosaic: Luxury and Timelessness

For a bathroom that exudes luxury and serenity, bathroom tile made of marble is the solution. Marble, a noble natural stone, brings mineral depth and unique veins to each tessera, creating a timeless visual effect.

·       Advantages: Luxurious luster, natural textures, an excellent choice for spa-like or classic ambiances. Its robustness allows for floor use throughout the entire bathroom.

·       Note: Marble, being a porous stone, must be treated with a sealant before installation and regularly thereafter to preserve its beauty and resistance to stains.

·       Explore our Marble Mosaic references for a sophisticated design.

Ceramic, Porcelain, and Pebble Options

Other materials complete the bathroom tile offerings in small formats:

·       Ceramic and Porcelain Mosaic: These options offer excellent mechanical resistance and are very easy to maintain. They are ideal for larger projects or entire walls, often available with finishes that imitate other materials (wood effect, concrete effect).

·       Pebble Mosaic: Mounted on a mesh, pebbles create a zen and natural ambiance, highly sought after for walk-in shower floors. Their rounded shape and irregularity also increase adhesion and offer a pleasant foot massage.

Bathroom Tile: Trends and Mosaic Design.

Mosaic bathroom tile is the champion of personalization. It allows you to break free from the constraints of large tiles to create plays of relief, color, and patterns that enhance the space. Simply integrating touches of this mosaic bathroom tile can transform an ordinary room into a personalized wellness retreat.

The Visual Impact of Shapes and Sizes

The era of uniform small squares is over. Today, this bathroom tile comes in an infinite variety of shapes, each bringing a unique character to your room:

·       The Hexagonal: A trendy shape that breaks the monotony of the classic square. A glossy black hexagonal mosaic on a white bathroom wall creates a powerful graphic contrast. 

·       Round or Pebble Mosaic: Perfect for the shower floor or to simulate a natural and zen outdoor space.

·       Elongated Shapes ("Kit Kat"): Ideal for vertical installation on a wall covering, they add height and a Japanese or Art Deco style.

Strategic Decorative Use

The secret to successful bathroom tile design lies in the targeted and strategic use of this decorative covering:

·       The Vanity Backsplash: A band of small tiles right above the countertop, called the vanity backsplash, acts as an anti-splash shield while defining a focal point of color or shine.

·       The Shower Niche: Covering the interior of the shower niche (recessed storage space) with a contrasting bathroom tile is a subtle yet very chic design detail that adds depth.

·       The Total Walk-In Shower: For complete immersion, covering the walls and floor of the walk-in shower entirely with the same tile (or a gradient of the same color range) provides a unified, luxurious, and very contemporary look.

The immense variety of colors available, from soothing natural shades (beige, gray, matte white) to intense colors (emerald blue, gold, deep black), offers total creative freedom so that your bathroom tile reflects your unique style.

Bathroom Tile: Installation and Durability of Mosaics.

Choosing a small-format bathroom tile is a long-term investment, but its durability is directly linked to the quality of its installation, especially in an environment as demanding in waterproofing as the wet room. Although this covering is considered simpler to install than large format tile due to its mesh-mounted presentation, a few steps are fundamental to guaranteeing the longevity of your covering.

Substrate Preparation: The Key to Bathroom Tile Waterproofing

In a bathroom, and particularly in the walk-in shower, installation cannot be improvised. The wall covering or floor substrate must be perfectly clean, degreased, and above all, flat. Mosaic, due to its small size, reveals the slightest imperfection in the substrate.

But the most critical step is Preparing Supports for Mosaic. Before gluing the mosaic, it is imperative to apply humidity protection. This liquid or roll membrane (SPEC/SEL) ensures waterproofing under the tile, thereby protecting the structure from infiltration.

Good bathroom tile starts with an excellent substrate.

Installation Techniques and Finishing Touches

Since the bathroom tile is already pre-assembled in sheets, installation is accelerated. For a perfect result:

1.     Layout: Defining a central axis guarantees symmetry, especially on a decorative wall or a vanity backsplash.

2.    Trowel Size: Using a very fine notched trowel (3 to 4 mm) allows for applying the right amount of adhesive, thus preventing it from rising between the tesserae and spoiling the visual effect, especially with translucent models.

3.    Grouting: Grouting is the most important step for the hygiene and technical performance of your bathroom tile. For the bathroom, we strongly recommend using an epoxy grout or, failing that, a waterproofed cement grout. Epoxy is particularly resistant to mold, stains (makeup, soap), and guarantees the best possible waterproofing.

Maintenance and Durability: Preserving Your Bathroom Tile

Mosaic bathroom tile is naturally durable and easy to maintain. Materials like glass mosaic or ceramic are non-porous and clean up with soapy water.

For coverings in marble or natural stone, cleaning with a pH-neutral product is essential to avoid damaging the stone. Regular maintenance of the grout joints (especially if they are not epoxy) with anti-mold products ensures that your bathroom tile retains its new appearance, reinforcing the idea of a durable investment that enhances your wet room for many years to come. You can find more detailed advice in our guide on Installing Mosaic Tile in a Walk-in Shower.