PIETRA PECE

FAQ

1. What is Mosaic Micro 6 made of?
Micro 6 is the mosaic made entirely of recycled glass from discarded PC and TV monitors.

2. Why choose Mosaicomicro?
Because it is a unique recycled material with a strong aesthetic character, it is green, and the technique used to produce it, including manufacturing, is Italian. The nature of recycled glass and the production process mean that each micro tile is different from the others; each one gives rise to a 'dynamic' micro surface: shiny, opaque, velvety, smooth or textured.

3. How are recycled glass mosaics made?
Mosaicomicro is obtained by casting rather than pressing, through an industrialised process that always involves the intervention of the human hand. Glass powder, obtained from old disused TV and PC monitors, mixed with water, is modelled until 'micro' mosaic tesserae are obtained.

4. Is Mosaicomicro environmentally friendly?
Mosaicomicro is an environmentally sustainable project, glass recycled from disused cathode ray tube monitors is transformed into precious mosaic. Its size and low weight guarantee very low CO2 emissions, reducing the time needed for firing in production and also making it a 'light' product to transport

5. How much does Mosaic Micro cost?
The prices of Mosaico micro vary depending on the collection, quantity, colour, decoration design and shape of the tile.

6. How much does the laying of Mosaicomicro cost?
Installation costs depend on the company carrying out the work.

7. How do you lay the mosaic?
The mosaic sheets should be laid next to each other, with a gap of approx. 2 mm, avoiding unevenness between the edges (see laying tips).

8. Should micro mosaic be sanded?
Glass mosaics do not need to be sanded, they only need to be glued, grouted and cleaned thoroughly.

9. Does Mosaicomicro need maintenance or special treatment?
Our mosaics do not need any special treatment, just daily cleaning.

10. Does the micro-mosaic deteriorate over time?
If you use constant maintenance and care, they will last forever.

11. Where can I apply Mosaicomicro?
Our mosaics have no constraints on use, they can be used indoors and outdoors, as floor and wall coverings, kitchen backsplashes, table tops, bathroom shelves, swimming pools and spas.

12. Is it possible to customise the size or colour of the glass mosaic?
Yes, a decoration can also be customised on a project basis.

13. How many colours are the mosaics available in?
Mosaicomicro presents three colour palettes: greys (including black and white), browns and blues. Of course, they can be reproduced in many other colours and custom designs.

14. In how many formats are micro-mosaics available?
We produce square, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, hexagonal and circular mosaic tiles.

15. What is the size of the mosaic sheet?
The size of the sheets varies according to the collection, generally not exceeding 300 mm.

16. Can micro-mosaics be used outdoors?
Mosaicomicro can also be applied outdoors.

17. Is there a minimum order quantity?
No, there is no minimum quantity to order. It is also possible to order a single box containing 10 sheets.

18. How long does it take from production order to delivery?
Delivery times vary depending on the quantity ordered and the collection. In general, products in stock are dispatched within a few days. For customised designs about 20 working days.

19. Where can I buy installation products?
We can ship the installation products ourselves, otherwise they can be purchased at any building materials shop.

20. Which products commonly used in the home stain the mosaic irreversibly?
Attention should only be paid to strongly acidic products that can stain the joint, whereas mosaic has a high resistance to chemical attacks.

21. Do you need specialised installers to lay micro mosaics?
Qualified personnel are recommended for the installation of Mosaicomicro. Poor installation affects the aesthetic result of the surface and its durability.

22. How important is cleaning after installation?
After laying, cleaning is very important, as once the joint residues have hardened, they are difficult to remove.

23. What is stonerisation?
Shading refers to a lighter or darker colour finish, varying according to the craft method of production.

24. Is Mosaicomicro stoned?
Yes, the peculiarity of Mosaic Micro also lies in the colour shading, each tile being a shade of the same tone.

25. Can mosaic be installed on floors with floor heating?
Yes, micro-mosaics can also be laid on a floor with a floor heating system.

26. Are glass mosaics recommended for commercial use?
Yes, recycled glass mosaics can also be used as cladding in commercial environments.

27. Where can I take a closer look and possibly buy your products?
Our production can be viewed or purchased at selected dealers in Italy and abroad. For information on the sales network, please contact info@mosaicomicro.com

28. Do you have mosaic mounted on glass fibre mesh?
No, we produce mosaics glued on silicone mesh applied with numerical control by a robot (visible mosaic face). Silicone mesh allows us to glue 5 mm micro tiles, which is not possible with glass fibre mesh. Silicone glue, being very elastic and resistant, allows us to cover curved and flat surfaces, even in damp environments. Silicone mesh is suitable for swimming pools, as it does not deteriorate in contact with water.

29. Do you produce mosaics glued on adhesive paper?
No, we do not use this method of bonding.

30. Is it possible to request a supply of mosaic mounted on transparent film?
Yes, for tile sizes larger than 1 cm it is possible, just ask for a quotation. We do not stock mosaic on film because it makes laying more complicated and longer than silicone glue. Transparent film is always less breathable than silicone glue mesh and therefore the surface has different drying times. Also, as the film is transparent, if it is cut into strips in the case of laying in a pattern, it is difficult to detect, and you run the risk of not removing it completely.

31. How should I prepare the background?
Before starting work, assess well the type of substrate on which the laying will take place (plaster, marble, metal, wood, heated floor or other) and remember that each one requires adequate preparation. The substrate, in general, must have a perfectly smooth, flat and even surface, and must be mature, consistent and stable. If the substrate is metal or fibreglass, it must have a slightly rough, flat and regular surface.

32. How should I prepare the background in the swimming pool?
IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT A WATER TIGHTNESS TEST OF THE TANK BEFORE THE COATING IS APPLIED. The substrates and walls must be suitably prepared, i.e. cured, adhered, consistent, free of removable parts, flat and plumb. Any irons protruding from the substrates to be clad must be flexed and covered with suitable rust-prevention products. Any wood in the wall must be removed. Any burrs or concrete ridges must be removed with the flex. Any residues of release agents or similar on the substrate must be removed with the flex and/or degreasing agents. Waterproof the structure with suitable products. Before laying, carry out a load test of the structure (filling). Smoothing (white soiling of the surfaces) carried out with Mosaicomicro adhesives are suitable for levelling cement foundations up to thicknesses in the order of 2 mm. Beyond 2 mm, use suitable levelling compounds. In any case, THIS TYPE OF SHAVING IS NOT WATERPROOF. The building site must be protected from rain and sun, but above all, water stagnation on laid but not yet grouted surfaces must be prevented for at least 20 days from the end of laying. The temperature of the substrates must be maintained, with suitable covers and/or other means, between +5° and +30°C from the start of laying, and for at least 10 days from the end of work.

33. How long should I wait before laying the mosaic?
After levelling to make the substrate white and planar, I must wait until the surface is dry before proceeding with laying. The waiting time is closely related to the temperature and humidity of the room.

34. How much time do I have to glue the mosaic?
The waiting time is closely related to room temperature and humidity. Once mixed with water, the glue has an open time of 30 minutes at 20°C / +68°F. Good practice is to mix a little glue at a time.

35. How long should I wait before grouting?
The waiting time is closely related to room temperature and humidity. The minimum time is 24 hours. Before grouting, in any case, make sure that the adhesive is perfectly dry.

36. How much time do I have to grout the mosaic?
The pot life of the grout is approximately 80 minutes at 21°C, after fully mixing the components. It should be noted that the pot life is subject to many variables including the consistency of the grout mixture and the temperature of the surface and ambient humidity. High temperatures, for example, shorten the pot life, while cold temperatures lengthen the pot life.

37. What kind of escape do you recommend?
Mosaicomicro recommends the epoxy Micro Grout, especially for wet rooms such as bathrooms or spas. In any case, cement grout can also be used.

38. Should I exclusively use your escape?
No, but since it is a specially developed product with tone-on-tone colours, we recommend it.

39. Can I use the epoxy joint to grout other products besides glass mosaic?
No. Being an epoxy product, it should not be used to grout natural products such as marble, granite, parquet, etc.

40. How thick should the glue be?
Usually, the mosaic is laid with a 3.5 mm notched trowel, which allows a sufficient thickness of glue to be spread to ensure that the mosaic adheres well, but does not spill out of the joints; in this case, the glue is about 1 mm thick.

41. How long should I wait before using the spaces after installation?
In swimming pools, wait 7 days before filling the pool. For other rooms, it is important not to cover the grouted mosaic floor before 4 days. Avoid making dust in the first 4 days after grouting in all cases.

42. Glue comes out of the joints, what should I do?
Check the toothing of the squeegee, you are probably using an incorrect toothed squeegee; or, if the squeegee is correct, you are using it at the wrong angle (the correct angle is 45°). Or, you have spread the glue incorrectly by concentrating it in certain areas.

43. How do I clean the mosaic?
When grouting, the grout and mosaic are cleaned with water only. For routine maintenance, the mosaic can be cleaned with acid or neutral detergents.

44. How can I drill the mosaic?
With a diamond drill.

45. The mosaic surface is not flat and some tiles protrude, is this correct?
Many steps in the production of Mosaicomicro are handcrafted and therefore the surface is very uneven and the tiles may protrude slightly. Any excessive protrusion of the tesserae from the surface can be attributed to incorrect laying of the mosaic: lack of beating of the tesserae, or substrate not smoothed before laying.

46. Why are some mosaic tiles smooth and others textured?
The nature of recycled glass and the production process mean that each micro tile is different from the others; each one gives rise to a 'dynamic' micro surface: shiny, opaque, velvety, smooth or textured.

47. Is it true that the mosaic can come unglued?
It can come off - if you get the glue wrong. Mosaic needs specific zero-slip glue (i.e. the tile when laid on the glue layer must not slip down) and it must be specific to the type of substrate. In fact, mosaic can also be laid on wood, metal, plasterboard, but the right glue must be used. The choice of glue also depends on the type of mosaic, i.e. whether it is made of glass, marble, mother of pearl... in short, it depends on the two materials to be glued together (mosaic and support). Leading retailers of construction adhesives will have no problem suggesting the most suitable adhesive from one of the most famous brands. The only reason why a mosaic may detach from the substrate is because it has not been installed properly (most often with unsuitable adhesives).

48. Can mosaic be glued over old cladding?
Yes. It can be glued as long as the old support is stable and well anchored. Otherwise, if the old backing comes off, it will also take the mosaic with it. Pay attention to the choice of glue!

49. Can I cover a curved surface with mosaic?
The tiles joined in sheets manage to cover planar and curved spaces without any interruption, giving the sense of a continuous surface.

50. Is the mosaic slippery?
No, it is not slippery because although it is glass, the joints between the tiles, even if filled with putty, are very good non-slip, so no fear for floors either.

51. Being made of glass, does it cut?
Although made of glass, the tesserae do not cut because they are bevelled and made rounded, just enough not to be sharp.

52. Does washing it with detergents discolour over time?
No, our glass mosaics have colours in impasto, a homogeneous paste so that when you break the tile, the colour is inside as well as outside.

53. Do you produce crystal mosaics?
No, our production technique is different from the classic method of casting crystal.

54. How can I clean it?
Glass mosaics do not stain, they can be cleaned with normal commercial detergents to which they are absolutely resistant. Any lime deposits can be removed with alcohol.

55. Does mosaic absorb water?
Glass mosaics do not absorb water, they can be used for swimming pool coverings and of course bathtubs. In this case, the glue and grout must be specific for these constant immersion applications.

56. Which glue should I use for laying?
For vertical laying (tiling), you should use specific adhesives for zero-slip mosaics from leading companies such as Kerakoll, Mapei, Laticrete or Litokol. Your adhesive dealer will be able to advise you best.

57. What filler should I use for the joints?
For filling the joints you can use white putty or coloured putty to your liking. We recommend the ton sur ton joint. Cement grout can be used in all situations. For extreme applications such as saunas, spas, steam baths and where superior mechanical and chemical resistance is required, we recommend the use of epoxy grouts. For environments such as swimming pools, the use of epoxy grouts is recommended.

58. Can it be installed in public places and outdoors?
Yes, glass mosaic is fine in public places even with heavy foot traffic, both floor and wall, it is wear-resistant so it does not spoil, it is resistant to chemical attacks, weathering and temperature changes. Glass mosaic is almost eternal, although of course it always depends on how it is used.

59. What is the difference between your mosaics and those of Bisazza, Sicis or Appiani?
The difference in our mosaics lies in the production technique, the material used and the design.

60. Do all mosaics have the same characteristics?
No. The above applies to glass mosaics. Mosaics made of natural or synthetic materials (marble, stone, mother of pearl, wood, aluminium, ceramic) have the characteristics of the same materials.

61. Do you sell pre-engraved mosaic tiles?
No, we do not market faux mosaic tiles.

62. Do you produce handmade artistic mosaic?
Yes, we have a team of specialised mosaicists who reproduce by hand decorations and borders inspired by the ancient mosaic technique. The possibilities are endless and allow each realisation to be customised taking into account the style (classic or contemporary), the type of material used (glass, stone or marble) and the customer's budget.

Milan Design Week 2025
7st - 13th April

3daysofdesign

18 – 20 June 2025
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