How to Lay 2x2 Mosaic Tiles on Shower Walls

Mosaic tiles may look like they are a lot of work to install, because they are small and you have to use so many of them. But in fact, because they're so small, they are usually sold premounted on 2- by 2-foot mesh sheets. This actually makes them quicker to install than standard individual tiles. Mosaic is a good solution for shower walls, because it protects the wall from moisture, while also adding a decorative element.

Tape measure
Level
Pencil
Thinset mortar
Notched tiling trowel
Razor knife
Tile cutter
Grout
Grout float
Sponge
Caulk

Instructions

- 1
  Mark a line along the base of the shower, from end to end, making it as high as a sheet of tiles plus ¼ inch. If the tiles sheets are the standard 2 feet by 2 feet, then the horizontal line should be 24 ¼ inches up off the shower floor.
- 2
  Mark the middle of the horizontal line. Draw a vertical line up the middle of the shower wall with a level and pencil.
- 3
  Spread thinset mortar over the bottom section the wall with your notched trowel, from the line to the floor and from end to end.
- 4
  Set the first sheet of mosaic tiles into the mortar, under the horizontal line, on one side of the vertical line. Press all the tiles firmly into the mortar. There should be a ¼-inch space between the bottom edge of the tile sheet and the floor. Hold your level across each line of tiles to ensure they are all straight and level, moving them as needed.
- 5
  Press additional sheets to the wall alongside the first, under the horizontal line, spacing the sheets from each other by the same distance as the tiles are spaced within the sheets.
- 6
  Cut the sheets to fit at the ends of the course by using a razor knife to cut through the mesh between the tiles. Cut the individual tiles along the edges, if necessary, to fit by the side walls.
- 7
  Spread more mortar above the first course of tile sheets to hang the next course up, again starting at the center line and working to the sides. Use your razor knife and tile nippers to chip off pieces of tiles and cut away sections of the mesh backing as needed to work around the shower fixtures. Do the whole shower wall and the adjacent walls, using your level to check each line of tiles to ensure they are level.
- 8
  Let the mortar set for 12 hours.
- 9
  Grout the shower walls from the top down, scraping the grout over the surface with your grout float and pressing it into the spaces between the tiles. Wipe off the excess grout with a damp sponge.
- 10
  Let the grout set for 48 hours. Caulk the joints between the bottom of the walls and the floor, and the vertical corners between the walls.

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