I hope everybody is having a great start to the year, Christmas is the quietest time of year for us.. so we took the opportunity to update our display wall with new tiles.

Completed project:

Looks good!

A mesh backing is a wire net to which the tiles on a mosaic sheet are attached.  Not only does it help give adhesive extra grip, but they allow a mosaic sheet to be cut in to any desired shape. This means you can turn 1 mosaic sheet into 3 or 4 borders and potentially save money!

The flexibility with mesh backed mosaics also allow for installation on curved walls/surfaces and because they can be easily cut, little goes to waste.

Cutting

Cut from the back, create a straight line by folding the sheet, then simply cut by dragging a stanley knife down the the length of the curve.

Are all mosaics mesh backed?

The vast majority of mosaic come on a mesh backing.

How are mosaic tiles stuck to the mesh?

With a semi transparent adhesive.

Working out the number of tiles need to fill a square metre is pretty simple!

This is how you do it - Example:

• 1 Square Metre = 100 x 100 cm
• 1 Tile is (let's say) = 30 x 60 cm

To work out how many tiles you need per m2, simply do this:

Times the width x height of a square metre and the same for the tile:

• 100 x 100 cm = 10,000
• 30 x 60 cm = 1800

Divide the tile by the square metre:

• 10,000 ÷ 1800 = 5.55555556

Round that number up and you have 5.5 Tiles per SQM!

Lithofin Rust-EX is designed to remove rust stains and discolouration from tiles, natural and concrete stone.

Description: Mildly alkaline cleaner for removing rust stains and residues of metal oxide.

Uses: Cleaning Grave stones and general outdoor tiles

Technical Data:
Density: approx. 1.1 g/cm³
Flash Point: n.a.
pH-Value: approx. 9
Appearance: liquid, clear, nearly colourless
Odour: sulphured, intensive
Solubility in Water: very good

Properties
The reactive compounds work on the rust and transform it into water soluble particles. The reaction becomes visible through a purple  discolouration. The resulting particles can be rinsed off with water. Lithofin Rust-EX does not change the appearance of the surface and can  therefore be used on single stains. Field of Use For removing all kinds of rust stains. Causes for these stains may be iron containing fertilizers,  metal garden furniture, leaking heating systems, etc. Surfaces: suitable for all ceramic surfaces, marble, limestone, granite, gneiss, concrete and  artificial stone.

Directions for Use

Generously apply undiluted product to the dry surface and distribute with a brush. A purple discolouration shows the start of the reaction. Allow to work for about 5 minutes, 10 minutes max! Do not allow product to dry. After working time, add water and a splash of Lithofin MN Power-Clean (or diluted dish liquid), brush and rinse off with plenty of water. Important: working time must not exceed 10 minutes. Repeat procedure in case  of unsatisfactory results. Ferrous natural stones or stones containing as well as coloured concrete stones may change colour after treatment with  Lithofin Rust-EX. Please Note: always try product in an inconspicuous area prior to use. Avoid contact with metal, varnish, wood, etc. Long  working times on polished limestones may cause the surface to become slightly dull. The remaining light discolouration will disappear with time. Application Temperature: not below 15°C.
Coverage: up to 10 m2/ ltr

Available in 500ml Bottle.

If you have used Rust-EX, please let us know how well it worked and what on, there may be a discount coupon available...

View Product here

To seal natural stone we fully recommend  Lithofin MN Stain-stop.

How does it work.

Lithofin MN Stain-Stop penetrates into the surface and coats the capillaries with an extremely thin, invisible film. Oil, grease and water are not absorbed by the surface, but remain on the surface (12 to 36 hours on polished marble and limestone, up to 48 hours on granite and gneiss).

During this time, dirt can easily be removed without leaving stains. The effectiveness depends on the amount of product absorbed by the surface.  The characteristic appearance of the surface material is not or only slightly altered.

Durability

The durability depends on the care products used. Strong degreasing or layer forming products are unsuitable to use. Heavily used surfaces such as kitchen counters should be retreated once a year. Advice: Remove stain causing materials from impregnated surfaces immediately. For regular maintenance of kitchen counter tops we recommend Lithofin MN Easy-Clean. Storage Closed, cool and dry up to 3 years. Open containers should

be used without delay.

How to apply Lithofin MN Stain-Stop:

Please Note	Pour product in basin or bucket.	Evenly apply the product twice, using a lambswool applicator or roller.
Distribute then completely remove excess product, streaks and puddles.	Allow to dry. Do not walk on surface for approx. 45 minutes.	Protect from water for 24 hours.

Warning: Do not allow any excess to dry out - any excess must be removed within 20min!

Sealing Slate - The most common mistake we encounter with people using natural stone or slate is inadequate or poor sealing of the surface.  With slate we recommend to both enhance the colour of the slate and seal it from day to day grime you use MN Lithofin Slate Seal which is applied by sponging or brushing on.  We would normally recommend  that you lay the slate first, clean thoroughly before grouting then give it the first coat of sealer, then grout and seal again for a second time.  If a matt finish is the preferred option you could alternative use MN Lithofin Stainstop as this seals the surface but does not enhance or change it's appearance leaving it as natural as possible.  Welsh slate tends to have a more riven surface which if not sealed correctly increases the risk of ingress of dirt or whose, bleach residue on a riven surface is very difficult to remove completely.

You should only use slate sealant on riven slate, if you have a polished slate you should use MN Lithofin Stainstop.

Lithofin MN Slate-Seal	Lithofin MN Stain-Stop

For any questions regarding pretty much anything tile related, contact us!  Any way you wish too! @tilestop, shop@tilestop.co.uk, or leave a comment.

Brazilian Slate tiles are of the highest quality, not to be confused with cheaper hand split slates which do not give the same finish!

This Black slate gives a nice contemporary feel to any modern building but can comfortably be utilized in a more traditional setting.  Brazilian slate is carefully selected and is of the highest quality.  Flat back for easy level laying.

Size available:

Available now

Sealing: The most common mistake we encounter with people using natural stone or slate is inadequate or poor sealing of the surface.  With slate we recommend to both enhance the colour of the slate and seal it from day to day grime you use slate sealant which is applied by sponging or brushing on.  We would normally recommend  that you lay the slate first, clean thoroughly before grouting then give it the first coat of sealer, then grout and seal again for a second time.  If a matt finish is the preferred option you could alternative use stain-stop as this seals the surface but does not enhance or change it's appearance leaving it as natural as possible.  Welsh slate tends to have a more riven surface which if not sealed correctly increases the risk of ingress of dirt or whose, bleach residue in the riven surface which is very difficult to remove completely.

You should only use slate sealant on riven slate, if you have a polished slate you should use stain-stop.

If you need further advice you can email us, Tweet @tilestop or leave a comment.

Brazilian Green/Grey Slate.

From the quarries of Brazil.  This stunning slate tile has a deep, mild tone of green, the strong build characteristics and the timeless appeal of slate and the option of a polished or Riven surface.

Above: Polished - Perfectly smooth surface.

Below: Riven - "Anti-Slip", Ideal for bathroom floors.

Riven    -   Polished

Sometimes a simple border tile can make a huge impact on a room, a minimalist, plain white bathroom can be made stylish and interesting by adding a simple border tile.  As shown here with one of our most popular border: "Parchis Glass".

A great  trick for getting a unique border whilst saving money is to cut up mosaic sheets, on the back of most mosaics you'll find a mesh which allows the mosaic to bend and flex.  This can be cut very simply into the size you want using a stanley knife.  If you are after narrow borders, just 1 block in height, you could get many borders from just 1 sheet and since they are mosaics, they are flexible so can be used on a curved surfaces.

View our range of Border Tiles here and Mesh back Mosaics.

Truly timeless.  Welsh Slate tiles have been utilised around the world for their high quality and intrinsic beauty.  Straight from the mines of the Snowdonia mountains in Blaenau Ffestiniog, North Wales.  500 million years in the making.   Accept no imitations, Welsh Slate is the finest slate in the world.

These tiles are offer such great beauty and value for money that you can find them in places like the world business centre at Heathrow Airport and the Welsh assembly building in Cardiff.

Sizes Available:

• 300 x 300 mm - 11 Tiles per 1M²
• 300 x 600 mm - 5.5 Tiles per 1M²

Need custom size welsh slate? Contact us with your requirements!

Welsh Slate Flooring Buy at Tilestop