The tools and materials needed for the installation of the mosaic tabletop include drawing or sketching tools or instruments such as tracing or drawing or drafting paper, scale or ruler, trowel, rubber grout float, sponge; and plywood (about 3/4 inch tick piece to be cut to the size of the proposed surface) glass tile (which varies: selection shall include 1 inch glass tile), ceramic tile adhesive and tile grout respectively.
While the frame is optional, it can be made of metal, wood or using the mosaic tiles to achieve the same.
The most cherished part of this kind of artistic endeavor is the freedom or choice and creativity associated with selecting, designing ones own pattern.
Design or plan the full or complete pattern on a surface of the same size as the rough finished plywood surface (which is an under-layer for the incoming mosaic tabletop.
) Coat the adhesive to the plywood surface.
Cover a square foot at a time (this will help prevent the adhesive from drying before the placement of the tiles).
Starting from one end of the surface, press or install each tile into the adhesive firmly, securely allowing 1/8 inch mortar joint between each tile.
The first or initial one square foot installation shall serve as the sample for the rest of the work.
After the completion of the installation, allow 24 hours or a day for the adhesive and tile (the system) to set or bond.
Instructions on the grout package or manufacturer's literature shall be adhered to or followed to grout the surface using rubber grout float (squeegee) for the grouting.
Clean up or off any unwanted or remaining grout from the surface.