Mosaics designed and built by New Mexico Mosaics represent works of art that will last for generations.

All mosaic works are constructed from bases of exterior grade plywood and in some special cases, plywood and MdF (Medium Density Fiberboard).  The required thicknesses are achieved by adding layers of laminates of sheet materials.

The strength and stability of each base is guaranteed by incorporating heavy screws or dowels or both during laminating. The base unit is then hand sawn and routed into the shape of the desired design. Units having skirts, such as some floating** table tops, use both screws and dowels for the skirt attachments.

    All wooden surfaces are fully sealed with two coats of waterproof glue mixed 50-50 with water as a warp prevention treatment. Following grouting and cleaning, all mosaics are sealed with three coats of tile and grout sealer to prevent staining. The wooden areas of the unit not covered by mosaic materials receive two coats of exterior grade acrylic paint custom matched to the color of the grout. All table tops are fitted with either felt or heavy plastic pads to prevent rubbing between the metal and wood surfaces.

    The mosaic mirrors are fully finished, including the mirror backs and mirror sockets.  The surfaces where the mirror rests against the wood are covered by felt to prevent shift. All mirrors are secured in the socket by very high quality high strength clear silicon caulk.  Mirror backs are secured by steel tabs mounted with screws to enclose the mirror in its socket, so replacement of the mirror itself is quite simple if required and will not endanger the mosaic.

    All mosaic mirrors are hung using heavy wire and 'D-ring' mounts.  The wire and mounts are matched to hold weights up to 75 pounds.  Specially designed flush mounted mosaic mirrors can be commissioned.  These will require matching special wall mounts that may entail strengthening the wall surface at designated distances.  Smaller commissioned mosaic mirrors requesting a flush mount may not have these restrictions depending on the width of the frame in relation to its weight.  The wires are shrink wrapped to ensure they remain fully connected as well as eliminating any bare wire ends that snag or cut.

    Mosaic materials are attached to the frames using either conventional cement based adhesives or special clear adhesives.  Custom tooling is used to provide miter cuts if used in the design of the mosaic. All of the porcelain ceramic tile pieces are 'edge' sanded either by hand or on a belt sander to remove the 'beveled' edges inherent to cutting glazed tile. This process is very time consuming but well worth achieving the desired effect of smooth edges rather than jagged, jutting seams. Marble mosaics require the use of custom polishing equipment and cutters for edges and transitions. After sealing the completed work every piece of mosaic is hand polished by using a rotary polishing wheel.

© 2003, New Mexico Mosaics.  All rights reserved.

Last Updated:  01/29/2008 04:58 PM