Mosaic Tile in Cambridge, Kitchener-Waterloo & Guelph
Hi, my name is Hannad, and welcome to Club Ceramic Flooring — your trusted source for mosaic tile in Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph, Ontario.
Located at 15 Sheldon Dr in Cambridge, our 5.0-star Google-rated showroom features an extensive collection of mosaic tiles perfect for backsplashes, bathroom accents, shower floors, pool surrounds, and decorative feature walls.
Whether you’re a homeowner tackling your first mosaic project, a contractor specifying materials for a client, or a tile enthusiast looking for specialty tesserae, we’ll help you find exactly what you need.
Let’s talk honestly about mosaic tile — what makes it beautiful, where it works best, and what you need to know before you commit.
But first, here’s a quick tour of our showroom:
What Makes Mosaic Tile Different?
Mosaic tile isn’t just “small tile.” It’s a completely different category with its own aesthetic, installation requirements, and maintenance realities.
The Real Definition
Technically, mosaic tile is any tile smaller than 2×2 inches, typically mounted on mesh backing sheets (usually 12×12 inches) for easier installation. Common mosaic formats include:
- 1×1 inch squares – Classic, grid-like appearance
- Penny rounds – Circular tiles creating organic, textured patterns
- Mini hexagons – Geometric interest, modern or vintage depending on color
- Micro mosaics – Tiny tiles (3/8″ or smaller) for intricate detail work
- Irregular shapes – Pebbles, broken ceramic (crazy paving), artistic patterns
- Linear strips – Thin rectangles creating horizontal or vertical movement
Materials Matter
Mosaic tiles come in virtually every material:
Ceramic & Porcelain: Affordable, versatile, available in endless colors. Porcelain is harder (more difficult to cut) but more durable for floors and wet areas.
Glass: Luminous, reflective, perfect for backsplashes and accent walls. Glass doesn’t absorb water and stays vibrant forever. More expensive than ceramic but stunning under lighting.
Natural Stone: Marble, travertine, slate — each piece is unique. Requires sealing and more maintenance but delivers organic, high-end beauty.
Mixed Media: Combinations of glass, stone, and metal create depth and visual interest. Often used as accent strips rather than full installations.
Recycled Materials: Eco-friendly options made from reclaimed glass or ceramic. Sustainable and often beautifully imperfect.
Let’s Address the Grout Situation
Here’s what nobody tells you until it’s too late: mosaic tile means a LOT of grout lines.
A 12×12 section of 1-inch mosaic squares has roughly 144 individual tiles and hundreds of feet of grout lines. Compare that to a single 12×12 large-format tile with zero grout lines. This matters for three reasons:
1. Cleaning & Maintenance
More grout = more places for dirt, grease, mildew, and staining to occur. In kitchens, grease splatters settle into grout. In showers, soap scum and mildew love all those crevices. You’re not just wiping smooth tile anymore — you’re dealing with a textured surface that requires scrubbing.
Reality check: If you hate cleaning grout, mosaic tile in high-traffic or high-mess areas might frustrate you. Many people love the look of mosaic but didn’t consider the maintenance commitment.
2. Grout Color Choice Is Critical
With this much visible grout, your grout color dramatically affects the final appearance:
- White grout with colored mosaics creates high contrast, emphasizes the grid pattern, shows every stain
- Matching grout creates a seamless, monolithic look where tiles blend together
- Contrasting dark grout with light tiles creates bold definition, hides stains better
- Gray or taupe grout offers the best compromise — neutral, forgiving, doesn’t yellow over time
3. Sealing Is Non-Negotiable
Standard cement grout MUST be sealed, especially in showers, behind sinks, and around pools. Unsealed grout absorbs water, stains, and mildew. Reseal every 1-2 years. Or invest in epoxy grout (more expensive, harder to install, but doesn’t require sealing and resists staining permanently).
Where Mosaic Tile Shines
Despite the grout reality, mosaic tile is phenomenal in the right applications. Here’s where it works best:
Kitchen Backsplashes
Mosaic backsplashes add personality, color, and texture that flat tile can’t match. They work especially well as accent strips combined with larger field tile, giving you visual interest without overwhelming maintenance.
Pro tip: Use mosaic as a decorative band at eye level with easier-to-clean subway or large-format tile above and below. Best of both worlds.
Bathroom Accent Walls & Niches
A mosaic accent wall behind the vanity or inside a shower niche creates a focal point without covering every surface. Vertical strips of glass mosaic, a single accent wall, or a decorative border all deliver impact without going overboard.
Shower Floors
Small mosaic tiles are actually ideal for shower floors because the numerous grout lines provide slip resistance and conform beautifully to sloped shower pans. Penny rounds are especially popular for this application.
Important: Use mosaic rated for floors (higher slip resistance) and ensure proper waterproofing during installation.
Pool Surrounds & Waterline Tile
Glass mosaic tile is the gold standard for pools. It’s impervious to chlorine, doesn’t fade in sunlight, and delivers that classic luxury pool aesthetic. Waterline mosaics, steps, and spa accents all benefit from mosaic’s flexibility and water resistance.
Feature Walls & Artistic Installations
Want to create a mural, gradient effect, or decorative fireplace surround? Mosaic tile’s small scale allows for intricate designs and color blending impossible with larger tiles. This is where mosaic truly becomes art.
Where to Think Twice About Mosaic
Large Kitchen Backsplashes
Full-wall mosaic backsplashes look stunning in photos but can feel busy in real life, especially in smaller kitchens with lots of cabinetry and appliances competing for attention. And you’ll be cleaning a lot of grout.
Entire Bathroom Walls
Floor-to-ceiling mosaic in a shower sounds luxurious but requires serious maintenance commitment. Consider using mosaic strategically (accent wall, niche, floor) with large-format tile handling the heavy lifting.
High-Traffic Floors
Mosaic on floors means significant grout maintenance in hallways, entryways, and kitchens. The grout will discolor and need regular deep cleaning. Unless you’re going for a specific aesthetic (penny tile in a vintage bathroom, for example), larger tile is more practical.
Cutting & Installing Mosaic Tile
For DIY Enthusiasts
Mosaic tile is simultaneously easier and harder than large-format tile:
Easier because:
- Small tiles are flexible and conform to slightly uneven surfaces
- Mistakes are less noticeable since you’re working with tiny pieces
- Mesh backing keeps tiles aligned and speeds installation
Harder because:
- Cutting around outlets, corners, and edges requires patience and the right tools
- Ceramic is easier to cut than porcelain (ceramic nips cleanly; porcelain is rock-hard and can chip)
- Achieving consistent grout lines requires careful layout
- You’re grouting A LOT more surface area
Tools you’ll need:
- Tile nippers (wheeled nippers give better control)
- Wet saw for straight cuts (if working with porcelain or glass)
- Grout float
- Sponges (lots of them)
- Sealer applicator
Professional Installation
For showers, floors, pools, or intricate patterns, professional installation ensures proper waterproofing, correct slope, and clean grout lines. Our team can connect you with trusted installers throughout Cambridge and the KW Region.
Mosaic Tile Selection at Club Ceramic
Our Cambridge showroom carries mosaic tile in ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone from quality manufacturers including Avolis, CS (Canadian Standard), Home’s Pro, MSI, NAF, and Simba.
What You’ll Find:
- Classic 1×1 ceramic and porcelain squares in dozens of colors
- Glass mosaic sheets (subway, square, penny round, hexagon)
- Natural stone mosaics (marble, travertine, slate)
- Mixed-material designer mosaics
- Pool-rated glass tile
- Metallic and iridescent finishes
- Matte, glossy, and textured options
Pricing Reality
Mosaic tile ranges widely:
- Basic ceramic mosaics: $8-15 per square foot
- Glass mosaics: $15-30 per square foot
- Designer/mixed-material mosaics: $25-60+ per square foot
- Natural stone mosaics: $20-50 per square foot
Installation typically adds $15-30 per square foot depending on complexity and surface prep requirements.
Good news: Because mosaic is often used as accent material rather than covering entire rooms, the higher price per square foot is offset by smaller coverage areas.
Visit Our Cambridge Showroom
Mosaic tile looks completely different in person than in photos. The texture, light reflection, and grout line impact are impossible to judge online.
Visit our showroom at 15 Sheldon Dr to see hundreds of mosaic options. Bring photos of your space, paint samples, or countertop remnants so we can help coordinate colors and materials.
We encourage you to take samples home — see how glass reflects light in your bathroom, how colors look against your cabinets, and whether you love or hate the grout line density.
Mosaic Tile FAQs
Is mosaic tile hard to install?
Mosaic on mesh backing is surprisingly approachable for DIY, especially for backsplashes and small accent areas. The mesh keeps tiles aligned and installation moves fairly quickly. The challenge comes with cutting around outlets and edges, and the grouting process takes longer due to the surface area. Showers, floors, and pools should be professionally installed to ensure proper waterproofing and slope.
How do I clean mosaic tile and grout?
Daily: wipe with warm water and mild soap. Weekly: scrub grout lines with a soft brush and pH-neutral cleaner. Monthly: deep clean with a grout brush and specialized grout cleaner. Keep grout sealed to prevent staining. In showers, squeegee after each use to minimize soap scum and mildew buildup. Glass mosaic is easier to clean than textured ceramic.
Can I use mosaic tile on floors?
Yes, but choose mosaic rated for floor use with adequate slip resistance. Mosaic floors require more grout maintenance than large-format tile, especially in high-traffic areas. Penny rounds and small hexagons are popular for bathroom floors and shower pans because the grout lines provide traction and the small tiles conform to sloped drains.
What’s easier to cut: ceramic or porcelain mosaic?
Ceramic is significantly easier to cut and nip than porcelain. Porcelain is extremely hard and dense — it resists chipping but requires more force to cut and can crack unexpectedly. For DIY projects, ceramic mosaic is more forgiving. For floors and wet areas where durability matters, porcelain is worth the extra cutting effort.
Should I use mosaic for my entire backsplash?
You can, but consider combining mosaic with larger field tile. Use mosaic as a decorative accent strip, behind the stove, or as a border, with easier-to-clean subway or large-format tile covering the majority of the backsplash. This gives you visual interest without overwhelming maintenance.
What grout color should I choose?
Match your grout to your tile for a seamless, monolithic look. Use contrasting grout (dark with light tiles, or vice versa) to emphasize the pattern and define each tile. Light gray or taupe grout offers the best compromise — neutral, forgiving, and doesn’t show stains as badly as white. Avoid pure white grout in kitchens and showers unless you’re committed to regular cleaning and sealing.
Do I need to seal mosaic tile?
Glass mosaic doesn’t need sealing (glass is non-porous), but the grout does. Natural stone mosaics (marble, travertine) need both the tile and grout sealed. Ceramic and porcelain tiles don’t need sealing, but their grout does. Use a penetrating grout sealer after installation and reapply every 1-2 years, or invest in epoxy grout that doesn’t require sealing.
Where can I find mosaic tile in Cambridge?
Right here at Club Ceramic Flooring, 15 Sheldon Dr. We carry mosaic tile in ceramic, porcelain, glass, and natural stone from quality manufacturers. Visit our showroom to see hundreds of options in person, take home samples, and get expert advice on materials, installation, and maintenance.
Ready to Explore Mosaic Tile?
Mosaic tile is beautiful, versatile, and timeless — when used thoughtfully. Whether you’re adding a glass mosaic accent to your shower, creating a statement backsplash, or designing a custom pool surround, we’ll help you choose the right materials and understand what you’re signing up for.
At Club Ceramic Flooring, we give you the honest truth about maintenance, installation difficulty, and cost so you can make confident decisions. No surprises, just great tile and better service.
Visit Us Today
Club Ceramic Flooring – Vinyl, Hardwood & Tiles
15 Sheldon Dr, Cambridge, ON N1R 6R8
Phone: (647) 394-6030
Proudly Serving: Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph, and the Greater Toronto Area
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