Can anyone give me some advice on mosaic for outdoors?

[Groveregg]

Hi, hoping that someone out there can help. I am planning a mosaic house number sign to be cemented into a stone wall outside our house - so it needs to be pretty long-lasting. I've spent the last few days scouring charity shops for china and then breaking it up, but I've just been reading online that this might not be suitable for outside. As an experiment I've soaked some pieces in water and then put them outside to see tomorrow if the frost has an effect on them. DH says that I'm fussing over nothing and that some of Gaudi's mosaics have been fine outside for over 80 years but Barcelona probably isn't as frosty as here...

Has anyone had any experience of china mosaics outside in the UK or does anyone have any advice for me? Should I ditch the china and if so what else should I buy? Many thanks in advance.

Well my DM has lovely speckled blue edges on her outside steps,made from smashed up dishes,bowls etc and set in cement. They've lasted 5 years so far, absolutely fine!

Would've thought as long as the cement really covers the edges of the pieces, so that water can't seep behind the glaze, and therefore expand in cold weather-it should be okay!

Will look lovely!

Thanks for that. The steps sound great. I have got my china in from the cold and it all seems ok so I might risk it. I'm just really keen for it to be very durable as the last stone wall was standing for at least 100 years and it would be sad to have to dismantle the new one just because of some damaged mosaics! And being a mosaic novice I'm a bit wary of my grouting skills in terms of weatherproofing...

Have just enquired.. it's not like grouting ,with that the pieces are laid first.With what you are doing the pieces are pressed into the cement- the cement pushes up slightly around the edge of each piece,but can be levelled out/wiped off with a damp sponge.Why not have a practice first somewhere else, if you're worried.

It'll be great!

Gaudi eat your heart out!

The best thing to use would be proper mosaic tiles (2 cm x 2cm) which are frostproof. You can get these in craft stores or on ebay or in (suprise, surprise) a tile shop. You also might find other kinds of frost proof tiles (the kind people use on a patio for instance or in an outside wall) at a tile shop. They will also sell frost proof grouting although grouting suitable for a shower (waterproof grouting) would probably be OK.

In short,go to a tile shop and tell them whatyou want to do. You will probably have to buy a little more than you need but they might have some bits and pieces (old samples?) that they will let you have cheaply.

p.s. you could try putting your tile pieces into the freezer and see if they crumble!

Also if you plan to put the mosiac on a board of some kind (rather than directly into the wall) you should use marine plywood which is waterproof or a freezerproof plate.

I am a full time mosaic artist so perhaps I can help. Glazed china of the sort you are talking about will not last the course. The base china under the glaze is porous and even the best grouting in the world will not seal it completely, frost will get into the tinniest holes. It will last a good few years but not as long as if you use glass or specific mosaic ceramic tiles. I am new to mumsnet and so don't know if I can give out e-mail addresses but I can tell you what to buy and where from if that's any help (assuming that you haven't already made it)