Skye Mosaic – White-Green Glass-Ceramic Mix with Speckles

Description

Skye is a glass-ceramic cladding made from 100% recycled glass. Each chip has a 40 mm side and is 5.5 mm thick. The chips are arranged on sheets measuring 325 × 325 mm – ten sheets are needed for one square metre. The shade is “white-green with speckles” and the surface is glossy. Item code: MOSFBZL106.

What Skye looks like

The white background is dotted with tiny dark specks reminiscent of lichen on pale stone. This gives the surface a natural, effortless look. Under water the white softens like a light lagoon, while the greenish dots add depth. It suits pools surrounded by greenery, spa areas and walls with a natural character.

Skye in water

The upper part above the water reveals the true colours of the sheet, while further down the tone deepens and shines in the sun.

The grout colour changes the impression. A white grout emphasises the light background, while a grey-green one strengthens the natural effect.

Why choose this mosaic

• Non-porous surface. It hardly absorbs any water, so mould does not grow on it and no stains or odours remain.
• Made for immersion. It works in swimming pools, jacuzzis, fountains and overflow channels.
• Lasting colour. Neither sunlight (ISO 4892 test) nor cleaning chemicals (class A, ASTM C650) change it.
• Frost-resistant. It withstands alternating freezing and thawing (ASTM C1026), so it is also suitable outdoors.
• Strong. The smooth surface is free of defects, and its flexural strength is 55 N/mm² (EN ISO 10545-4).
• Eco-friendly. It is made entirely from recycled glass and contains no lead, cadmium or other heavy-metal pigments.

Silicone dot backing instead of mesh or paper

On the back, the Skye chips are joined by small dots of silicone (polyurethane). They do not cover the backs of the chips, so over 95% of the surface remains free for the adhesive and the bond is exceptionally strong.

The thickness of the cladding stays unchanged, and neither the adhesive nor the grout damages the backing. The sheets do not warp in storage and easily wrap around curved walls, steps and corners.

Technical specifications

Tests to standards

• EN ISO 10545-2: the surface is completely flawless;
• EN ISO 10545-4: in bending it withstands a load of up to 55 N/mm²;
• ISO 4892: after artificial UV ageing the colour is unchanged;
• ASTM C650: chemicals leave no traces (class A);
• ASTM C1026: freezing and thawing do not harm the mosaic;
• EN ISO 10545-3: it absorbs at most 0.04% water;
• EN ISO 10545: it is also resistant to thermal expansion.

Where it is used

• complete swimming pool cladding – coping, walls and floor;
• steps, benches and sun-lounger areas inside the water;
• jacuzzis, spa centres and steam rooms;
• bathrooms and showers, as well as decorative walls.

Choosing the grout

A white grout emphasises the light background, while a grey-green one strengthens the natural effect. For a swimming pool an epoxy grout is recommended – it is waterproof, does not react to chlorine and does not lose its colour.

Installation step by step

1. Substrate preparation. It must be dry, stable and dust-free, with a deviation from flatness of at most 2 mm per 2 m. In a pool, an elastic cement-based waterproofing is applied first.
2. Adhesive. Use a white elastic cement-based adhesive (class C2TE S1): the glass is partly transparent and a grey adhesive would darken the colour.
3. Application. Spread the adhesive with a notched trowel (3–4 mm) over an area sufficient for 2–3 sheets.
4. Bonding. Place the sheet and press it down over the entire surface with a rubber float. Leave a gap between the individual sheets equal to the other joints – 2 mm.
5. Cutting. Near corners and nozzles, the sheet is separated along the silicone dots with a utility knife, and special nippers are used to shorten a single chip.
6. Grouting. Grouting can start after 24 hours. Remove grout residue with a damp sponge before it hardens; traces of epoxy must be removed immediately with a specialised cleaner.
7. Filling with water. The water is let in after the grout has fully cured, which takes about 7 days.

Tools and materials

Besides the mosaic you will need an elastic waterproofing for pools, C2TE S1 adhesive in white, and grout – epoxy or at least waterproof. As for tools, take two trowels (a notched one with 3–4 mm teeth and a rubber one), a utility knife and special nippers for cutting glass mosaic; add a sponge, a bucket and clean water.

Approximate material consumption

For the adhesive, count roughly: 2 kg per m² for chips up to 25 mm, 2.5 kg for 40 mm and 3 kg for larger ones. The amount of grout (kg/m²) is obtained as 1.6 × C × D × (A + B) / (A × B), where A and B are the sides of the chip, C is the thickness and D is the joint width; here the values are 40, 40, 5.5 and 2 mm. In practice the quantities vary with the flatness and absorbency of the substrate, the brand of adhesive and grout, the trowel, the shape of the project and the skill of the installer. Confirm the calculation with the technical data sheets and with the contractor, and add a reserve for cutting.

Care and cleaning

• Clean with a soft cloth or sponge and a neutral cleaning product.
• Avoid abrasive powders, wire brushes and acidic products on the grout.
• Keep the water pH within 7.0–7.4 and its hardness within the norm – this prevents limescale from forming on the joints.
• Wipe along the waterline regularly with a sponge and a suitable product.

Frequently asked questions

Colour on screen and in person

Glass is a material with a rich play of light, so when viewed in person the tone sometimes differs from the photos. There are several reasons:

• the calibration and brightness of the screen you are viewing on;
• the lighting – daylight, clouds, lamps of different colours, morning or evening;
• the viewing angle, since glass reflects light differently;
• the water in the pool – its depth, clarity, chemical balance and the reflected sky;
• the grout, the adhesive and the overall size of the clad surface;
• neighbouring materials and plants – coping, paving, walls;
• the production batch, where the shade may vary slightly;
• the natural difference between individual pieces in mixes.

The pool and room visualisations shown are illustrative.

See also: Wellness, Pools and Equipment, Cladding and Paving, Pools, Pool Chemicals, Pool Accessories.