Description
Formentera Puzzle Mosaic – Black-and-White Glass Ceramic
Formentera is a glass-ceramic mosaic with puzzle pieces in a contrasting black-and-white mix. The chips are arranged on sheets that are convenient to install.
The irregular black and white pieces alternate like an abstract game of chess on a glossy surface. Under water in the sun, the black adds depth and the white sparkles. A choice for bold pools, bathrooms and accent walls.
What you get
- Non-porous glass: water absorption of up to 0.04 %, so the material does not grow mould and does not hold stains or odours.
- Permanently in water: suitable for pools, jacuzzis, fountains and overflow channels.
- Colour-fast: does not fade in sunlight (ISO 4892) or when exposed to chemical products (class A per ASTM C650).
- Freeze and thaw: withstands freezing cycles (ASTM C1026), so it is also suitable for outdoor use.
- Strength: flexural strength of 55 N/mm² (EN ISO 10545-4) and a smooth, defect-free surface.
- Eco-friendly composition: 100 % recycled glass, free of lead, cadmium and other heavy-metal pigments.
Technical specifications
| Article no. | MOSFBC006 |
|---|---|
| Model | Formentera |
| Chip geometry | irregular polygonal pieces (puzzle) |
| Material | glass ceramic, made entirely from recycled glass |
| Backing | silicone (polyurethane) dots |
| Shade | contrasting black-and-white mix |
| Surface effect | gloss |
| Sheet size | 280 × 280 mm |
| Sheets per 1 m² | 13 |
| Gap between sheets (grout joint) | 2 mm |
| Water absorption | maximum 0.04 % (EN ISO 10545-3) |
| Flexural strength | 55 N/mm² |
| Frost resistance | confirmed to ASTM C1026 |
| Chemical resistance | class A per ASTM C650 |
| Immersion in water | can be permanent |
| Intended use | pools, jacuzzis, spa areas, bathrooms, shower cubicles, kitchen splashbacks |
| Unit per carton | 1 m² |
| Colour groups | white, black and multicolour |
The silicone dot backing
The Formentera sheets are bonded to a silicone (polyurethane) backing made of small dots. They hold the chips together without covering their backs, so more than 95 % of every chip remains free for the adhesive and the bond becomes very strong. The backing adds no thickness, withstands the adhesive and the grout, and does not warp in storage. The sheet bends freely around rounded walls, steps and corners.
| Comparison | Silicone dots | Mesh | Paper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adhesive contact with the chip | over 95 % of the back | limited – the mesh covers part of the back | full, but the paper is on the face |
| View while installing | chips and joints clearly visible | chips visible | chips hidden under the paper |
| Curved surfaces | easiest – flexible sheet | easy | difficult – the paper tears |
| At the end | nothing to remove | nothing to remove | the paper gets wet and is peeled off |
Where to use it
- interior lining of pools and jacuzzis
- statement walls in bathrooms and spa centres
- shower cubicles
- kitchen splashbacks
- decorative niches and columns
Grout and water
In water the mosaic looks richer: the part above the waterline shows the true colours of the sheet, while towards the bottom the tone deepens and sparkles in the sun. In a pool, choose an epoxy grout – it is watertight, chlorine-resistant and keeps its colour.
Installation step by step
- Substrate: smooth (unevenness of up to 2 mm over 2 m is permitted), dry, sound and dust-free. In a pool, an elastic cement waterproofing layer is applied first.
- Adhesive: white elastic cement adhesive of class C2TE S1. Glass is slightly translucent, and a grey adhesive would darken the colour.
- Application: with a 3–4 mm notched trowel over an area for 2–3 sheets.
- Laying: press the sheet down with a rubber float and keep the same 2 mm joint between the sheets.
- Cutting: where the sheet meets a corner or a nozzle, cut the dots with a utility knife and nip off single chips with special pliers.
- Grouting: after 24 hours. For a pool use an epoxy grout; remove excess with a damp sponge before it dries, and epoxy excess immediately with a special cleaner.
- Filling: only after the grout has fully cured, usually after 7 days.
Prepare in advance: white C2TE S1 adhesive, elastic pool waterproofing, grout (epoxy or waterproof), a 3–4 mm notched trowel, a rubber float, a utility knife, special pliers for glass mosaic, a sponge, a bucket and clean water.
Laboratory test results
- Water absorption – no more than 0.04 % (EN ISO 10545-3).
- Flexural strength – 55 N/mm² (EN ISO 10545-4).
- Surface free of defects on 100 % of the chips inspected (EN ISO 10545-2).
- Contact with chemicals – class A, no change (ASTM C650).
- Repeated freezing and thawing – no damage (ASTM C1026).
- Prolonged UV exposure – no change in colour (ISO 4892).
- Thermal expansion – withstood (EN ISO 10545).
How to keep it clean
A soft sponge or cloth and a neutral cleaning agent are enough. Do not use abrasives, wire brushes or acidic products on the grout joints. Keep the water at a pH between 7.0 and 7.4 and with suitable hardness – this prevents limescale from forming on the joints. Wipe the waterline regularly with a sponge and a special cleaner.
Frequently asked questions
What should I use to fix it?
Best with a white cement adhesive of class C2TE S1 with high elasticity, because it does not alter the true shade of the glass.
Which grout is suitable?
In a pool, epoxy grout is used.
Is it sold in less than a carton?
No. The mosaic is sold in cartons of 1 m², and it is best to order the whole quantity at once, so that all sheets come from the same production batch and their colour matches.
Does it withstand chlorine and salt?
Yes. Glass is inert to chlorine and salt, and the colour remains unchanged.
Can it go over old tiles?
Yes, if they are sound, clean and degreased and have been treated with a suitable primer. In a pool we recommend new waterproofing.
True colour and photos
Glass is a material that changes its appearance depending on its surroundings, so the shade on site may differ from what is shown in the photos and visualisations. The difference is influenced by display settings and brightness, the light (sun, clouds, lamps), the viewing angle, the water in the pool (depth, clarity, chemistry, reflection of the sky), the colour of the grout and adhesive, neighbouring surfaces and the specific production batch. Visualisations are for guidance only. Order the whole quantity you need at once and add 5–10 % for cutting – this way the sheets come from the same batch and the tone is uniform.
See also: Wellness, Pools and Equipment, Cladding and Paving, Pools, Pool Chemicals, Pool Accessories.
